THE Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Guam-CNMI State Committee and employers of U.S. military service members received gratitude and honor on Monday as Gov. David M. Apatang proclaimed Aug. 4-8, 2025, as CNMI ESGR Week.
Apatang, Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, and other CNMI officials joined service members and veterans in thanking ESGR and employers from both the private and public sectors during the proclamation signing at 1:30 p.m. Monday in the governor’s conference room on Capital Hill.
In his proclamation, Apatang urged all residents, organizations, and employers to recognize the vital contributions of ESGR members and the employers who support them. He asked the community to express gratitude to the ESGR volunteers whose tireless efforts strengthen the fabric of the island community and the nation.
The governor personally thanked the ESGR Guam-CNMI Committee for continuing to support Commonwealth service members as they serve the country. As a veteran himself, he said, “My heart is with our veterans and those who are actively serving.”
Speaker Villagomez said that, as in past and recent sessions, the House of Representatives acknowledges and recognizes ESGR Week with resolutions. He personally thanked the ESGR committee and employers of servicemen and women for providing help to “all those that defend our freedom.”
Sgt. Stephanie Camacho of the U.S. Army National Guard thanked ESGR Guam-CNMI Area Chair Joann T. Aquino and Employer Outreach Coordinator Rose Igitol for always being supportive of guardsmen and reservists when they go on duty and whenever they need help from their respective employers. Even before her promotion to sergeant, Camacho said, as a team leader she often received many questions from soldiers about how “to do this, how to do that,” and she would always refer them to Aquino and Igitol.
Camacho urged service members who experience difficulties or misunderstandings with their employers to reach out to the ESGR committee so they can sit down with employers and make them aware of the service members’ rights.
“They’ve been big supporters. I always love them for that,” Camacho said.
Backbone of support
Combat veteran Kennedy Benjamin recalled that, as a full-time staff member of the U.S. Army Reserve, he learned about the challenges many service members and their families in the CNMI face due to the lack of active-duty components here compared to neighboring Guam.
Having been involved day in and day out for about a decade and having been in uniform himself, Benjamin said he has seen the struggles.
“We’ve got injured personnel, we are so far away from the flagpole, and we often feel like we’re forgotten,” he said.
But ESGR, he added, has been the backbone of the service members as the committee ensures employers understand their responsibilities and that service members understand their rights.
“So I just want to thank the ESGR committee again, Joann, Auntie Rose, and the entire ESGR team here and in Guam. I look at myself as an ambassador for every Reserve component, and even though I’m out, I still receive calls asking how to do this or that, especially regarding work,” Benjamin said.
ESGR makes a difference
Department of Public Safety Commissioner Anthony Macaranas, speaking as a veteran and public sector employer, thanked the ESGR committee “for being very supportive [of] us.”
“You make a difference in service members’ lives throughout their military careers,” he said.
“Without you, many service members would not be successful with their missions and objectives. I know how it feels when you try to seek help and don’t have it. You’ve got folks here who are really willing to help and fully support my officers while they are in the service, either in training or wherever they are deployed,” he added.
Zabrina Shai Cruz, technical staff and administrative services director, Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality expressed gratitude to the ESGR committee as an employer.
She said it has been an opportunity for employers to come to the table, understand their responsibilities, and recognize the rights of every service member.
Without those talks facilitated by ESGR, Cruz said she doesn’t think she would be capable of being the best employer of National Guard service members.
“With the help of the ESGR committee, we are able to protect those who protect us,” she added.
On behalf of the Guam-CNMI ESGR Committee, Aquino thanked the governor and the employers of service members and veterans:
“For your service, and to those who are currently serving, we thank you for your service as well. Thank you for your time and your presence here today; we really appreciate your support.”
Dependable
Beyond the uniform, service members are seen by employers as dependable team members in the workplace.
Victoria Deleon Guerrero, chief of staff to Department of Corrections Commissioner Anthony C. Torres, said they value service members as employees because of their strong sense of discipline, integrity, and commitment to service.
Their military training enhances their ability to lead, adapt, and perform well under pressure — qualities that directly contribute to the department’s mission.
“They are dependable team members who uphold high standards of professionalism and accountability,” she said.
Deleon Guerrero highlighted Samylyn Atalig of the U.S. Army Reserve as an employee who brings leadership, resilience, and strong work ethics to the Department of Corrections.
Atalig’s ability to stay mission-focused while remaining adaptable in dynamic environments “has made her an asset to the team. She exemplifies professionalism and leads by example, fostering a positive and respectful workplace culture.”
Deleon Guerrero said Corrections is proud to support employees who serve in the military.
“We accommodate training schedules, ensure job security during deployments, and maintain open communication to ease transitions between civilian and military responsibilities. We recognize the sacrifices made by our service members and are committed to honoring their dual service to the Commonwealth and the nation,” she said.
Atalig said she brings discipline, respect for leadership, patience, adaptability, obedience to orders, and command skills — all acquired from her military service.
One of the most meaningful parts of being in the U.S. Army Reserve, she said, is serving and defending her country while having the flexibility to further develop her skills and serve the CNMI.
Being close to her family on the island is a bonus, she added.
She is thankful for her employers’ understanding of her training dates and their support during necessary schedule changes.
Sgt. Camacho shared that a significant part of her National Guard service is realizing her childhood dream of becoming a soldier.
Although not on active duty, she said serving and defending on the home front is even better.
She also said that her civilian job allows her to expand her skills when not on drill status or Active Duty Orders or ADO.
Her employer, the Saipan Mayor’s Office, supports her by allowing the time needed to fulfill her duties as a service member.
Whether on drill status or ADO, she said her employer shows her utmost support.
As a National Guard member, Camacho said she applies effective leadership and management skills, adaptability, critical thinking, resilience, and the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines in her civilian job.
Sergeant 1st Class Tanya Songsong-Diaz of U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the military has given her the ability to take on new challenges and additional duties outside her normal responsibilities.
One meaningful aspect of service is continuing to serve her country part-time while maintaining a full-time civilian career.
She said CBP has been supportive by providing military leave and modifying work schedules to meet military demands.
CBP supervisory officer Ronald Muna said hiring National Guard and Army Reserve members brings significant value to the agency, noting their strong work ethics, discipline, leadership, teamwork, and adaptability.
Along with strong work ethics and leadership skills, Songsong-Diaz brings technical expertise and resilience to a changing work environment.
Her endless service reflects an unbreakable commitment to the country, Muna said.
CBP will continue to accommodate service members by modifying schedules and operational duties as needed, he added.
Gov. David M. Apatang and Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez pose with Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Guam-CNMI State Committee Area Chair Joann T. Aquino, ESGR volunteers and service members, and their employers after a proclamation signing ceremony at the governor’s office on Monday.
Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
Samylyn Atalig of the Department of Corrections, pictured in her military uniform.
Contributed photo
Sgt. Stephanie Camacho receives an award from her commander.
Contributed photo
Sgt. 1st Class Tanya Songsong-Diaz also works for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Contributed photo
