DVIDS – News – Did it for dad: Reaves, JMC’s most recent CSM, reflects on Army career

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. — When Christopher “Chris” Reaves enlisted in the Army in March 1998, he wasn’t sure how long he’d serve, but he knew why.

“My father served as a military police officer in the Army during the Vietnam War,” said Reaves, a Greenwood, Mississippi, native, who was the Joint Munitions Command’s Command Sgt. Maj. from May 24, 2023, until Sept. 19, 2025. “He is my reason for joining the Army.”

Unlike many of his generation, Reaves’ father, Tommie Reaves, wasn’t drafted. He volunteered to wear camouflage, and growing up his son heard stories about what his two years as a Soldier were like.

“He enjoyed talking about the bonds and friendships that he made and the opportunity to travel,” Chris Reaves said. “He had fond memories of the ones he served with.”

Though initially hesitant, Reaves and his sister both joined the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps in high school, the only military program available, motivated in part by their father’s encouragement and gentle prodding.

After his father passed away in January 1996, Reaves, then a college freshman working toward becoming an X-ray technician, shifted his academic pursuit to science classes.

“I just kind of struggled a little bit with focus and purpose,” he said. “One part of me was now gone. My dad was my best friend. I admired him. I looked up to him. There’s a lot of things I think about that I wish I could talk to my dad about.

“He demonstrated the desired qualities you want in a Soldier, a father, a husband, a brother, and a son,” Reaves added.

Reaves attended basic combat training and advanced individual training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, graduating as a 63B Light Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic.

“I didn’t have a grandiose plan,” Reaves said. “The only thing that was concrete was that I wanted to be a mechanic.”

Reaves’ interest in working with tools began early, inspired by watching his father, a grandfather, and uncles repair cars and tractors. During middle and high school, he worked for a local mechanic who owned a shop just around the corner from his home. Eventually, his employer purchased a salvage yard, and Reaves spent much of his high school years helping run both the shop and the yard.

Reaves never set out to become a command sergeant major. However, he learned early in his career how he wanted to lead other Soldiers.

“If you take care of the people, they’ll take care of the mission,” Reaves said. “If you focus only on the mission, there’s a real risk of losing people along the way. If you support your team, keep them motivated, and lead by example, the mission always gets accomplished.”

According to Reaves, several key traits define effective leadership.

“Competence, character, integrity, and selflessness are paramount,” he said. “If you can’t influence or inspire people, then you can’t lead them. As a command sergeant major, you need to create an environment where Soldiers feel comfortable bringing you their problems.

“When someone comes to you with a problem, they’re looking for validation and confirmation that their thoughts and feelings are understood,” added Reaves, who will retire from the Army on March 1, 2026, at 28 years. “I genuinely care about people, and I try to be selfless in everything I do. What excites me is being able to help other people realize their goals and dreams.”