Agency receives Secretary of Defense Freedom Award and Patriot Award for exceptional service to Guard and Reserve members
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced that its Law Enforcement Section was recently recognized with two prestigious awards from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a program of the U.S. Department of Defense.
During a ceremony at Stonewall Resort on July 30, WVDNR Law Enforcement Colonel Bobby Cales accepted the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award on behalf of the agency. The award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.
“This recognition speaks volumes about the integrity and character of our Natural Resources Police officers not only in how they serve the public, but in how they support each other,” said WVDNR Director Brett McMillion.
During the ceremony, NRPO Corporal Gabriel Wood also received the Patriot Award, which recognizes individual supervisors for providing exceptional support to service members under their leadership.
“We’re incredibly proud of Colonel Cales, Corporal Wood and the entire Law Enforcement Section for the example they set as public servants and patriots,” said McMillion.
The ESGR award nomination process is open to all Guard and Reserve personnel or a family member acting on their behalf. The West Virginia Natural Resources Police were nominated by NRPO Isaiah Tuck, who also serves as a captain in the West Virginia Air National Guard. A national selection board composed of senior defense officials and business leaders select the award recipients in three categories: large business, small business and public service. The WVDNR’s Law Enforcement Section was selected as the public service winner for West Virginia and will have a chance to be recognized at the national level.
To learn more about the ESGR Freedom Award, visit www.esgr.mil/Employer-Awards. To learn more about the WVDNR’s Law Enforcement Section, visit WVdnr.gov/law-enforcement.