Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter is set to honor the Maryland State Police and a building company in Salisbury next week for their support to employees who serve in the National Guard and military reserve units.
The State Police and Delmarva Veteran Builders will be recognized at a ceremony at the Pentagon on Aug. 26, the Defense Department said.
"Without the unfaltering support of employers like them, the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve would not be able to fulfill their vital roles," Carter said in a statement.
Chris Eccleston, the founder of Delmarva Veteran Builders, said he was surprised to receive the award — especially since so many much larger employers are also being recognized. Eccleston is a Navy veteran and said he started his company in part to help others get jobs. Two thirds of his 20 workers are either veterans, National Guardsmen or reservists, he said.
"I really credit our growth and how fast we've grown with that type of workforce," Eccleston said.
Employers have certain legal obligations to reservists who are called up for training and active duty, but extended time away can put a strain on businesses and the military seeks to acknowledge those that take extra steps to help reserve troops integrate their civilian and military careers.
Eccleston said he has one employee who is on active duty in the Middle East at the moment. "It takes a little extra planning on our part but it's kind of what we signed up for," he said.
Maryland State Police Superintendent Col. William Pallozzi said the department has more than 140 employees who are reservists.
"The dual military and police careers of many in the Maryland Department of State Police is proof of the commitment to service to others the men and women of our Department are known for," he said in a statement. "We will continue to do our duty to support our troopers and civilian employees who also serve in the military and have given so much in defense of our nation and the freedoms we enjoy."
Thirteen employers from other states will also receive awards.
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