MICHAEL REEP

He joined the local unit, I Troop, while still in high school as a way to pay for college. He used that money to train for his current career as an information technology manager for Sparta-based Tri-State Distribution, where he oversees electronic equipment, computers, security and phone systems.

During the troop’s recent four-month training in Mississippi and California, the tech-savvy soldier has kept in contact via his phone and laptop. He’s even used these devices to send in periodic reports for publication in the Southern Standard.

In a previous interview, Reep, 22, said he will miss his wife, Brandy, most of all. The two were married last summer and missed their first anniversary when he was in training at Camp Shelby.

The sergeant said the training he and his comrades have received has prepared them for what they’ll face.

“I expect our work in Iraq will be very similar to the training we received in the Mojave Desert. The missions are exactly the same,” he said.

Reep encourages people to say hello to soldiers and thank them for their service. He also asks people to keep the soldiers’ families in their thoughts and prayers.