BRIGADIER Gen. Mark W. Siekman commended the Guam-CNMI Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve state committee for its work on behalf of Reservists, National Guard members and their families.
The commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 9th Mission Support Command, Siekman was the special guest at the “Lunch with the Boss,” a luncheon gathering of Reservists, National Guard members and their employers at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan on Thursday.
Joining them was Mike Sablan, a civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army. Sablan, a licensed certified public accountant, is vice president of Triple J Enterprises.
Also present were ESGR CNMI area chair Rita A. Sablan, State Committee chair Retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel Ray Llaneta, vice chair Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Benny Paulino, Guam ESGR volunteer and U.S. Army veteran Norma Castillo, ESGR outreach coordinators Rose Igitol and Joshlyn Lieto Blas, Rota outreach coordinator Vince Calvo, ESGR CNMI Ombudsman Joann Aquino and volunteer and U.S. Army veteran Dayna Sunderland.
In an interview, Siekman reiterated that ESGR “does wonderful work for soldiers and their families.”
He said it is extremely important for him to personally thank them.
ESGR’s support for reservists and National Guard members and their families “helps us perform our mission in the service of this great nation,” he added.
In her remarks, ESGR CNMI area chair Rita A. Sablan said, “We are here for a good reason, and that is to continue our collaboration and teamwork in supporting all of our employers that support the Guard and Reserves, and to also advocate for ESGR’s mission which is to develop and promote supportive work environments for service members in the reserve components through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws.”
She assured employers that ESGR is “here to work with you to ensure that our servicemembers are taken care of, and that you as an employer, a supervisor, or human resource officer will understand the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, a federal law passed in 1994 that protects military servicemembers and veterans from employment discrimination on the basis of their service, and allows them to regain their civilian jobs following a period of uniformed service.”
Brig. Gen. Mark W. Siekman, commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 9th Mission Support Command, delivers his remarks during a “Lunch with the Boss” for Reservists, National Guard members and their employers at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan on Thursday.
