ESGR Patriot Award Presented to Minnesota Manager of Guard and Reserve Employees
General Dynamics Mission Systems
We develop mission critical solutions for those that lead, serve and protect the world we live in.
During the week of Veterans Day, the military community within General Dynamics Mission Systems was recognized across many of the sites, throughout the United States. For one small team in Bloomington, Minn., the day was extra special as Joe N., a systems administrator, was able to present his manager, Randy K., with an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award.
“It was important to me to be able to nominate Randy because of the incredible job he does in not only managing a team with two members of the Guard and Reserve, but he himself must stay technically proficient and get down in the dirt of resolving systems issues,” said Joe, the 18-year veteran of the Minnesota National Guard. “There have been times we have both been gone for duty at the same time and the team steps up to manage the workload.”
The ESGR Patriot Award is awarded to individual supervisors, not to an entire staff or organization. An employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve, or the spouse of a Guard or Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors and bosses for support provided directly to the nominating service member and his or her family.
“It was definitely a surprise to get the award, and I appreciate the recognition,” said Randy, a military dependent of a U.S. Army veterans and a U.S. Air Force veteran himself. “But it’s also important to recognize the dedication from the rest of the team that is always willing to take on additional workloads when a deployment or long mandatory training needs to happen. We have a great team!” To help relieve the stress on the Guard or Reservist, many times managers will take the time to sit down with the employee and meticulously go through all the current tasks and projects they have and make sure they are covered during their time away, greatly alleviating the stress of the military member.
“I have been with General Dynamics Mission Systems for seven years and have been working with the military customers we support since I started,” said Randy, who is also a proud U.S. Navy Dad to an active-duty sailor. “It means a lot to me to have them on the team. Being able to support our Guard and Reserve employees is just another great way that General Dynamics Mission Systems supports the warfighter. I am honored and privileged to work with these dedicated military employees every day.”
Assistant Vice President Technology at AT&T | Strategic Division Chief 854th Combat (Cyber) Operations Squadron | Active Top Secret/SSBI Clearance | Cybersecurity Leader
2 天前The recognition of veterans and reservists by companies like General Dynamics Mission Systems truly resonates with me. As someone who has served, I know the unique leadership, technical expertise, and adaptability that Guard and Reserve members bring to the workplace. These skills, developed through military service, are game-changers for any team or organization. Guard and Reserve members excel under pressure, lead diverse teams, and approach challenges with discipline and determination—qualities that drive success in civilian roles. Seeing companies like General Dynamics honor that through programs like the ESGR Patriot Award is inspiring and shows the impact of valuing military-connected employees. When companies honor and support Guard and Reserve employees, they’re not just thanking them for their service—they’re building stronger, more innovative teams. From my perspective, this kind of recognition fosters respect, loyalty, and motivation, creating a culture where employees bring their best. Recognizing their contributions, especially during Veterans Day, is a reminder of how much they bring to the table—and how much they deserve our support.