Born Reginald Fullwood in April 1965, my friends and family know me as Reggie. I’m the eldest of three boys and was raised in Hampton, Virginia. My parents were hardworking. They provided a nice home and ensured my brothers, and I had the things we needed. I got excellent grades in school and felt honored to be respected by my peers as was once evidenced by being elected Senior Class President. I always loved playing sports – baseball, basketball and football were my top 3. As a kid, I took pride in being an All-Star Little League catcher.
After graduating high school, I attended the United States Military Academy in West
Point, New York. I was academically committed and frequently made Dean’s List. Athletics remained an important part of my life, and I played on the Army football team as a starting defensive back. One of the most memorable experiences of my life was receiving an award at the White House. In celebration of defeating the Naval Academy and the Air Force teams, I joined my football team at the White House where President Ronald Reagan presented the Commander in Chief trophy to us.
In 1987, I graduated as a commissioned second lieutenant with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from West Point and devoted the next decade of my life to active duty. I proceeded to Fort Rucker in Alabama where I completed the Aviation Officer Basic Course and Army Flight School. In 1988, I transferred to the 2nd Infantry Division as a platoon leader at Camp Casey in South Korea. A year later, I transferred to the 7th Infantry Division at Fort Ord in California where I served as a flight operation officer and aviation liaison officer. In 1993, I relocated to New York’s Fort Drum where I served as the aviation battalion personnel officer then company commander for the 10th Mountain Division. In September of 1994, we deployed to Haiti for Operation Uphold Democracy after a military coup overthrew the elected president. I commanded a U.S. aviation company from an ad hoc base near the Port-au-Prince airfield. We accomplished our mission, and everyone returned home safely after seven months. I rotated out of my command position in 1996 then transferred to the Army Concepts Analysis Agency in Bethesda, Maryland. I resigned my active-duty commission in 1997, then continued serving in the Army Reserves retiring in 2009.
In 1997, I enrolled in the MBA program at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. I completed an internship with Merrill Lynch before graduating with my MBA in 1999. I became an investment banker and later served as Senior Vice President and General Manager for several large casinos. Though I was quite successful, my entrepreneurial spirit drove me to pursue self-employment opportunities. In 2014, I purchased a DME (Durable Medical Equipment) company. Unfortunately, a few years in, I made a series of poor decisions that led me into the federal criminal justice system.
I have accepted responsibility for my crime and have spent the past several years seeking atonement. Throughout my life, I have had the unwavering support of my wife of 37 years, Kathi. This case has been no exception. Together we’ve raised our four wonderful children who have all achieved success in their own rite. As a grandfather, father and husband, I strive to be a positive example. Like everyone else, I want my family to be proud of the man I am. I have a responsibility to make amends and to show that I am an honorable man who made a mistake, took ownership and subsequent action. I cherish the oaths I took while attending West Point and serving this great nation. Despite mistakes, I will continue living by those values.
