 Rees retired in a ceremony on July 13, 2013, with his official date of retirement as July 31, and his 47 years of service surpassed the tenure of most full (four-star) generals.His retirement ceremony was attended by former Governor Kulongoski and General Frank J. Grass, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, who presented Rees with the Distinguished Service Medal.In February, 2014 Rees began work as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Training, Readiness and Mobilization.