As a civilian, Quintis Reese is a consultant and researcher in the medical field in Gaithersburg, Maryland. As an Army reservist, Reese, a sergeant, is a medical lab specialist with 16 years of missions taking him around the world. His last deployment would be his very last.
“I was attached to a unit in Aurora, Colorado, the 793rd. They needed a medical lab specialist to do research down range. About three and a half months into the deployment to Camp Arifjan Kuwait, I fell and tore my Achilles and hurt my shoulder.”
Reese and his unit were in the Middle East at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our mission completely changed because of COVID once we got there,” said Reese.
His essential role in the deployment and the state of the world kept him right where he was.
“I stayed and had Achilles surgery at Camp Arifjan on Nov. 13th so I could complete the mission. I basically limped my way through my deployment,” laughed the married father of three.
He finished the deployment and, in June 2021, went to the Fort Belvoir Soldier Recovery Unit. While on this deployment, he also had a professional goal and was working toward becoming an officer in the Army.
“Besides the mission, my other focus while in country was to be sure I could transition from enlisted to officer. I was concerned about the medical stuff hanging over my head.”
That would not come to pass as Reese will now medically retire.
“That 20-year mark was right in my sights – I didn’t get there, but I feel very gratified.t the people I’ve stood next to and the missions I’ve been on, I wouldn’t change a thing. I will always carry the Army with me and always impart the knowledge I’ve gained to other soldiers,” said Reese, who continues to work through his pain and recover.
Where one door closed, another one opened. While at the Fort Belvoir SRU, Reese worked with his transition coordinator to find a new way ahead.
“My TC, Mr. Coleman, helped me land on my feet. I was like, if this is going to be my new normal and I will be dealing with pain, I need to change positions. I need to do what I can to take care of my family and enhance my career.”
Reese has a new adventure on the horizon. He will be moving his family to Hawaii to continue his career in healthcare at Tripler Army Medical Center this fall as a quality assurance manager.
“This job will be more on a management level and give me the skills I need to grow in my field.”
Reese recognizes the silver lining in this journey as the Army Recovery Care Program’s ability to help him and his family when the unthinkable happens.
“It would have been impossible for me to get to where I am if the SRU were not here [sic]. They are like a lifeline. They provide so many services that you can’t help but succeed. You come here, and you will leave in a better position.”
This next chapter in the Reese family is a big change. It was not arrived at lightly, but Reese says everyone is on board.
“We decided as a family, weighing the pros and cons, that we knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This is such a blessing.”
