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| Members of the 198th Regional Support Group, Arizona Army National Guard and
their employers during an ESGR Boss-Lift at Florence Military Reservation on April 4, 2009. |
Florence, Ariz., April 4, 2009 — Eight sand colored National Guard humvees sped down a long
dirt and gravel road kicking up a cloud of dust, creating the likeness of a sandstorm. Rolling one after
another, the vehicles resembled a convoy in a war torn Middle Eastern country rather than taking in the
scenery of the peaceful Sonoran Desert near Florence. This was just the type of transportation the occupants
of the humvees were hoping for. After much preparation, 14 employers of Arizona National Guardsmen participated
in the 198 RSG Boss Lift.
At 0900 in Phoenix, these employers embarked on a mission of understanding, acceptance, and appreciation of
their respective Citizen-Soldier employees. As the blades of the two Black Hawk helicopters beat in synchronization
on the tarmac, the anticipation of the day began to mount for each participant. By 0930 the choppers touch down and
each employer left their aircraft like a scene out of a movie. Each person swiftly debarking, their heads tucked low,
with the wind of the blades creating a stir around them; many of them with cameras in-hand trying to snap the perfect
picture to freeze the moment in time.
Soldiers easily found their respective counterparts, and greeted them warmly. It was immediately evident that the
employers, who are the supervisors at work, were seeing their employees in a new light, and different garb.
The concept of the boss lift has been a long standing tradition that enables Citizen-Soldiers to thank a
supervisor or someone from their 9-5 job for being supportive of their Guard service. This event also allows
the employer to gain a broad perspective about what the National Guard is about and what it means for their
employee to be a Soldier.
Employer Support of Guard and Reserve (ESGR) representatives were also present to acknowledge the employer
participation, and emphasize the importance of a partnership and understanding between Citizen-Soldiers and the
companies they work for.
A tight schedule was methodically constructed by Major Matthew Stubbs, under the watchful eye of veteran boss
lift planner and current commander LTC Harold Jones. "We're a combat service support unit so we are not sexy
like aviators or field artillery, so we really tried to find some things that we think bosses would be interested
in", a light hearted Jones commented. Riding in a Black Hawk helicopter, firing an M-16 rifle, traversing the
convoy lane training course, dining on a Meal-Ready-to-Eat (MRE) for lunch, were a few of the novel activities
Jones had scheduled.
Employers also received various types of briefings throughout the day and were introduced to various kinds of
military protocol, as a part of their experience. Bridger General Timothy Phillips, Land Component Commander of
the Ariz. Army National Guard and an avid supporter of this program, made note that "The goal is to show the
dual service role and that the Guard is no longer a hobby, but another full time job". When asked if there was
one thing he hoped employers would gain from this experience, Phillips replied "to understand a little better
what it is like to be a Soldier."
Barbara Behrens, an environmental survey manager with Pinal County, said that she was curious about what the
Guard really did and felt that spending the day with her Citizen-Soldier would be a "really cool adventure."
It most certainly was for Behrens, who on her first try hit the center of her target while shooting an automatic
grenade launcher. "It is a lot more complicated than I ever imagine and they are really well organized,
I wasn't expecting this" she stated.
Overall, the day's evolutions transitioned smoothly, an exemplary display of military efficiency. The employers
experienced all the sights, sounds, smells, and sensations of a day in the field as an Arizona National Guard member
and the Soldiers proudly shared a piece of themselves with their "boss". Members of each camp clearly
developed a greater respect for each other's responsibilities and the employers cultivated a better sense of the
intensity of a drill weekend. Exposure to events such as this boss lift give an employer a unique glimpse into a
world that few civilians get to see in such an up close and personal manner. A broad perspective indeed.
