Leaders thank supportive bosses

National Guard, Nov 2002

Air Force Secretary James G. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P Jumper are sending joint letters and lapel pins to Air Guardsmen and Air Force Reservists in recognition of their employers' sacrifices made in support of the war on terrorism.

"The real key to the Thank the Employer' program is gathering information from our airmen," said Brig. Gen. Ed Tonini, an activated Kentucky Air National Guardsman working with Air Force public affairs. "We need every commander and supervisor to make the case, face-to-face, to their people."

So far, the Air Force has collected data from more than 34,000 of the country's 190,000 citizen airmen.

"Sending recognition to employers acknowledges the 'Thank the Employer' program's value as a recruiting and retention tool," Tonini said.

"We cannot do the job of the Air Force without supportive employers, he added. "So we're reaching out to them to thank them and let them know they're full partners in what we're going through right now."