The Office of the District Attorney, 18th Judicial District has been selected as a finalist for the 2017 Freedom Award.
This award is given annually by the Department of Defense to employers for their support of employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve. Nominees represents large and small employers from almost every industry, as well as from state and local governments. A national selection board comprised of senior Department of Defense officials and business leaders select the award recipients.
This year there were 3,064 nominations nationwide. Among the 30 finalists, nine public sector employers are competing to win the award in that category.
The Office is nominated for going above and beyond the minimum requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and provides exceptional benefits, compensation, leave practices, and support of all its active military members. District Attorney George H. Brauchler publicly supports the veterans and service members in the office.
The office provides preference to members of the Guard and Reserve when hiring new employees; if equally qualified candidates apply for the same position, the service member is always selected for employment.
The office’s preference for—and recruitment of—military members is best demonstrated by the growing number of actively drilling Guard and Reserve service members. The DA’s Office has 85 prosecutors, and at the time DA Brauchler was elected, the office had no actively drilling Guard or Reserve employees. Today, there are eight employees serving in the Guard or Reserve, including seven prosecutors. All of those service members have deployed at least once since Sept. 11, 2001.
“It goes without saying that the men and women who chose to serve our country in the armed forces deserve our thanks and support. But I know from experience that those in the Guard and Reserve have taken on a special commitment,” said District Attorney George H. Brauchler. “They have agreed to integrate their service into a world of jobs and careers that aren’t always flexible and appreciative. It behooves all of us to do everything we can to support them in their commitment to the safety and protection of our communities, and that includes the civilian workplace.”
He added: “Few people come better equipped to serve their communities in such a significant and sensitive area as that of justice. I am proud to have created the most veteran- and military-friendly office in government. We do all we can to ensure our office welcomes and encourages Guard and Reserve members in their service to our great nation.”
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