Day in the Life... Supply Sergeant Meets Needs of War Fighters

Photo By Staff Sgt. James Hunter | Staff Sgt. Jeremy Reynolds, a native of Arlington, Texas, looks through his supplies of weapon cleaning kits inside his connex at Camp Liberty, Iraq, June 25. Reynolds serves as the supply sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Multi-National Division – Baghdad.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

06.25.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. James Hunter 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

By Sgt. James Hunter
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division

BAGHDAD – Without supplies, it would be virtually impossible for the Army to conduct its peace and war time missions.

Without supply sergeants, such as Multi-National Division – Baghdad's Staff Sgt. Jeremy Reynolds, a native of Arlington, Texas, it would be extremely difficult for his company to accomplish its mission as well.

In few, yet simple words, Reynolds said "supporting the war fighter" is his mission.

"To me, my job is what makes or breaks how well our company (runs). Without the support from supply how well would we operate? Not very well in my eyes," he said. "Supply is all about supporting the mission and the war fighter. I guess what I'm saying is supply is one of the most important jobs the Army has to offer."

Reynolds, 28, said he always knew the Army was the place for him. While growing up and playing sports, especially enjoying rugby, he dreamed of the day he could don a military uniform.

In October 1998, he finally got that chance and did so until October 2002, serving as a finance Soldier with the 13th Finance Group out of Fort Hood, Texas, and the 177th Finance from Korea.

In late 2002, Reynolds left the military, only to rejoin a year later – again in finance.

"I got out for all the wrong reasons; I missed it," Reynolds said. "I can honestly say I am one of very few who are now living their childhood dream."

Reynolds joined Detachment C, 39th Finance, which is based out of Giessen, Germany. However, he said he wasn't really happy with his career choice as a financial processor and wanted to have a more direct involvement with the war-fighter Soldiers.

So, he went to school and changed his military occupation specialty to supply, with a follow-on assignment to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), where he serves as the supply sergeant and ensures his Soldiers are properly trained and that each Soldier gets what he needs to accomplish the mission.

"My biggest thing is that I want to ensure that all Soldiers within the company are able to get anything they need to complete their mission," Reynolds said. "I will do what it takes to get what needs getting. The job is a new challenge every day."

His day usually starts at around 5 a.m. as he heads out to conduct physical fitness training – which is followed by "a cup or two of coffee." On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, he added, a supply truck arrives early in the morning to drop off previously ordered items.

From there until late into the night, his day is filled with continually training his Soldiers to ensure the property book is up to par, paperwork is filed, sub-hand receipts are up to date, and his Soldiers are helping meet the requests of the war fighter – among myriad additional issues throughout the day.

Reynolds has three Soldiers who fall under him, of which only one has a supply background. This can offer him a difficult job, given the fact he must train and mold the Soldiers into their newfound job; however, being a leader is something he said he thrives for.

"Being an NCO is something I have always dreamed about. I have Soldiers I get to train every day," Reynolds said. "I have the ability to take Soldiers under my wing and help them improve themselves and excel in the Army.

"When one of my Soldiers learns something new, gets rewarded, or something as simple as doing the right thing, the feeling I get inside is unexplainable," he continued. "What I'm trying to say is that is so special to me because of the Soldiers."

Reynolds said he has three goals as a non-commissioned officer. He hopes to mold the best possible Soldiers, make the Army a positive experience for his Soldiers and to be able to constantly improve his leadership ability for the benefit of his Soldiers to help make great Soldiers.

"I want my Soldiers to know that I really do care, and I will do whatever is best for them," he said. "I will put myself through hell to make sure they have what they want and have the opportunity to excel. I want them to know its all about them."

Even his peers see him as a go-getter, leading from the front.

"I would describe him as a caring but firm leader, who truly cares about the mission and the welfare of his Soldiers," said 1st Sgt. William Plummer, a native of McGregor, Minn. "He is a great mentor to his Soldiers, takes the time to show, teach and mentor them on all tasks related to supply operation and the support of the BCT staff with the high- and short-notice requests."

Plummer, as the company's senior enlisted leader, said he sees the supply shop daily and has rarely seen one operate as smoothly.

"In the 24 years of my service, it is the best run and has the shortest turn around of requests that are not on-hand to be filled," Plummer said. "He truly cares about the mission of the BCT, ensuring that they have the proper equipment and supplies from vehicles and weapons to paper."

• Date Taken: 06.25.2008
• Date Posted: 06.25.2008 08:21
• Story ID: 20832
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ