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Show April 27. 2000 Security forces squadron gets new leadership by Airman First Class Lara Gale 419th FW Public Affairs Office 419th Security Forces Squadron welcomed new commander in a ceremony here April 9. The Maj. Jeffrey Nusser succeeded Capt. John Grubb, who moved to his new assignment as a maintenance officer for the 419th Fighter Wing. While he may be the wings newest squadron commander, Major Nusser is no stranger to the 419th FW and Hill Air Force Base. Previously, he served with the 419th Civil Engineer Squadron from 1993 to 1995 and again for about seven months after returning from an overseas tour last year. When asked his thoughts on his latest assignment at Hill AFB, Major Nusser emphasized his good fortune to be at a base with a strong Reserve unit and looks forward to the challenge of commanding. ' This is First opportunity to work with security forces, he said. Its kind of intimidating, but Im excited to come to a squadron with such excellent recommendations from previous commanders, said Major Nusser. According to the major, the confidence he has in the security forces members will allow him to focus on becoming familiar with the duties associated with his new position. This is such a strong unit, he said. I just have to keep things going along in the same direction. During the ceremony Col. Gerald Yearsley, 419th Support Group commander praised the squadron and encouraged Major Nusser to take a squadron of excellence even higher. Major Nusser, a graduate of officer training school received his commission in December 1984. He spent eight years on active duty including an Air Force Institute of Technology tour at Auburn University Ala., an assignment to Kelly AFB, Texas, and a position working in support of the Utah Test and Training Range here at Hill. Major Nusser holds a bachelors degree in chemistry from East Oregon University in addition to the bachelors degree in electrical engineering he earned while at Auburn. His masters degree, also in electrical engineering, is from Utah State University. In his civilian job, Major Nusser serves as an environmental program manager for the maintenance division of the Aircraft Directorate Ogden Air Logistics Center. Major Nusser and his wife, Linda, reside in Layton. They have two sons, Brock, and Drew, as well as two daughters, Lisa and Danielle. Jeffrey Nusser, 419th Security Forces Squadron, gets pointers before firing the 6 recently. Maj. M-1- ESGR uses Bossfift to emphasize Reserve mission Guard and invaluable. Reserve missions was Another guest viewed the Bosslift as further justification for supporting Reserve training requirements. from benefit the Employers their as a staff result of of development Reserve training and experience, said Brad Slater, Weber County Sheriff. Many of the skills Reservists earn in the military environment are easily transferable to the civilian workplace. In my opinion, I have a better cop if that individual has military training in his or her background. Sheriff has Slater Currently, approximately 28 Guardsmen and Reservists under his supervision. With such a large contingency of service members on his staff, he often has to work schedules around his employees military obligations. In fact, he recently approved 18 months leave for one individual on his staff to attending paramedic training. Although many reservists perform their training on their own time (mainly evenings and some weekends), they are k also asked to perform a stint on active duty each year. In several two-wee- cases, reservists have used their civilian holiday time for this training. The inherent challenge in meeting the demands of both jobs often results in the reservists decision to leave the military. This may lead to the loss of key individuals often as they are entering the junior leadership levels. Consequently, the experience level in the Reserve suffers and costs for maintaining an experienced force increases. Although the employer is asked to work with employees who remain an active status in the Guard or Reserve, the reservist is equally responsible for communicating regularly with employers regarding military training requirements. Its a two-wa- y street, said Maj. Rene affairs officer for the 926th Poche, public Too Fighter Wing at New Orleans. often we see military members informing their civilian bosses about deployment and temporary duty assignments just days before theyre scheduled to leave. That creates an unnecessary strain on the employer and can often have a negative impact on the bottom line of the business. We owe our employers an opportunity to have a voice in the process. Col. Brod Vellion, 159th Fighter Wing commander, fields a question from an audience memeber during the Utah Bosslift to New Orleans earlier this month. Col. Vellion, whose unit flies Eagles for the Louisiana National Guard, met with employers of Guardsmen and Reservisits to discuss the 159th FW mission. F-- 15 by Capt. James R. Wilson 419th FW Public Affairs Office NEW ORLEANS - Utah business leaders an close and got up personal view of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve cajun style during a Bosslift to New Orleans April The trip, which was sponsored by the Utah Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve committee, provided approximately 40 state representatives a critical look at why their support is vital to the Reserve mission. The Bosslift program is one of several initiatives aimed at explaining the role of National Guard and Reserve forces in supporting defense strategies. The guidelines allow selected employers and civic leaders to visit military facilities in and out of state to observe the training regiment of the Reserve components. Bosslifts have tremendous value for our said Brig. Gen. (ret.) Boyd employers, Anderson, Chairman of the Utah ESGR. First and foremost, it gives the employer firsthand information on what the Reservists 5-- 7. do when they are away from their civilian occupation. Utah employers were greeted by various militaiy commanders upon their arrival to Naval Air Station New Orleans a joint base representing all four branches of the Armed Forces as well as the Coast Guard. Among other things, the 'group met and spoke with members who fly and maintain the Navys 3 Orion aircraft, the Marines AH-- 1 Super Cobra helicopters, and the Air Forces 0 warthog aircraft. In addition, the Coast Guard wowed their visitors with a comprehensive search and rescue demonstration off the waters of Lake Ponchatrain. Tom Bullock, owner of a printing agency in Salt Lake City and guest on the trip, was so impressed with the trip that he has since as a volunteer representative of signed-o- n ESGR. As a veteran of the military, I was profoundly impressed with the readiness and capabilities of all the units w'e visited during the trip, said Mr. Bullock. believe in the Citizen Airmen and the ideals they represent The ability to learn more about the various P-- A-1- 1 0 crew chief from the 926th Fighter Wing discusses his job with a visitor on the tarmac in New Orleans. The guest was one of more than 35 members community selected for a Utah Employer Support for Guard and Reserve bosslift recently. An A-1- |