Welcome to Argonne National Laboratory’s (ANL) Veteran employee resource group (VET-ERG) webpage!
Memorial Day 2024 Message From Veterans ERG
May 27, 2024
While you are enjoying your weekend, please stop for a moment and remember the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who have given their lives so that you can live yours. For most Veterans, it is a calling that brought us to the military, and we do not waiver on our decision to join. We feel strongly about our choice long after wearing the uniform and we embrace the standards we were taught by our time in the military the rest of our lives. For me, it was in my blood. Many generations of my family were in the Air Force and I followed suit into a life I was used to living. I bring the things I have learned while serving into my work every day. Even though our country is going through a rough time right now, I am proud to be its citizen and wait for it to be great again.
– Diana Schmitt, Veterans ERG Founder
In remembrance of those that gave their life for us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VLHEZ6ZUxE
From April 15, 2024 For Your Information email sent to Argonne employees:
TO: All Employees
FROM: Raeanna R. Sharp-Geiger, Deputy Laboratory Director for Operations and Chief Operations Officer
Military Leave Enhancements, Effective March 25, 2024
To better support our colleagues who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, Argonne has enhanced its military leave policy effective Monday, March 25, 2024. Employees will receive full wages for up to 15 workdays per calendar year for a qualifying military leave. This is an increase from the previous leave of 10 days of full pay in a calendar year.
In addition, for a military leave of more than 30 days, employees may continue to participate in their current health care plan for up to 180 days if they continue to pay applicable premiums. This is an additional 30 days from the previous policy and aligns with the start of Tri-Care benefits — the health care program for active-duty service members and their family members.
For details, including how to request this leave, please see LMS-PROC-131: Military Leave.
I appreciate the Veterans Employee Resource Group, Human Resource Services-Benefits, Financial Management and Procurement Services-Payroll, and the Legal Department for proposing and enacting this change. The enhancements will support recruitment and retention, which will keep us competitive with other national labs. More importantly, it reinforces Argonne as an employer of choice nationwide, especially among veterans.
The military leave enhancement exemplifies our Core Values of respect, integrity, and teamwork, and I look forward to approving other improvements for our world-class community of talent.
Should you have any questions on this new policy, please contact the Benefits Team.
The Basics of Military Culture
https://psycharmor.org/militaryculture
In a look borrowed from vintage newsreels, this four-part series on The Basics of Military Culture, powered by PsychArmor in partnership with Comcast NBC Universal, covers stories from six American service members about their experiences serving our country.
This series provides an in-depth exploration of military service and culture, covering topics such as the commitment required to serve, the values that guide military culture, the diversity and inclusivity within the military, and the challenges service members and their families face during and after their service. This series features personal stories and interviews with service members, as well as insights into the benefits of military service and the invaluable soft skills that it provides.
Honor Flight Chicago Fundraiser
The Argonne Veterans ERG is raising funds to support Honor Flight Chicago.
Honor Flight Chicago’s mission is to Honor, Thank, and Inspire by building awareness and appreciation of the debt of gratitude America owes its veterans for their service and sacrifice for our nation.
One of the ways this is accomplished is by offering veterans an opportunity for a one day event to fly from Chicago to Washington D.C. and back in order to visit national war memorials and other military themed sites. Every flight is a beautiful event.
Please consider contributing to the fundraiser at GoFundMe.
History
Several years ago, veterans at Argonne noticed the American flag outside of Building 201 needed to be replaced. They orchestrated a flag changing ceremony. It was hosting this ceremony that reminded on-site vets of the comradery among people who have served in the army, navy, coast guard, air force, and marines. With a desire to network and share resources among the Lab’s veteran community, these vets chartered the Veterans ERG and set it up in a way that anyone can participate and share in this community.
Mission
Argonne Veterans Group is dedicated to building awareness and providing resources to Veterans/Veterans Families/Friends of Veterans and bringing together members of the Argonne community in a supportive environment and in furtherance of Argonne’s commitment to equal employment opportunity for all employees.
Outreach
The Veterans ERG hosts events at the Lab that seek to connect Argonne’s veteran population while fundraising for Veteran organizations. Previous event partners include Team Red White and Blue, a veteran health and fitness group, and Canines for Veterans, an organization dedicated to training dogs to assist their Veteran owners. Read more about these organizations here.
