![]() ![]() "I was the fifth person assigned to that unit," he said. It was later designated an airborne unit in 1986. At the time, the 112th SOS was just returning to the active force. In 1986, the Army reassigned Rey to the 112th Special Operations Signal Battalion. Shortly after training, he moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina and joined the 4th Psychological Operations Group. Acknowledging his aptitude, his platoon sergeant convinced Rey to become an Airborne paratrooper, and helped him submit his package.Īs a young specialist, Rey shipped off for training at Fort Benning, Georgia, for his indoctrination into the Airborne Corps. Rey was on his way Fort Dix, New Jersey, to start his career as an Army Signal Soldier.Īt his first duty station in South Korea, Rey exhibited strong Soldier and leadership qualities, which garnered the attention from his immediate leadership. Two days after his mother granted her permission and his sister signed his contract for enlistment, Pvt. She was a little worried, but she supported me." "Somebody had to sign for me to join because I wasn't old enough," Rey recalled. They could ship me out the next day to the Military Entrance Processing Station." So, I went to the Marine Corps, and they said it would take three to four weeks," he said. "I went to the Navy, and they couldn't send me out right away. His clear first choice was to enlist into the Navy, he said. With little to no options, Rey didn't hesitate to walk into a local recruiting office. "I knew my mom couldn't send me to college because we didn't have the money and I didn't have the grades to get into one of the academies," he said. The high school years passed quickly and an uncertain future suddenly burdened Rey shortly after graduation. " got me focused on being a good person and understanding what life was all about," he said. During his senior year, he was honored to be selected for command. He joined both the drill and rifle teams, and later went on to win the regional championships in each category. "We wore a uniform twice a week, and it gave me an opportunity to have extra clothes - that was important to me." "I joined ROTC … because I needed additional clothes to wear to school," he said. At the time, Rey had an unlikely reason for joining the JROTC program. Frank Hamrick, who quickly introduced him to the school's Navy JROTC program. Seeking more opportunity for her youngest son, she lovingly put him on a plane and sent him to live with his older sister to attend high school in Virginia Beach.Īs a new student of Princess Anne High School, Rey met retired Navy Capt. Once Rey was eligible for high school, his mother was forced to make a hard decision. As a single parent, Rey's mother worked three jobs to keep her eight kids in private school. The youngest of eight siblings, Rey was born in Anguilla, a small island in the British West Indies, and raised in Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands. Army, I stand here tonight to let you know that when it comes to the next generation of leaders, I am a believer - and I believe in you," he told the students. These students, regardless of their upbringing, will grow up to become the undisputed leaders of tomorrow, Rey said, as he addressed the crowded hall during the scholarship dinner. For it was the people in Rey's life - his Family, friends, and mentors - that led to his successful career. Through it all, he recognizes the real value in helping others, as he continually looks for opportunities to interact with others - especially today's youth. Since joining the Army in 1983, Rey has been committed to one core philosophy: "The Army's most important resource is its people," he said. The outcome is very bright at the other end." I just wanted them to understand that I have been in their shoes. "I saw myself in them," Rey said of the students. In his mind, he was transported back to moments in his youth and key milestones throughout his career. ![]() Jeth Rey was briefly lost for words as he stood on the main stage of the Northern Virginia Urban League scholarship dinner, overlooking a large group of high school students and teachers in May.Īs the director of operations, G-3, with Army Cyber Command, he looked down at his prepared speech resting in front of him. Rey pinned on the rank of brigadier general June 3. Headquarters on Fort Belvoir, Va., May 15, 2019. Jeth Rey, director of Operations, G-3, with Army Cyber Command, (thirdįrom left) participates in a morning operations update briefing at ARCYBER Army) VIEW ORIGINAL 2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption –Ĭol. 1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. ![]()
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