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Service Details |
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Current Service Status
USAFR Retired
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Current/Last Rank
First Sergeant (E-8)
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Current/Last Primary AFSC/MOS
8F000-First Sergeant
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Current/Last AFSC Group
Special Duty
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Primary Unit
1997-2009, 8F000, 86th Aerial Port Squadron
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Previously Held AFSC/MOS
60571A-Air Transportation Supervisor
60531-Air Cargo Specialist
60551-Air Cargo Specialist
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Service Years
1985 - 2009
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| Official/Unofficial US Air Force Certificates
Cold War Certificate
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1996, Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA), AFSA 1461 (Associate Member) (McCord AFB, Washington)
- Chap. Page
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2004, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Post 2573, Manley-Reece-Jones Post (Wilmington, North Carolina)
- Chap. Page
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2014, Air Force Together We Served
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2015, Air Force Memorial (AFM)
- Assoc. Page
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2015, TWS Memorial Team
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2017, Air Force TWS Advisory Group
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What are you doing now:
http://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=Profile&type=Person&ID=10272
1970-1977 with 7.6 years Active US ARMY, 1985 to 2009 USAFR.
James Elmo Reece III, beloved husband and devoted father, is the son of James Elmo Reece Jr, Grandson to James Elmo Reece Sr, Great Grandson to William Ervin Reece, all of Wilmngton, NC.
He is the brother of Thomas(Tom) Mark Reece, Wilmington, NC and Diane Marie Reece Boyd Wilmington, NC.
Married Charlene Kay Flowers of Tacoma, WA in 1977 and divorced in 1987. Had one daughter, Chelsie Iris Reece of Tacoma, WA in 1984. He later married Elanne Joy Bender of Soap Lake, Washington on 24 Oct 1987 and has two daughters with her, Shaunna Danette Reece and Doni Shereen Reece. He has 6 grandsons, Jimmy Myers Reece by Chelsie Reece and Kyler Deckert, Joshua Deckert and Kori Deckert by Doni Reece and Wyatt James Baird and Jayden Baird by Shaunna Reece.
Born in Glendale, CA, left at the age of 1, and lived the next twenty years in Wilmington, NC. Atternded St Mary's School 1954 to 1963. Graduated from NHHS in 1969 and promptly joined the Army. I got tired of walking, left the Army and joined the US Air Force, retired as a First Sergeant in 2009. Lifetime member of the VFW and the USAF Sergeants Association. I followed in the footsteps of my Father and Grandfather by working as a Firefighter and Civil Servant until my retirement in 2004. After retirement in 2004, I moved to Maui. Left Maui in June 2011 and settled in my hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina close to my only Brother and only Sister. Playing more golf and not getting any better except now I play from the Senior Tees. I go sick from Pulmonary Emboli and left Wilmington to be close to Chelsie. Living in East Wenatchee, WA now. You really "can't" go home.
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Other Comments:
Retired from the USAFR, came off the rolls permanently Dec 1st, 2009.
Last job was www.togethweserved.com. No more paid work as of 30 Nov 2015.
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Reflections on 1stSgt Reece's
US Air Force Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
I had spent 7 years in the Army. I wasn't happy giving up all that Military active duty time, so I talked to a friend that was USAFR. He suggested I go and talk to a recruiter. I did and the rest is history. I maintained my rank after being out for 8 years stayed in with USAFR from 1985 to 2009. Now I am using Tricare and the Commissary and a nice little paycheck every month. USAFR 86th Aerial Ports at McChord and 75th APS at Kelly AFB for three years was all good times. There is nothing like working with a bunch of Volunteers.
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WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
Once I grew up and decided to bear down, I was offered the opportunity to be the First Sergeant. I had a great group of guys and I didn't have many surprises. I retired as a Senior Master Sergeant E-8 Shirt, with the 86th APS.
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IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
Support Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom as a REMF. It worked for me and my family and I didn't miss anything.
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OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
McChord AFB, 86thAPS and Kelly AFB without question. Working with an all Volunteer Force. There was never a bad assignment.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The last 7 years as a First Sergeant. I felt I was finally making a difference.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
Meritorious Service Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster. I was dedicated to the mission and they recognized me. No gigs on any SAV's.
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OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
Master Transportation Badge. All that studying paid off. As soon as I received it, I was moved to the Shirt Position. I never really got to exercise my 7 level 2T2 expertise.
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WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Chief George Spandel and the Late Chief Gordon Swarthout. Both were Mentors and one was an IT Geek and they are worth their weight in my book. Helped the Squadron come into the 21st century.
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CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
The annual tours to Japan, before I became the Shirt. All fun. Especially the Hawaii 1990 trip.
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WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
Retired: Computer Specialist. Retired Security Officer at the WKOR in Retired Maui Wackenhut Manager working as an Admin with TogerWeServed.
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
 | | AFSA, VFW and TWS |
VFW, American Legion, AFSA. Brotherhood...
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
Get serious and get busy when you need to be...
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
Get educated and get promoted...Be in the right place at the right time and look sharp.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
 | | TWS and The USAF |
It allows me to connect with people I served with... *J*
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