Guardsmen, Reservists can nominate employers for awards Published Dec. 13, 2010 By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Leisa Grant National Guard Bureau ARLINGTON, Va., -- Reserve-component servicemembers still have time to nominate their employers for the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The award is the Defense Department's highest honor for employers who provide exceptional support for employees who serve in the National Guard or reserves. They also can nominate their employers any time for the Patriot Award, which also recognizes outstanding support for Guard and Reserve employees. A recent change to the Patriot Award program allows spouses to nominate their employers for the Patriot Award for providing support such as allowing them time off or helping out their families while a servicemember is deployed. The Patriot Award is the only award available for spouses' employers. Nominations for the Freedom Award may be submitted through Jan. 17. The names of all nominated employers will be announced in the spring, and the 15 Freedom Award recipients are expected to be announced in early summer, officials said.