From Afghanistan to Hawaii, Bronco Soldiers Reenlist Together

Photo By 1st Lt. Jordan Balzano | U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Erixs Reyes, a Platoon Sergeant assigned to 3rd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division celebrates his reenlistment with his family on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Dec. 6, 2023. Reenlisted by Lt. Col. Josh Suthoff, this is the second time they have met for a reenlistment and have developed a bond through service that cannot be found elsewhere. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Jordan Balzano / 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team).  

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII, UNITED STATES

12.06.2023

Story by 1st Lt. Jordan Balzano 

3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS - On the historical USS Missouri surrounded by friends and family, Sgt. 1st Class Erixs Reyes raised his right hand and took the final reenlistment oath of his Military Career.

He had the opportunity to reflect on a 16-year military career, and who better to reflect with than someone who experienced it with him.

Lt. Col. Josh Suthoff has known Reyes for six years, first serving with him in 2018 during Operation Resolute Support. Both men served in the Headquarters element of the 1st Stryker Brigade, 4th Infantry Division at tactical Base Gamberi outside of Jalalabad Afghanistan. They often worked together with Reyes leading security and resourcing operations and Suthoff serving as Chief of Staff, a major at the time. While serving together in Afghanistan then Maj. Suthoff had the privilege of re-enlisting then SSG Reyes for his third term.

Reyes is a platoon sergeant in Blackfoot Troop, 3rd Cavalry Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, part of the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and had the pleasure of welcoming back Suthoff as he became the Squadron Commander for 3-4 CAV.

“Reyes is not only a great Scout Platoon Sergeant, he is a great example of a balanced and grounded person/dad/husband to his junior Soldiers. He takes time to mentor and invite them over for group dinners.”

Suthoff went on to say, “Serving with guys like Sgt. 1st Class Reyes is what makes the Army great. You build these bonds in combat and with a little luck you get stationed together again. The Army is a big family and brotherhood, no matter where you end up you will run into someone with common ground.”

Now, six years later, the two stand across from each other with their right hand raised, reciting the oath of enlistment. Getting to this point wasn’t always easy as Army life took Reyes away from his family.

"It was a tough time; my first son had just turned five months old before I deployed, but those talks with then Maj. Suthoff kept me grounded. " Reyes said, "We talked for hours about cavalry operations, fatherhood, and why we served."

During his reenlistment speech, Reyes touched on how important his family is and some of his challenges to get to this point.

"The Army has given me and my family countless opportunities, and I try to earn that daily,." Said Reyes. "The Army is a family-oriented profession, and I'm proud to serve."

Reyes and his family took the rest of the morning to tour the USS Missouri and enjoy some rest and relaxation before returning to the challenges of being a platoon sergeant.

• Date Taken: 12.06.2023
• Date Posted: 01.08.2024 15:03
• Story ID: 461337
• Location: SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII, US