The Pro Patria Award is presented on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense by state ESGR committees, serving as a powerful testament to organizations that consistently demonstrate exceptional support for their military-connected employees. Recipients are lauded for cultivating workplace environments where Guard and Reserve members can seamlessly balance their civilian careers with critical military service commitments, ensuring their professional stability and national readiness are both upheld.
The ESGR and the Significance of the Pro Patria Award
To fully appreciate the gravity of the Pro Patria Award, it is essential to understand the mission and structure of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Established in 1972, ESGR is a Department of Defense program that promotes cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers. The agency aims to ensure employers understand and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), which protects the job rights of individuals who voluntarily or involuntarily leave employment positions to undertake military service. Beyond legal compliance, ESGR actively seeks to foster a culture where employers go above and beyond legal requirements, proactively supporting their military employees.
The ESGR award hierarchy is designed to recognize varying levels of employer support. It begins with the Statement of Support, a voluntary declaration by employers of their commitment to their military employees. This is followed by the Patriot Award, which allows individual service members to nominate their supervisors or managers for outstanding support. The "Above and Beyond Award" acknowledges employers who have taken specific actions to support their employees beyond the requirements of USERRA. The "Freedom Award," the highest national honor, is presented annually to 15 employers across the nation, selected from hundreds of nominations.
The Pro Patria Award occupies a pivotal position within this structure, serving as the highest award at the state level. It signifies sustained, exceptional support that extends across an entire organization. Winning this award often positions a company as a strong contender for the national Freedom Award in subsequent years. The rigorous selection process typically involves a detailed review of an organization’s policies, interviews with service members and leadership, and an assessment of the overall culture of support. For Starkey to be recognized from hundreds of nominations in a state with a significant military presence like Minnesota underscores the depth and breadth of its commitment.
Starkey’s Enduring Commitment to Military-Connected Employees
Starkey’s receipt of the Pro Patria Award is a direct reflection of its holistic approach to supporting its National Guard and Reserve employees. The company’s policies are designed to alleviate the unique challenges faced by individuals balancing military duties with civilian careers. These policies likely include, but are not limited to:
- Generous Military Leave Policies: Providing paid or partially paid leave for military training, deployments, and other service obligations, ensuring financial stability for employees and their families during periods of absence.
- Differential Pay: Bridging the gap between military pay and civilian salary during extended periods of service, minimizing financial hardship.
- Continued Benefits: Ensuring that health insurance, retirement contributions, and other employee benefits remain active during military leave, providing peace of mind.
- Flexible Scheduling: Accommodating military training schedules and last-minute deployments with understanding and adaptability.
- Re-integration Programs: Offering support and resources to employees returning from military service, facilitating a smooth transition back into their civilian roles and workplace environment.
- Non-Discrimination: Actively promoting a workplace free from discrimination based on military service, fostering an inclusive environment.
Beyond formal policies, Starkey’s leadership plays a crucial role in fostering this supportive culture. The company’s executives and managers demonstrate an active understanding and appreciation for military service, often promoting the leadership, discipline, and problem-solving skills that Guard and Reserve members bring to the corporate environment. This top-down commitment creates an environment where military employees feel valued, respected, and empowered.
Furthermore, supporting active-duty military personnel, Veterans, and military families is a central pillar of Starkey Cares, the company’s dedicated charitable and community outreach initiative. This program extends Starkey’s commitment beyond its direct employees to the broader military community. Key initiatives under Starkey Cares include:
- Hearing Health Initiatives: Recognizing that hearing loss is a pervasive issue among veterans and active-duty personnel due to combat exposure and noisy environments, Starkey Cares actively participates in programs that provide hearing screenings, advanced hearing aid technology, and audiological support to military communities. This aligns perfectly with Starkey’s core business mission.
- Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with veteran service organizations, military charities, and government agencies to amplify its impact and reach more service members and their families.
- Veteran-Focused Outreach: Developing specific programs aimed at veterans, including employment opportunities, mentorship, and community engagement events.
- Workplace Programs for Military-Connected Employees: Beyond general HR policies, these might include internal affinity groups for veterans and military families, mentorship programs connecting veterans with senior leadership, and workshops on navigating military transitions.
Brandon Sawalich, President and CEO of Starkey, articulated the company’s philosophy, stating, “Receiving the Pro Patria Award is an incredible honor, but more importantly, it reflects a responsibility we take seriously. The men and women who serve our country bring extraordinary leadership, discipline, and purpose to everything they do, and we believe those qualities make our company stronger. We are proud to support our National Guard and Reserve employees, and Veterans and their families, not simply because it is the right thing to do, but because we believe in the value they bring to Starkey. This award reinforces our commitment to supporting those who serve and creating meaningful opportunities for military members and Veterans at Starkey.” Sawalich’s statement underscores a strategic belief in the inherent value military service members bring to the workforce, viewing their unique skills as assets that contribute directly to Starkey’s success and innovative culture.
A Chronology of Recognition and Celebration
The path to receiving the Pro Patria Award is typically a multi-stage process, culminating in public recognition.
- Pre-2026: Sustained Support: For years leading up to 2026, Starkey consistently implemented and refined its policies and programs to support its military-connected employees. This long-term commitment formed the bedrock of its nomination.
- Late 2025/Early 2026: Nomination and Review: The nomination process for the 2026 award likely commenced in late 2025 or early 2026. This would have involved submissions from employees, community members, or even ESGR volunteers, highlighting Starkey’s exemplary practices. The Minnesota Committee for ESGR then conducted a thorough review, assessing Starkey against rigorous criteria, potentially including site visits, policy evaluations, and testimonials from military employees.
- Mid-2026: Award Announcement: Following the comprehensive review, Starkey was formally selected as one of Minnesota’s two recipients of the 2026 Pro Patria Award. This announcement marked the official recognition of their efforts.
- September 13, 2026: Public Ceremony: The culmination of this recognition will take place on September 13, 2026. Starkey will be formally honored during a pre-game, on-field ceremony at the Minnesota Twins Military Appreciation Day game at Target Field. This public recognition during a high-profile sporting event serves to amplify the message of employer support for the Guard and Reserve. Military Appreciation Day games are a staple in professional sports, dedicated to honoring service members, veterans, and their families, providing a fitting backdrop for such a prestigious award. The atmosphere will undoubtedly be charged with patriotism and gratitude, further cementing Starkey’s image as a truly military-friendly employer.
- Post-Award: Continued Impact: The award is not merely an endpoint but a reinforcement of Starkey’s ongoing dedication. It serves as a public commitment to continue and potentially expand its support initiatives, potentially inspiring other companies to adopt similar best practices.
Broader Implications: Industry Leadership and National Security
Starkey’s achievement has far-reaching implications, extending beyond the company itself to the broader industry and national security landscape.
- Enhanced Reputation and Employer Branding: For Starkey, the Pro Patria Award significantly bolsters its reputation as a socially responsible and ethical employer. In an increasingly competitive talent market, being recognized as a military-friendly company is a powerful draw for veterans and Guard/Reserve members, who often possess highly sought-after skills such as leadership, teamwork, technical proficiency, and resilience. This translates into an ability to attract and retain top talent, contributing to the company’s overall strength and innovation.
- Setting an Industry Benchmark: As a leader in the hearing technology sector, Starkey’s recognition sets a high standard for corporate responsibility. It challenges other companies within the medical device and technology industries, and indeed across all sectors, to review and enhance their own support systems for military employees. This can foster a positive ripple effect, leading to improved conditions for Guard and Reserve members nationwide.
- Contribution to National Security: The active participation of employers like Starkey is absolutely critical for the readiness and retention of the National Guard and Reserve. These forces constitute a vital component of the nation’s defense strategy, responding to both domestic emergencies (natural disasters, civil unrest) and international conflicts. When employers provide robust support, service members face less stress regarding their civilian careers during deployments and training, enabling them to focus fully on their military duties. This directly contributes to national security by ensuring a strong, ready, and motivated Reserve Component.
- Economic and Social Benefits: Supporting Guard and Reserve members translates into tangible economic and social benefits. It helps prevent financial hardship for military families, ensures continuity of careers, and integrates skilled veterans into the civilian workforce. Military veterans often bring a unique perspective and a strong work ethic to their civilian roles, enriching company culture and driving productivity. Their continued employment and economic stability benefit local communities and the national economy.
- Synergy with Core Business: For Starkey, a company dedicated to hearing health, there is a powerful synergy with supporting the military community. Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent service-connected disabilities among veterans. By supporting those who serve, Starkey deepens its connection to a population that can significantly benefit from its core products and services, fostering trust and loyalty within this demographic. This integrated approach demonstrates a profound understanding of its customer base and its commitment to improving lives.
The Legacy of Service: Starkey’s Foundation
Starkey’s journey began in 1967 under the visionary leadership of Bill Austin, who founded the company on the principle of "helping others hear, so they can live better lives." This ethos of service and dedication has evidently extended to how the company treats its employees, particularly those who serve the nation. Under the current leadership of President and CEO Brandon Sawalich, the company has continued to drive breakthroughs in unmatched sound clarity, machine learning, and intelligent hearing technology.
As the only American-owned hearing aid manufacturer, Starkey employs over 5,000 professionals across 29 facilities, delivering advanced hearing solutions to customers in more than 100 markets worldwide. This global reach and technological prowess are underpinned by a corporate culture that values its people, including its military personnel. The Pro Patria Award serves as a powerful affirmation that Starkey’s commitment to innovation and customer well-being is matched by its dedication to its employees and the broader community. The award solidifies Starkey’s position not just as a technological innovator but also as a paragon of corporate citizenship, continually striving to create a workplace where those who protect our nation are themselves protected and supported.
In conclusion, Starkey’s receipt of the 2026 Pro Patria Award is a significant milestone, recognizing the company’s exceptional efforts in creating a supportive and understanding environment for its National Guard and Reserve employees. This honor not only celebrates Starkey’s commitment but also highlights the critical importance of employer support in maintaining a strong and ready military reserve force. As Starkey continues its mission to enhance hearing and improve lives, its dedication to those who serve stands as an exemplary model for corporate responsibility in the 21st century.
