ARLINGTON, VA., February 22, 2024 – Military Times and the Military Times Foundation have announced that Space Force Captain Daniel Reynolds has been recognized with the “Guardian of the Year” award.  This prestigious award has been presented for the past 23 years and honors one outstanding military member from each branch of service who has demonstrated exemplary military service going beyond the call of duty.  The non-profit organization returns all proceeds from the annual Military Times Service Members of the Year Award event to an array of veterans service organizations which help support the military community and their families.

Space Force Capt. Daniel Reynolds graduated the U.S. Army Ranger School in October 2023, making him the first Guardian to do so. But that is only one of the many accomplishments over the last year for Reynolds.

Reynolds led a 20-member joint force team through a ground validation event for an airborne downlink jammer, during which technical issues threatened to delay the test campaign for months. Reynolds and his team engineered a secondary test plan in less than 72 hours while located in a remote environment.

The team grew to 30 members shortly after the event, and Reynolds led it through four successful verification tests before serving as the ground force commander for the system’s first live-fire event. After the successful completion of all primary and secondary test objectives, he led the system’s integration into the operational survivability plans for multi-domain military satellite communication assets. His performance helped Space Force implement realistic threat testing three years ahead of schedule, for which he was given a special commendation from Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall.

Reynolds was also named one of 100 finalists for a White House Fellowship, for briefing a national military-civilian transition strategy. His platform was inspired by his hundreds of volunteer hours as a victim advocate within the Department of Defense’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program. He has also spent hundreds of hours — 225 in 2023 alone — providing crisis intervention, survivor support services and unit training facilitation for the 16,000-member military garrison at Peterson Space Force Base.

Capt. Reynolds was nominated by Space Force Lieutenant Colonel Lt Col Benjamin C. Szutar, who wrote: “The Guardian Commitment is embodied in Captain Daniel Reynolds. Time and time again, he has cemented himself in history as one of our Space Force’s most transformational military leaders. His vulnerability, selflessness, and empathy elevated him as one of Peterson Space Force Base’s most qualified, experienced, and senior victim advocates. Out of the thousands of service members that I have worked with, I cannot think of any who deserve this honor more than Daniel. I never met a young leader like him; his character, connection, commitment, and courage are truly unmatched.”

“Captain Reynolds’ exceptional leadership, innovative problem-solving, and dedication to service exemplify the highest military standards,” said Michael Reinstein, Chairman of Military Times Foundation.  “His resilience and innovative spirit embody the true essence of a Guardian, making this recognition not just an award but a testament to his transformative impact within the Space Force community.”

The Military Times Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) established to recognize, salute and highlight the exemplary service of active duty personnel serving in each branch of the U.S. Armed Services.

The annual Military Times Service Members of the Year Award has grown into a much-anticipated event. The awards ceremony has become one of Washington D.C.’s A-list events attended by congressional, military and community leaders.  Since 2019 Military Times and the Military Times Foundation have donated over $20 million in cash and media value to support over 150 military and veteran service organizations, such as Fisher House, Children of Fallen Patriots, TAPS, Objective Zero and others.

Sponsors of the event include Fisher House Foundation, Veteran Benefits Guide, Leonardo DRS, IHG Army Hotels, The Nationals and Delta. For more information on the selection process, history of the award, past winners, and other details, visit: servicemembersoftheyear.org

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Military Times Foundation
703-585-9523
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