BOISE -- The 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team is training right now for their deployment to Iraq later this year. Thursday and Friday, they have some company at Gowen Field, as hundreds of their employers are getting an eye-opening look at the other job of their employees.
They call it, 'Boss Lift,' a unique opportunity for hundreds of employers from across the Northwest to see how their guard and reserve employees train to protect this country. The employers were shuttled between flight, driving, and shooting simulations. Then, they headed out to actually see the people they work with, now in uniform, training for deployment.
"It's scary, I'm scared for them," said Kelly Shea who works for the city of Boise. "I can't imagine what it's like, I thank them for doing it."
"It's amazing, the training they have to go through to learn how to do everything, and the dedication," said Linda Righter from Campbell Suites. "Then, to be sent away from their family. You really do get an appreciation for what they have to go through."
The Executive Director of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Dick Deam, says reservists can't do what they do, without the support of their employers.
"Less than 10 percent have served in uniform, of any given group," said Deam. "Those other 90 percent, they're still patriots, they still care about their country. How can they serve their country? By supporting those who do serve in uniform. That's the message we're trying to get across these two days."
The 116th will continue their training in Boise until next month, when they'll head to Mississippi for mission-specific training. In November, it's on to Kuwait and Iraq. Before that, as a special honor for the troops, country singer Darryl Worley will play a concert for the soldiers and their families. It will be at Gowen Field on Sept. 9 following an afternoon send off picnic.
