Assistance Chain

Employer's internal Human Resource Manager or Legal Counsel
Guard/Reserve Unit Commanding Officer or NCO
ESGR Representative- Local, or National
Dept. of Labor (VETS) representative
Private Counsel

It's important that Reservists/Guardsmen and their employers know whom to go to for assistance.  For the Reservists/Guardsmen, there are several FREE alternatives to a private attorney:

• Larger companies will frequently have a legal counsel, or a human resources manager who is familiar with the law, especially at firms where Reservists/Guardsmen have historically worked. The first step for a Reservist or Guardsman, then, is to appeal to their own company HR manager (or legal counsel). The employer could also use this as a first step.

• If the issue remains unresolved, the next contact level is a member of the military Reserve or Guard unit, either the unit's leading Non-Commissioned Officer, the Commanding Officer or Military Legal Officer.

• The next step would be the area's ESGR volunteer.  If the volunteer's name and number are not made available at the Reserve Center or Armory, one can visit www.esgr.org .  Click on ESGR Resources and Committee Contacts to choose the appropriate State information.  In addition, the National Ombudsman staff can be reached at 1-800-336-4590.

• If the ESGR Mission One office, or ESGR Ombudsman cannot resolve the problem, it will be recommended that the matter be referred to the local Department of Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service office.

• After these venues have been exhausted,  the remaining course of action is the hiring of a private attorney.