The Office of the Secretary of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) has recognized the Judicial Branch as a patriotic employer in a special presentation Tuesday at the N.C. Judicial Center. The ESGR awarded Chief Justice Mark Martin, NCAOC Director Judge Marion Warren, and Assistant Director David Hoke with the Patriot Award for "contributing to national security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in America's National Guard and Reserve force."

The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support service members through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed. Many judicial members serve in the Guard and Reserves and the Judicial Branch and NCAOC help manage schedules to enable employees to serve in these dual capacities. The ceremony was hosted by ESGR volunteer, Ken Oppenheim. The Judicial Branch / NCAOC was nominated by Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Ed Wilson, who serves Judicial District 17A and as a Major with the 134th Legal Operations Detachment at Ft. Bragg, and Tom Murry, who serves as Chief Legal Counsel for Governmental Affairs and staff judge advocate in the N.C. National Guard 113th Sustainment Brigade.

Chief Justice Martin also signed the Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve, pledging that the N.C. court system will honor the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and continually recognize and support our service members in peace, in crisis, and in war.

Read more at ESGR.