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U.S. TRANSCOM Reservist submits employer for Above and Beyond award, company wins

  • Published
  • By Bob Fehringer
  • U.S. Transportation Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Medals, certificates, pins, plaques and shadow boxes are among the items presented to the men and women of our armed forces for jobs well done. But seldom do we hear of civilian employers receiving awards recommended by military members.

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Jake Hossfeld, a mobilized Reservist in U. S. Transportation Command's Operations and Plans Directorate, helped turn the tables when he submitted his civilian employer, Covidien Ltd., for an award via the DoD Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The award recognizes a company's policies towards activated military Reservists and Guardsman. Covidien was selected as the 2008 Missouri ESGR "Above and Beyond" award winner.

Covidien Ltd., Mansfield, Mass., engages in the development, manufacture and sale of healthcare products for use in clinical and home settings worldwide. It operates through four segments: medical devices, pharmaceutical products, imaging solutions and medical supplies.

"I joined U.S. TRANSCOM as a drilling Reservist in July 2007," Captain Hossfeld said. "During January 2008, I was mobilized to active duty with U.S. TRANSCOM in the J3 Directorate. Prior to this mobilization to active duty, I was employed with Covidien in
Saint Louis as a Logistics Planner."

Captain Hossfeld appreciates Covidien's commitment to Reservists and the United States.

"Their policies are why I recommended them for the award," Captain Hossfeld said. "It's an extremely, extremely patriotic company. On their own, they decided to go above and beyond. Many benefits keep going for the servicemember while activated and mobilized globally.

"Salary continues for 12 months, 100 percent," Captain Hossfeld continued, "which is definitely beneficial for Reservists who, in a lot of cases, are yanked out of their homes and moved around the world and have extra expenses add up for the families that stay behind.

"Additional policies that are really great," Captain Hossfeld added, "after that 12 months is over, it converts to what's called differential pay. If you make less on active duty than you did in your civilian salary, then Covidien will make up the difference. It lasts 18 months into mobilization. Other policies that remain intact during mobilization are healthcare, dental insurance coverage, 401K retirement benefits. They also keep you on the rosters for annual pay raises and merit increases or cost of living increases."

With all these benefits available to Reservists, Captain Hossfeld says he plans to return to Covidien when his mobilization ends in approximately 18 months.

Originally from Kansas City, Kan. Captain Hossfeld and his wife, Mollie, live in St. Louis, Mo.