The Illinois National Guard hosted a Boss Lift to the St. Louis area on July 9, inviting employers from across the region to observe training, equipment and the mission readiness their employees support while serving in uniform. The day gave local supervisors a window into how Guard service complements the skills and discipline that members bring to civilian jobs.
What employers experienced
Participants boarded a UH-60 Black Hawk for transit and met with Soldiers to learn about the Guard’s dual state and federal responsibilities. Organizers said the event aimed to deepen understanding between civilian employers and the Guard by showing military duties from a service member’s point of view.
- Travel aboard a UH-60 Black Hawk.
- Briefings on the Illinois National Guard’s state and federal missions.
- Direct interaction with Soldiers to observe training, leadership and discipline.
Who made it happen
The Boss Lift was conducted in partnership with Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and Illinois ESGR. Event organizers publicly thanked the aircrew for their role in safely transporting guests:
"1st Lt. Kyle Kiper, 2nd Lt. Howard Sterling, Sgt. Ellis Jagger, and Sgt. Lynn Trestin"
Public materials described the flight crew’s professionalism and credited them with helping make the day informative and memorable.
Why it matters to St. Louis-area employers
For businesses in St. Louis and the surrounding region, Guard members are employees, neighbors and community leaders. Events such as this Boss Lift are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen ties so employers better understand service obligations and the transferable skills — leadership, discipline, incident management — soldiers bring back to civilian roles.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Host | Illinois National Guard |
| Partner | Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve / Illinois ESGR |
| Date | July 9 |
As the region continues to balance civilian workforce needs with military service commitments, these outreach efforts aim to reduce friction and boost retention by clarifying expectations on both sides. Employers left with a clearer sense of the training their employees undergo and the ways military experience can benefit workplace performance.
The event photo credit was attributed to a member of the Joint Force Headquarters – Illinois National Guard.
