A hero in reserve

With military spending at historic lows, the House and Senate Armed Services committees last month proposed a $150 billion spending increase as part of a reconciliation bill that Sen. Roger Wicker called a much needed “generational upgrade.”

In this era of DOGE, such a significant outlay received its fair share of headlines.

One story that coasted under the radar was the news that Sgt. Dakota Meyer had reenlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve. Serving in Afghanistan’s Kunar Province on September 8, 2009, while under heavy fire, Meyer saved 36 American and Afghani lives. For his extraordinary gallantry, Meyer was awarded the Medal of Honor. At that time, Meyer was the first living Marine in 38 years to receive the honor.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth administered the oath of re-enlistment to Meyer at the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes, with the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlos Ruiz in attendance.

Meyer’s return to the Corps after such a prolonged time is certainly a rare and exceptional event. Re-enlisting after such a long gap in service brings with it challenges, especially given the circumstances in which Meyer, now 36, served.

What I recall from Meyer’s book written with military historian Bing West: “Into The Fire: A Firsthand Account of the Most Extraordinary Battle in the Afghan War” was not just the tactical detail of that indelible day where an inadequately planned and resourced mission went awry, but also his deep personal struggles after leaving the Corps. Meyer wrote he was awarded his medal “for being a failure on the worst day of my life” because he could not bring every member of his team home.

According to Meyer the decision to return in a reserve role came from a deep sense of unfinished duty and a desire to inspire others to serve saying, “It hasn’t been a single day since I got out 15 years ago that I didn’t wake up and truly want to serve again. Becoming a Marine is by far one of the greatest accomplishments of my life.”

While a civilian and through social media platforms, Meyer was vocal about leadership and the responsibilities of military service. His return to the ranks leads by example and credibility.

Meyer’s re-enlistment comes as recruitment is on the rise with December 2024 being the most productive December in over a decade. Meyer added, “There’s never been a better time to serve our country than right now.” The symbolic weight of Meyer’s re-enlistment could help bolster recruitment and morale.

Prior to the 1991 Gulf War, the reserves and National Guard were two sides of the same coin and the distinctions between active and reserve duty were canyon like.

During Vietnam and throughout the Cold War, they served as a haven for those who had no desire to serve more than one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer. To say they did not have the most stellar reputation would be an understatement.

Such a reputation was underscored in the 1982 Sylvester Stallone film, ‘First Blood.’ With a reserve platoon called out to hunt down Medal of Honor awardee, John Rambo, a few Marines from North Carolina found the movie more comical, than realistic. That scene was only superseded in comedic value when Paul “Daddy Wabbit” Holyko fell asleep shortly thereafter. Proving how Jarheads can sleep anywhere, anytime.

Ironically, Stallone’s ‘Rocky III’ that opened months later, seemed more conceivable than ‘First Blood’.

In recent times, those in the Guard and reserves must contend with call ups, additional drills and overseas deployments. It is not unusual for a reservist to find themselves overseas for up to a year, augmenting those on active duty and being treated with the same respect and admiration for doing so.

With Meyer joining their ranks, it will be another win for all parties for a stronger America.