After tours, troops come home to jobs

MAT-SU — As citizen soldiers play an increasing role in two wars halfway around the world, what awaits upon returning home is the last thing they should worry about.

Dave Smith works as a mechanic for Diversified Tire in Wasilla. He joined the Army National Guard in 2005 because, “I always wanted to serve my country.”

After basic training, a deployment to Iraq and Kuwait, and a demobilization period in Mississippi, Smith was away from the shop for three years.

While guardsmen or military reservists are away on deployment or training, the civilian company they work for is not allowed to demote, fire or in any other way penalize them. The idea is they are treated just as they would if they were still at work, said Bradley Miller, a program support specialist for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

“Their seniority has to continue to grow. They can’t just be put on hold, and when they come back, they can’t be refused,” Miller said. “The employer can hire a temporary employee, but they are legally bound to hire that employee when they come back.”

Miller’s organization, commonly called ESGR, investigates claims against companies accused of violating these requirements, as well as claims of companies refusing employment solely based on military status.

While these regulations may sound onerous for the business, it is a small price to pay for someone’s service to their country, said Judy Snyder. Snyder is the co-owner of Diversified Tire and said Smith’s sacrifice is much greater than hers as a business owner.

“It’s a sacrifice for their wife, their kids, trying to keep the driveway plowed, change the oil,” Snyder said. “As an employer, it was the least we could do.”

When Smith was gone, his brother approached Diversified Tire to act as a replacement worker. The arrangement worked out, Snyder said, and now both Smith and his brother work at the shop on flex shifts.

“We were able to keep both of them on through flexibility on both of their parts. … I would encourage other employers to be flexible as well. Realize the big picture, the value of our folks being willing to serve,” Snyder said.

There is actually a benefit of employing military personnel, Snyder said. Smith has always been a great worker, but after he joined the National Guard, there was in increase in respect and honor that radiates through his life and work, she said.

For his part, Smith said the transition back into civilian life took some adjustment, but Diversified Tire has been nothing but supportive.

“I wish everybody had the same experience I did,” Smith said.

In fact, Alaska has a fairly good record for employing reservists and guardsmen. Jamie Abordonado, Miller’s co-worker at the ESGR, said there were currently no open cases against employers in Alaska.

To show their willingness to employ service men and women, Diversified Tire joined the city of Wasilla and Lazy Mountain TV in signing ESGR statement’s of support.

The ceremony was attended by U.S. Sen. Mark Begich and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor Raymond Jefferson.

The two companies and the city join Matanuska Electric Association, the Alaska Department of Public Safety, Wells Fargo Bank, JD Mining Services, Meca Employment Connection, Denali Alaska Federal Credit Union and Larson Elementary School as willing signatories in the past year, Miller said.

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.