ESGR keeps refueling jobs for the Reserves and vets

Before you ask - Yes, I took that photo.

The ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve) called one day - awhile ago actually - asking if my Tuesday, August 10, was open. They followed up quickly with an invitation to what they call a "Boss Flight." This happens when the ESGR extends a thank you to employers whom hired a reserve member, the National Guard, or - I believe - a vet. The employee nominates their "boss" ... then if selected they have an opportunity to ride in a massive Boeing KC-135R refueler from the 128th Air Refueling Wing Base out of Milwaukee, Wisc. The foundation called, unfortunately the original person had to pass on the chance forwarding the opportunity to lucky me.

A bit about the plane

The stats are incredible ... but, first let me give you a quick story: Round trip took us roughly an hour and 15 minutes. Our destination was some 85 or so miles away, 27,000 feet above Oshkosh, Wisc. A note here, it takes about an hour and a half without traffic to drive there ... and traffic getting there is notoriously aggravating with road construction happening nearly year-round save for the cold and rainy days.

It took us 7 minutes to get there. (Let that sink in.)

As promised, the stats:

• 130-foot, 10-inch wingspan
• 41-foot, 8-inch height
• 530 mph Top Speed (at 30,000 feet)
• 50,000-foot ceiling with a range of 11,192 miles
• Crew: two pilots, one inflight refueling specialist
• Cost: $53 million (for one)

The plane costs $1 a second to fly - not including crew, maintenance, etc. That's insane.

The group consisted of pretty good range of business small and large. There was a dentist, a handful of manufacturing companies, the president of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, the lead of ice-core drilling from UW-Madison (like Antartica and Greenland, not ice fishing), and Jake Leinenkugel from the brewing company.

A local news station even covered the event. I'm not interviewed, rest easy.

ESGR said they get by with a handful of actual employees. To my surprise, they're funded just miraculously meager by the federal government. On top of that the foundation runs mostly by volunteers. Jake himself threw his name into this "hat." (Probably what caused me to go out soon after and buy a case.)

Part of the conversation educated me about a Hero 2 Hired program. Listen-up, this is cool (and sad knowing that this effort is going on and yet so little monies is being sent to it.) In short they assist veterans and their spouse to find a job. AND vice versa. Hey vet, looking for a employment? We'll help. Hey employer, looking for a vet? We'll help. In the world of networking and needing to know the right people for the right opportunities this sounds too good to be true. But it is, and the companies were given a "statement of support" to sign. 

The parent company of Officer.com (and SouthComm Law Enforcement Media) already has one - they signed it months ago.

I'm not an employer exactly, but now I've got one too. I'd take a photo and share, but it's got my signature on it. Making this statement wasn't difficult - my grandfather is a vet of WWII, my uncle is a vet of Desert Storm, my father-in-law is a vet, my cousin is, etc. etc. ...

To the ESGR and the 128th out of Milwaukee, Wisc.,

You ever need another person to fill up a seat, feel free to call me up. It's an once-in-a-lifetime experience that'll be difficult to forget.

Thank you.

-J