 He graduated from Helix's Griswold High School in 1962 and the United States Military Academy in 1966, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Armor.Rees completed Airborne and Ranger training, and was assigned as a platoon leader with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in West Germany.After completing several assignments, including two as commander of troops in the 2nd ACR, Rees went to Panama for Jungle warfare training.