Reeves, Cody (Interview transcript and video), 2019

Leroy-Rollins, Koty (Interviewer)

WKTV (Wyoming, Mich.)

Cody Reeves was born in Grand Rapids and was raised in Smyrna, Michigan, by his mother while living with his grandparents. When he and his mother moved to Orleans and she married his stepfather, a Marine veteran, Reeves was greatly influenced to join the Corps. Since he never earned sufficient grades in high school, no college was willing to admit him, so he opted to join the Marine Delayed Entry Program as a way to challenge himself towards improvement. For Basic Training, Reeves was sent to San Diego, California. He spent three months in Basic Training before graduating onto Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton and then Non-infantry Military Occupational School in Twentynine Palms, California, through which he became a radio operator. After graduating from MOS, Reeves was sent to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, with the Headquarters and Support Company, 8th Marine Regiment where he trained for later assignment. He was then transferred to the 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Division in preparation for deployment and stationing in Romania in 2015 to deter Russian aggression in the region. In Romania, his unit was stationed at an old Army Air Base and lived a very routine life of exercise, work, and leisure. He also recalled friendly relations with both the Romanian military and civilian population. After his tour in Romania, Reeves was transferred into the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Division in 2017 and was sent back to Eastern Europe. He then began close work with American military allies before opting to join the infantry platoons as a radio operator, assigned to the Weapons Company of the Combined Anti-Armor Team out of Camp Lejeune. As a member of the greater Marine Expeditionary Unit, he and his platoon were deployed, without objective, aboard ships traveling around the world. After this tour, Reeves left the service in November of 2018 and began transitioning back into civilian life, although he found the Corps’ assistance relatively basic and lackluster. He then moved back to Grand Rapids where he enrolled into Grand Valley State University and pursued a degree in psychology. Reflecting upon his service in the Corps, Reeves believed he formed close bonds to the men in his units and that the internet and cell phones made communicating with home far easier. Ultimately, if he were given the option to enlist again, Reeves would do so in a heartbeat.

2019-02

In Copyright

Grand Valley State University Libraries, Special Collections & University Archives, 1 Campus Drive, Allendale, MI, 49401.

Veterans History Project (U.S.)

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