The Hill News

Employers across the nation are experiencing hardships in a time of economic uncertainty, trying to conduct business as usual with smaller work forces.  Those who employ members of the Guard and Reserve face even greater challenges, as they share their valuable military employees with our country during ongoing combat operations and widespread natural disasters. It is heartening to see the many Guard and Reserve employers remaining dedicated to supporting their service members and being cognizant of the value they bring to both the civilian workplace and our Nation’s security. Of these employers, 15 have been exceptional in their commitment to their military employees and have earned recognition by the Secretary of Defense for their efforts.

Secretary of Defense William Perry instituted the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award in 1996 under the auspices of Emplo! yer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).  ESGR develops and promotes a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees.  One way ESGR champions this mission is by formally recognizing the contributions made by our nation’s most compassionate companies.  Each year, 15 employers, from businesses large and small, and the public sector, are honored with the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award for their exemplary efforts on behalf of their Guard and Reserve employees. One of these outstanding employers is located here in Chantilly, Virginia.

Integrity Applications Incorporated (IAI) is a recipient of the 2011 Freedom Award and will be presented the award September 22, 2011 during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. IAI is veteran-owned business that actively seeks to hire veterans and current Guard and Reserve service members. Of the company’s employees, 44 percent are veterans, including four of ! the six members of the Board of Directors. IAI offers flexible! work sc hedules to help reserve component members meet their drilling and military schooling obligations, and finds ways to support families of deployed service members.

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