CUSPIS VIR advocates

CUSPIS VIR advocates CUSPIS VIR advocates CUSPIS VIR advocates

CUSPIS VIR advocates

CUSPIS VIR advocates CUSPIS VIR advocates CUSPIS VIR advocates

DJ REYES

SERVANT LEADER/NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ADVOCATE

"NO RESERVE. NO RETREAT. NO REGRETS."

WELCOME - AND Thanks for checking out my website. I chose "Cuspis Vir" because the literal (Latin) translation is "Point Man." In the Army, the Point Man is the first man in the patrol - the first to navigate the route, to warn others of potential obstacles, and often times to make first contact with the enemy. As you'll read below, I've chosen to focus my energies on meaningful local to national level social issues that impact our communities today. i believe in "taking point" in advocacy, education, awareness, and good citizen involvement in order to make our society better. what i think, say, or do i will capture here and i hope it resonates with you - and propels you to action as well! If you're already engaged in supporting the programs I mention here and noted "In the News", please share with me what you're doing and what your best practices, or challenges are. My contact info is below (gmail, LinkedIN, Facebook). Please connect!

SERVANT LEADER

COMMUNITY AWARDS AND RECOGNTION

NATIONAL ADVOCATE

 Retired US Army Colonel with over 33 years of faithful service to our great Nation. Earning his bachelors, masters, and juris doctor degrees from the University of Notre Dame, the US Naval War College, and Temple University School of Law, DJ’s leadership resume also includes key command and staff positions in special forces / special operations, military intelligence, infantry, airborne, air assault, Joint/Interagency, and Multi-National organizations. His combat and contingency deployments included tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, North Africa, Bosnia, Kosovo, Haiti and Korea. 

NATIONAL ADVOCATE

COMMUNITY AWARDS AND RECOGNTION

NATIONAL ADVOCATE

  

Post military retirement, DJ helped establish in Tampa FL the Volunteer Veteran Mentor Corps that directly supports the nationally acclaimed Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) in 2013.  The VTC assists veterans in trouble with the law due to a disorder or condition incurred during military service. DJ is a national veteran advocate who has briefed in the White House and on Capitol Hill, who assisted in the passage of HR886 – the VTC Coordination Act of 2019 (national funding for all VTCs), and HR3967/S3373 PACT Act (Toxic Exposures/Burn Pits).  He sits on various national, US Congressional, and State advisory boards. 

 DJ supports the Heart Dance Foundation and is an advocate in combatting human trafficking in the Tampa Bay region. He is a Tampa Mayoral appointed member (and current Vice-Chair) on Tampa’s Citizens Review Board which oversees Tampa Police and community interaction and issues. 

Finally, DJ and his wife Julie are community advocates on various social issues and are active members with various military bases and organizations (MacDill AFB, VFW, American Legion, Marine Corps League, local National Guard and Reserve units), and interact with local business, civic and non-profit organizations (ie, Tampa Business Chamber of Commerce, Hiring Our Heroes Foundation, United Way’s Mission United, etc). 

COMMUNITY AWARDS AND RECOGNTION

COMMUNITY AWARDS AND RECOGNTION

COMMUNITY AWARDS AND RECOGNTION

  

In 2023, the US Secretary of Veterans Affairs appointed DJ to the US Veterans Affairs' Committee on Homeless Veterans.   In 2022, DJ received the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Distinguished Service Award and the Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW) National Citation for support to both veteran and community service programs.  In 2021, DJ was notified of his selection by the FL Governor and Cabinet into the FL Veterans Hall of Fame. In 2020, DJ received the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) Community Hero Award, the Lieutenant General James Peake Award for Community Service to Veterans in the Judicial system, and the University of Notre Dame’s Reverend William Corby Award for Distinguished Military and Community Service. In 2018, WFLA (NBC) recognized DJ as Tampa’s “GR8 Inspiration” for his life saving work in the VTC. In 2016, DJ was awarded with the Hillsborough County Bar Association’s highest award – the Liberty Bell Award – for his exemplary efforts in promoting, and advocating for, the legal judicial system and process as it supports the local veterans and special needs communities. 

Connect With me: djreyes1957@gmail.com

Photo Gallery

    IN THE NEWS

    IN THE NEWS

    2023


    03 February: US Congresswoman Kathy Castor (FL-14) announces the selection of Colonel DJ Reyes (USA retired) to attend the 7 February 2023 POTUS State of the Union Address:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE9epMJd0og


    27 January: Combat Stress Magazine: Leveraging the Power of Community to help our Veterans

    https://www.stress.org/leveraging-the-power-of-community-to-help-our-veterans?fbclid=IwAR2QslV1QCK5nFCiPDc6kIXJHu19sErx2gEAOr-PKmp_E-2QyPUN4z_Ggfg


    2022


    11 December:   Recent interview snippet supporting Bay News 9 coverage of the PACT Act (Toxic Exposures) and this weekend's VA information sessions held in Bay Pines and Haley VA centers:

    https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2022/12/10/bay-pines-host-pact-act-sessions- 


    24 November:   Fox 13's Gloria Gomez coverage of Tampa Veterans Treatment Court Judge and Veteran Mentors providing Thanksgiving Turkey meals to its Veterans and families in need:   

     https://www.fox13news.com/news/legal-program-for-veterans-in-hillsborough-county-delivers-thanksgiving-to-those-who-served


    07 November: Veterans Day Interview with Bill Murphy, Bay News 9:   https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2022/11/07/veteran-s-mission-is-to-make-life-easier-for-other-vets# 


    04 September: Veterans Corner Radio Interview.  Veterans Treatment Court Interview 5 of 5 - Perspectives from the Senior Veteran Mentor Program Coordinator, Tampa VTC.  https://www.buzzsprout.com/952243/11247260-veterans-treatment-court-mentor-number-one-gives-a-little-background-on-the-start-of-the-court-but-more-importantly-how-he-has-worked-to-spread-the-program-across-the-nation-retired-colonel-dj-reyes-has-much-to?t=0


    03 September: Commentary on the recently signed PACT Act (Burn Pits/Toxic Exposure) in "Combat Stress Magazine Summer/Fall edition:   https://www.stress.org/wp-content/themes/Avada-child/lib/3d-flip-book/3d-flip-book/?mag_id=63543&token=58030 


    22 August: WFLA/WTTA Bloom TV interview with host Gayle Guyardo and the PACT Act (Toxic Exposures):  https://www.wfla.com/bloom/the-most-comprehensive-veterans-health-care-bill-that-addresses-toxic-exposures-is-now-law/


    17 August: "The Leadership Void" Veteran Podcast with Vince and Enrique: Thoughts on the Veterans Treatment Court (VTC), veteran legislation, leadership and advice to our next Greatest Generation of military leaders:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVlwkxy4-2Y


    29 July: WFTS - ABC 28 interview on the recent failed US Senate vote (S3373 PACT Act / Toxic Exposures) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyAg33tHpHM


    14 July:  Tampa City Council recognizes COL DJ Reyes with City Commendation:  https://www.facebook.com/1537098978/videos/pcb.10228207162954407/1110778293119535


    27 June: WFLA/WTTS 38 Bloom:  Status of HR3967 "Toxic Exposures/Burn Pits" legislation and the impending approval and POTUS signing into law:

    https://www.wfla.com/bloom/leave-no-veteran-behind/


    17 June:  WFTS ABC interview with Wendi Lane on the impact of HR3967 PACT Act:  https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-sarasota-manatee/bill-to-help-with-burn-pit-care-moves-forward-could-help-millions-of-impacted-veterans


    16 June:  Senate passes historic Veterans Health legislation (HR3967 PACT Act) - House anticipates final vote enroute to POTUS for signature:  https://www.politico.com/news/2022/06/16/senate-burn-pit-bill-biden-00040195


    27 May: Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (FDVA) Veterans Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony:

    https://thefloridachannel.org/videos/4-27-22-florida-veterans-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony/


    19 April:  James Haley VA Consolidated Mental Health Clinic Ground Breaking Ceremony, Temple Terrace FL:  https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2022/04/19/new-facility-in-tampa-to-provide-mental-health-care-services-for-veterans# 


    11 March: US Congresswoman Castor and Veterans Legislation Update/Roundtable:     https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=notif&v=1161512287987404&notif_id=1647017770181845&notif_t=live_video_explicit


    04 March: US House passes Toxic Exposures (Burn Pits) PACT Act:  https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403796&fbclid=IwAR1mkRz5HzynmCsqHPipLWCHVb3W7hAbZNpGUqY30hdIv4sN9ZkXu17ATsA


    12 January:  Recent signing of Burn Pits Legislation (Burn Pits Health Provider Training Act) :  https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2022/01/11/burn-pit-legislation


    2021


    22 November: WFTS ABC segment on Tampa VTC Judge and Mentors supporting the Annual Thanksgiving Meal Delivery to VTC veterans:   

    https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-hillsborough/veterans-deliver-turkeys-and-hope-to-troubled-vets

    11 November: WFTS ABC segment on Tampa's VTC:  https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-hillsborough/special-hillsborough-veterans-court-provides-treatment-instead-of-sending-troubled-vets-to-jail


    11 November (from 2019):  Tampa Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) Salute to Veterans:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPp4J8nb_bY 


    11 November: University of Notre Dame Annual Veterans Day "Salute to Veterans" Interview:  

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4g0ZeczWDs


    20 October: University of Notre Dame Reverend William Corby Award Dinner Remarks:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=394Z-ejT8og

    13 October: University of Notre Dame Press Release Reverend William Corby Award: https://news.nd.edu/news/alumni-association-announces-2021-corby-and-cavanaugh-award-recipients/


    12 October: (Video) University of Notre Dame Reverend William Corby Award for Distinguished Military Service, 2 October 2021, Notre Dame Stadium:   https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=655211478796066 


    06 October: Real America's Voice Interview on Veterans, PTSD, and the Veterans Treatment Court (VTC):   https://youtu.be/xz3H6mtbEz0 


    20 September: WFLA Bloom interview with Gayle Guyardo on the Tampa VTC and the MHCV 501c3:  https://www.wfla.com/bloom/tampas-veterans-treatment-court-grabs-national-attention/ 


    08 September: Pictorial of Commemoration Ceremony, VTC Fallen, 13th Judicial Circuit VTC:   https://youtu.be/syYMt5zbl7g 


    30 August: Real America's Voice Interview on Afghanistan Withdrawal:   https://youtu.be/rkVIW0E7GeQ 


     26 August: Address to Tampa City Council on honoring our local veterans / military support to the Afghanistan Campaign:   https://youtu.be/VbEuCLRouuI?t=5222 


    26 August: https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/retired-tampa-colonel-reacts-to-kabul-attack-that-killed-us-troops/?fbclid=IwAR3M-JiLJmoZg8OjsgP1o8equTd1GC0scGjVGCV_1g8E79QeGh39P0PstX4

    23 August: https://www.wfla.com/news/perspectives-concerns-and-feelings-veterans-have-on-the-two-decade-war-in-afghanistan/


    19 August: https://www.tampabay.com/news/military/2021/08/19/tampa-bay-military-veterans-react-to-taliban-takeover-of-afghanistan/


    17 August: WFLA 8 (Tampa) interview on the Afghanistan Withdrawal:  https://www.wfla.com/news/international/tampa-veteran-reacts-to-chaos-in-afghanistan-during-taliban-takeover/


    16 August: https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local-news/tampa-veteran-reacts-to-the-situation-in-afghanistan


    14 April:  WFLA 8 (Tampa) interview on recent POTUS announcement to withdraw troops from AFG: 

     https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/local-veterans-react-to-pres-bidens-decision-to-withdraw-troops-from-afghanistan/ 


    13 April:  FOX 13 (Tampa) interview on recent POTUS announcement to withdraw troops from AFG: 

    https://www.fox13news.com/news/bay-area-afghanistan-veterans-recall-painful-war 

    ​

    11 March: Tampa FL's Haley VA "PREP" program another means to help local SOF warriors with reintegration, resiliency:  

     https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/85533/coming-home-real/?utm_source=VRlink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=VetResources


    22 February: Veterans Corner Radio (Podcast):

    https://www.buzzsprout.com/952243/7956091


    15 February: University of Notre Dame "We Are ND" -  https://weare.nd.edu/stories/bringing-support-and-treatment-to-veterans-in-need/ 


    2020

    ​

    December 2020 Winter Edition, Combat Stress Magazine: https://www.stress.org/soldier-for-life-one-veterans-perspective-and-beliefs-in-why-service-to-the-nation-is-important


    01 December:  Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) "ChangeMakers":   https://www.moaa.org/micro/changemakers/changemakers/ 


    26 November: Fox13 Gloria Gomez covers VTC Mentors' Annual Thanksgiving Meal Program for its VTC veterans:

    https://www.fox13news.com/news/veterans-get-free-thanksgiving-dinners-with-a-side-of-gratitude

    ​

    12 November: StepUpAmericaProgram.org Podcast "The Franklin Project":  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYFUzlqt8jY

    ​

    11 November: LTG James Peake Community Service Award (Bay Area Legal Services):

    ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYiwOCjVSwM&feature=youtu.be

    ​

    21 August:  Radio Interview 1180AM WFYL (Phila, PA) on Tampa's VTC and Mentor Program:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyE2ykpZLeg&list=PLrb1ux_dsaHXMWQTpSBsY7takJfH570lR&index=2&t=0s 

    ​

    21 August:   Pandemic Poses Challenges For Veterans Treatment Courts

    https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/2020-08-21/pandemic-poses-challenges-for-veterans-treatment-courts


    13 August: Tampa City Councilman Viera hosted panel with VTC Judges Michael Scionti and Gregory Holder, and senior veteran mentors DJ Reyes and Jim Fletcher: 

    https://www.facebook.com/councilmanluis/videos/2993244120786096/?vh=e&extid=qUYuL1GJT1uZnLwl&d=n

    ​

    8 August:  POTUS signs VTC Legislation into law:

    https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/national/military-news/president-trump-signs-veteran-treatment-court-coordination-act-into-law/67-

    67253e3c-76cc-42f3-a8c5-15a7282b813f

    ​

    28 July: WFLA Bloom 38 TV Interview with Gayle Guyardo on VTC and HR886

    ​

    https://www.wfla.com/bloom/community-voice-on-veterans-issues/

    21July  HR886 VTC Bill Passed:

    ​

    https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-military/2020/07/21/congress-approves-bill-giving-federal-support-to-veterans-treatment-courts/ 

    ​

    15 July Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero Award (Video): 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNXysBdnI3E


    https://www.nhl.com/lightning/news/col-dj-reyes-honored-as-lightning-community-hero/c-317452512tcid=fb_news_content_id&fbclid=IwAR3u9P4mcZtSfdVvvyU_uYif8luFWEBm4yUuk41lspR2eUjtoWP8TU2iNw (press release)

    ​

    22 April  VTC legislation commentary:  

    https://www.militarytimes.com/opinion/commentary/2020/04/22/why-congress-should-support-a-national-veterans-treatment-court-program/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EBB%2004.22.20&utm_term=Editorial%

    20-%20Early%20Bird%20Brief

    ​

    2019

    ​

    23 December https://ruiz.house.gov/media-center/e-newsletters/president-trump-signs-dr-ruizs-legislation-address-military-burn-pits-law

    17 December https://www.mcsally.senate.gov/mcsallys-veteran-treatment-court-bill-passes-senate 

    ​

    11 November https://www.fox13news.com/news/hillsborough-countys-veterans-court-program-to-get-national-funding 

    ​

    11 November  Tampa Bay Arts & Entertainment 

    Network "Veteran Strong" Series: https://watch.tbae.net/m/Wj0KzgyL/immertec-tampa-bay-solar-hillsborough-county-

    veterans-court?list=sPzFWYHN

    ​

    11 November Tampa Bay Times Coverage, 13th

    Judicial Circuit's Veterans Treatment Court (VTC): 

    https://www.tampabay.com/news/military/2019/11/11/tampas-veterans-treatment-court-sets-a-national-bar/

    ​

    08 November VTC "Salute to Veteran Mentors" and

    Graduation Ceremony: 

    https://www.fox13news.com/video/623615


    08 November: FL AG Moody Press Conference

    on Military and Veteran Assistance Program, and

    Bi-Partisan (State Attorneys General) support to urge US Congress' passing of HR886: 

    https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/new-statewide-legal-helpline-in-place-to-help-protect-

    veterans-service-members/


    MHCV support to National Veterans Court Initiative

    and proposed HR886, Veterans Treatment Court

    Coordination Act of 2019:

    https://www.moaa.org/content/publications-and-media/news-articles/2019-news-articles/moaa-members-seek-expanded-federal-support-for-veterans-treatment-courts/

     

    11 April 2019 "rebuttal" testimony before FL Senate Appropriations Committee and SB910:

    https://thefloridachannel.org/videos/4-11-19-senate-appropriations-committee-part-2/ 

    Time Segment:  5:13 - 13:54


    Veterans Treatment Court - Public Service Announcement (Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b9q84oQwJY


    2018


    11 February: The Truth About Military Parades:  https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/02/pageantry-military-parades/552953/



    University of Notre Dame Reverend William Corby CSC Award

    The University of Notre Dame and the NDAA annually selects one of its military alum (living or deceased) for distinguished military service. 

    2020 Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) Community Hero Award (Video)

    Colonel DJ Reyes, Senior Mentor Program Coordinator (Tampa FL Veterans Treatment Court) 

    Video

    LTG James Peake Award for Community Service to local area Veterans in Tampa Bay (Bay Area Legal Services)

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