 When 1st Sgt. Joel Fermaglich deploys as a member of the U.S. Marine Reserves, he commands 160 Marines who are on the front line, carrying out U.S. policy at home and abroad. It is a huge responsibility, and he is grateful that he can focus on the task at hand – without having to worry about his civilian job back home.
Fermaglich works for Flexjet as a resource planner in flight operations, where he receives nothing but support and good wishes when he puts on his uniform. Recognizing that not all employers are as helpful, he nominated Flexjet for special recognition from the Department of Defense (DOD).
SERVICE ABOVE AND BEYOND
The DOD agreed, presenting honors to Fermaglich’s supervisor, Linda McCaskill, to the flight operations department and to the company as a whole. McCaskill and flight operations were honored with Patriot Awards, and Flexjet became one of just a handful of Texas-based companies to receive the Above and Beyond Award.
Kermit Gable, with the DOD’s office of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves, said, “We really appreciate supportive employers. Based on Sgt. Fermaglich’s nomination and on our own review, we wanted to recognize the outstanding efforts Flexjet makes to accommodate and encourage employees who serve their country.”
Gable says Flexjet also will be nominated at the end of 2010 for the Pro Patria Award, presented annually on a state-by-state basis to employers who have “provided the most exceptional support of our national defense through leadership practices and personnel policies that support their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.”
IN THE LOOP
Fermaglich has been deployed twice since joining the company and said that during both, Flexjet did everything possible to stand behind him. “I received regular updates – they really kept me in the loop – but at the same time I received no pressure, no stress. When my deployments were complete, their only question was, ‘When do you want to start?’ And I have started right back where I left off.”
He says that positive approach extends from top to bottom at Flexjet, including a human resources department that understands and is well-versed in handling employee deployments.
REPORTING FOR DUTY
Fermaglich’s first deployment, in 2003, lasted about 14 months. That service was in Arizona, supporting the Marines in a stateside role. In 2008, he deployed for 12 months to Afghanistan, and he expects a third deployment later in 2010.
“We at Flexjet are so proud of our employees who are willing to put their lives on the line to defend our country,” says David W. Gross, Flexjet Vice President of Operations. “We consider it an honor and a duty to support them in every way we can.”
|
