A 'couple' of promotions: Wing husband and wife team get promoted to same rank on same day

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ebony Nichols
  • 917th Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AFB, La. --  Married couples are usually together before work and after work, but there is one 917th couple who brings "togetherness" to an all new level.

Senior Master Sergeants Bonnie and Hollis Reeves even managed to get promoted the same day, Sept. 1.

"We have worked together for 18 years, ever since we met on active duty," Hollis said. Amazingly, this is the first simultaneous promotion they've experienced.

Although the pair of maintainers was trying for the same rank, each was supportive of the other.

"We picked on each other a lot, but there was no true competition," the Reeves said in agreement.

After 15 and a half years of marriage, Bonnie and Hollis know each other pretty well; it's not always that easy for their co-workers.

In New Orleans, "pilots would come to my aircraft instead of going to his, (because) we were parked next to each other," said Bonnie.

Living and working together leaves little room for privacy.

"We are always getting each other's email," Hollis said. "There aren't any secrets."

Most would agree that not having secrets is the best way to go. Spending so much time together leaves these members very little choice.

The best part of working together is "having something in common," said Hollis. "When I come home to vent, I don't get the deer in headlights stare." He adds, "Sometimes it takes people several years to realize we're married, and that makes some situations really fun for me."

Since the beginning of time men and women look at the same picture and get two different interpretations. This situation is no different.

"I like knowing where he is all the time," said Bonnie, sharing a laugh with her husband.

"The best part about working together is that through it all, we understand what the other is doing. Things weren't always easy early in our careers, but we made it through," she said.

There are many perks to working with a spouse, but the Reeves must take the joys with the struggles.

"The hardest thing we've had to deal with is staying individual and not just 'his wife' or 'her husband.' We had to earn the promotions we were given," she said.

Hollis has been in the military for 20 years. He plans to retire soon, but Bonnie will still be working with the world's greatest maintainers, but not with the one she likes most.

"I'm going first," said Hollis. "She's going to support me."

After retirement, Hollis plans to "work on motorcycles, and hopefully, I'll still be able to race dirt bikes."

Twenty one years into Bonnie's career, she looks forward to her retirement.

"I will retire almost two years after he does," she said. "I plan to get on my Harley and just ride; then stop at a hotel and ride some more - or until he makes me come home."

The Reeves have made their plans for the future, but it is not time for retirement yet. Until then, they plan to continue striving for excellence at home and in the workplace.

"It takes special people to do what we do (work with your spouse) and feel pride and a sense of accomplishment," said Bonnie. "At the end of the day you have your second half there with you."