ESGR announces open season for Freedom Award nominations Published Nov. 24, 2009 Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Arlington, Va. -- The Department of Defense's Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve agency has opened the nomination season for the 2010 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. U.S. Air Force Reserve members and their families are eligible and encouraged to nominate employers who have provided exceptional support of military employees above the federal law requirements. Nominations will be accepted at www.FreedomAward.mil until Jan. 18, 2010. The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their outstanding support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.