- May 2, 2024
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‘It was a crazy year.’
Michelle Bruney, of Ormond Beach, said she missed the U.S. Navy, after serving from 2000 to 2004, so she decided to join the Naval Reserves.
One thing stood in her way … her weight. She lost 80 pounds in two and a half years and became a Naval reservist last March.
“I knew it was something I had to do,” she said. “I had a determined passion. I had the support of everybody.”
She is mostly grateful for the support of her employer, Jeremy Buckmaster, of Ormond Beach, who owns Buckmaster Law on Magnolia Avenue in Daytona Beach. She showed her gratitude by nominating him for a “Patriotic Employer” Award.
Buckmaster was presented with the award on Dec. 22 by Michael Gallucci, representing the office of the Employer Supporter of Guard and Reserve, which is under the Department of Defense.
Also working at Buckmaster Law is David Ellzey Jr., of Ormond Beach, an attorney and member of the Air National Guard since 2001. Previously, he served four years in the U.S. Air Force.
Ellzey also recommended his boss for the award.
Last year, he received a commission to be an officer in the Judge Advocate General Corps., which required a lot of adjustments at the law firm.
“It was a crazy year,” said Buckmaster.
Ellzey said he had to take a nine-week course.
“Jeremy had to cover my cases,” Ellzey said. “We planned out how to make it all happen. By serving, I make sacrifices, but employers also make sacrifices.”
Typically, a member of the reserves or guard serves one weekend a month and a two-week stint each year. Galluci said sometimes an officer, such as Ellzey, have more demands on their schedule.
Gallucci said the number of people in guards and reserves increased dramatically since military action in the Persian Gulf began in the 1990s. The ESGR program has been around since the 1980s.
“The support of the employer is critical,” Gallucci said. “There are federal laws in place, but without the support of the community, they don’t mean much.”
Bruney, a third class petty officer in the reserves and a paralegal at Buckmaster Law, said Buckmaster has been “extremely supportive and flexible” with their military schedules, even with last minute changes.
She provides administrative support at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.
“With every drill weekend that I have had to do and a two-week training period in Hawaii, he has been very supportive,” she said. “I am so pleased that my employer is recognized for this award. It is well deserved.”
Gallucci said those in the guard and reserve contribute to the community with their abilities one day, and then the next day they are in uniform helping to keep the nation secure.
“We want to recognize their employers,” he said. “And we encourage service members to nominate their employers.”
He said in 2014, about 400 employers were recognized throughout Central Florida.
Buckmaster said he never served in the military, and that was one of the “big disappointments” in his life.
“This is my chance to give back,” he said.
He said there are hardships for the employer, but they pale in comparison to the hardships of the military because they have to transition back and forth from civilian to military responsibilities.
“The real sacrifice is being done by these two people,” he said.
Visit esgr.mil.
