Civilian employers of Reservists are more likely to be supportive and have a good employer and employee relationship when they have a clear understanding of the Reservists' mission and obligations. One of the best avenues for providing this understanding is through the 446th Airlift Wing's Employer Orientation Day.

The next employer orientation day is Oct. 5.
Reservists can nomination their immediate supervisor, human resources specialists, or an executive or owner of the business they work for, to spend the day with the wing learning about the Air Force Reserve, the 446th Airlift Wing and its missions, and how Reservists serve. There are only 40 slots available and are filled on a first come, first served basis. Reservists may nominate only one employer. Once all 40 slots are filled, a standby list will be maintained in the event we have any participants cancel.

The Oct. 5 employer orientation day itinerary may differ from previous events due to budget cuts. Typically the day includes demonstrations of equipment used by Reservists to protect themselves from chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear attacks, explosive ordnance disposal techniques and equipment, and security forces. Additionally, a demonstration of the wing's aeromedical evacuation and aeromedical staging missions will be provided.

In the past employers and their sponsoring Reservists also flew on a two-hour training flight in the C-17, which includes an airdrop demonstration and a combat offload. It has not yet been determined if this activity will be incorporated into the itinerary for October.

Reservists interested in sponsoring their employer for the Oct. 5 employer orientation day need to submit an application to the 446th AW Public Affairs Office no later than Sept. 6. The application can be downloaded from the 446th AW public Web site (see related tools accompanying this article) or the wing's SharePoint page. Or, stop by the public affairs office to pick up an application. For more information, call 446th AW/PA at 982-3330.