Warrior of the Week: Tech. Sgt. Jamie Reents

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Jessica Tait
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  "Renaissance woman" doesn't even begin to describe this warrior. Having been in the Air Force as long as she lived in her home state of Alabama, this Airman has just about seen it all.

"I have had four different jobs and three different career field changes since I've been in the Air Force," said Tech. Sgt. Jamie Reents, 319th Medical Operations Squadron NCO in charge of physical therapy.

Most people don't have a clue what they want to be when they grow up, but Sergeant Reents knew she wanted to be in the Air Force since she was 10 years old.

"I didn't care what I did in the Air Force; I just knew I was going to join," Sergeant Reents said. "Five days after I turned 17, I made my parents sign and I left for boot camp two weeks after I graduated high school."

Sergeant Reents' sense of patriotism motivated her to organize the impressive raising of 50 American flags at Grand Forks during the morning of the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

"I took the lead on getting the 100 volunteers to put up the flags," said Sergeant Reeents. "The base really pulled together and even the Air Combat Command assets volunteered.

"The 9/11 flag ceremony is something I wanted to do because even though 10 years seems like a long time, all the emotions came back on that day and time," she said. "When the flags were brought down to half staff, you couldn't hold back the tears. It is about the meaning of all those innocent people losing their lives."

Reents has been helping rehabilitate injured military members since shortly after the 9/11 attacks.

"Even though I was in Turkey, my life changed," said Sergeant Reents. "All the patients at first came to Turkey because they didn't have the clinics downrange, so after 9/11 happened we were busy with the injured from three different wartime missions. Even though I've never been deployed, I was there and you remember those things."

For Reents, physical therapy is all about the tender loving care.

"The best part of the job is interacting and working with my patients and seeing them progress," beamed Sergeant Reents. "Of course if you ask them, they will say my favorite part is causing them pain."

The down-to-earth sergeant loves life and wants to encourage others to slow down and enjoy it.

"Everybody seems to be in a hurry and that causes stress, which in the end, causes people to be rude," she said. "Why would I rush to get ready if I don't have to? My husband says I'm taking away years of my life, but I know I'm adding years in the long run. I say slow down and enjoy life."

It is easy to see how somebody who came into the Air Force in the administration career field, cross-trained to physical therapy, and taught as an Airmen Leadership School instructor would be willing to expand her horizons.

"My husband will tell you I'm interested in everything," said Sergeant Reents. "My problem is that I am so open to everything that I will try almost anything once."

The positive Sergeant loves her family, but even her 2-year-old son knows not to mess with her most cherished possession.

"I still have my very first teddy bear. It has to stay on my bed and even my son knows it does not go on the floor," said Sergeant Reents while laughing. "I love teddy bears. I don't collect as many as I use to but I still have my very first one."