Time assumes a rhythm in places where 110 degree heat snatches your breath and sand clings to your clothing and boots.
It’s the summer of 2012 at Bagram Airfield located in Parwan Province, Afghanistan. As uniformed men and women come and go, Steve Reynolds thinks of his family and teammates at Duke Energy’s Catawba Nuclear Station.
After serving six months in a U.S. Navy unit providing security at the base, Reynolds made it home safely. His skills as a security officer at Catawba Nuclear Station came into play every day at Bagram.
“Afghanistan is not a place I would choose for a vacation. You serve with good people and you know that they are there just as you are and face the same stressors, and that helped,” said Reynolds. Still, he is glad to be home with his wife and family in Cherokee County, S.C.
Rejoining the security team at Catawba Nuclear Station was especially gratifying. He has spent five years in a job he enjoys with people he respects.
“We receive really good training at the station and have to meet strict qualifications. You hope nothing serious ever happens, but glad you are part of a team that can respond and handle the situation,” said Reynolds.
“Protective” defines Reynolds’ personality and career path. He spent 15 years in law enforcement, six years as a narcotics investigator, participated on a Drug Enforcement Administration taskforce and left the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department as a patrol lieutenant to join Catawba’s security team.
He joined the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1986, took a break then rejoined in 2011 where he serves as a Master at Arms First Class with nine years of service.
“I have always been patriotic and believe this is the greatest country on this earth. Catawba Nuclear Station is a great place to work and they have been very supportive of my military service,” said Reynolds.
Knowing he would have a job with Duke Energy when he returned from Afghanistan made it much easier for Reynolds and his family.
Duke Energy grants employees a leave of absence for military duty in the uniformed services with reinstatement rights for those employees who meet certain eligibility requirements.
“The management team at Catawba has been thoughtful and appreciative of my service. They were very supportive of my deployment. The company goes above and beyond to support its citizen soldiers,” said Reynolds.
