Commander Rein enlisted in the United States Navy in 1980. He entered the Navy's enlisted nuclear power training program and served as a Reactor Operator on the USS POGY (SSN-647) until reporting to the United States Naval Academy in June 1984. In May 1988, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and was commissioned as an Ensign. Following commissioning, he completed the Navy's officer nuclear power training program.
In January 1990, Commander Rein reported to the fleet ballistic missile submarine, USS MICHIGAN (SSBN-728)(BLUE) in Bremerton, Washington. While aboard MICHIGAN, he served as the Main Propulsion Assistant and as the Damage Control Assistant. During his assignment, MICHIGAN completed six strategic deterrent patrols and was awarded the Submarine Squadron Seventeen Battle Efficiency "E".
Commander Rein reported to the NROTC Unit at the University of Washington in Seattle in June 1993. He served as the Senior Class Instructor and was advisor for the Unit’s senior class, Enlisted Commissioning Program, and Nuclear Enlisted Commissioning Program members. While stationed in Seattle, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma.
In February 1996, Commander Rein reported to USS FLORIDA (SSBN-728)(BLUE) to serve as the Strategic Weapons Officer. As the Weapons Officer, his department was tasked with the safe operation and maintenance of the launch and targeting systems for twenty-four intercontinental ballistic missiles, as well as the ship's torpedo and sonar systems. During his tour, he qualified for command at sea, completed an engineered overhaul and ship-wide recertification, and deployed on four strategic deterrent patrols. During this period, FLORIDA was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Submarine Squadron Seventeen Strategic Weapons "S".
Commander Rein reported to the Joint Staff in the Pentagon in October 1998. He served as the US representative to the NATO and Canadian information operations working groups prior to assignment as Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director for Operations (Information Operations).
In May 2001, Commander Rein reported to the Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit in Ballston Spa, New York as the Operations Officer at the S8G prototype. During this assignment Commander Rein supervised over 350 staff members performing training, operations, and maintenance at the prototype and qualified over 1300 enlisted and officer students as nuclear operators.
Commander Rein reported to the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in June 2003. He completed the Army’s year-long resident senior service college course of instruction and earned a Master of Strategic Studies degree. He began his assignment as NROTC Executive Officer in June, 2004.
Commander Rein's awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal (four awards), and the Good Conduct Medal, as well as various unit commendations.
