Employers from across Montana will be invited to participate in an event in Kalispell on Sept. 25, which will be put on by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The event is intended to recognize employers who have been especially supportive of their National Guard and Reservist employees, and will consist of an informational tour of Fort Harrison, a National Guard meal, and a flight in an actual National Guard helicopter. Working within the organization as a volunteer and chair in ESGR is Plains resident and retired Reservist Ken Matthiesen.

ESGR is an organization that acts as a facilitator and mediator between prospective employers and potential employess who are Guardsmen or Reservists. For members of the National Guard or Reserve, members of the organization often work as advocates, and are there as a resource and to explain the rights they have as active duty members of the military. For employers, ESGR is a source of information about the laws regarding active duty members of the military and their emloyment. The organization also offers insight into what a member of the National Guard or Reserve goes through in fulfilling his or her active duty responsibilities.

Balancing the demands of a full-time position and the obligations that come with service in the Armed Forces can be challenging. So, ESGR organizes these events, which are also known as BossLifts, as a way for Guardsmen and Reservist employees to show their appreciation.

“A soldier will have the chance to recommend a boss to participate,” Matthiesen said.

For Matthiesen, the reward of the event is seeing the responses of those who participate in the helicopter flight.

“I have never seen anyone get off the aircraft who isn’t smiling,” Matthiesen said..

Initially in the organization of the event, one concern was that a helicopter flight would be an unnecessary expenditure of National Guard resources. As it happens, organizers found a way to kill two birds with one stone.

“The flight will tie into the National Guard’s helicpoter pilot training,” Matthiesen said. “So, the funds would have been spent anyway.”

The BossLift has come to provide an excellent training situation for National Guard pilots and crews, as well as a unique opportunity for employers to be recognized for their support.

“It is a lot more bang for the buck,” Matthiesen said, “and is always a lot of fun.”