David Reyes

After my first semester at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, I decided to join the U.S Army in hopes to help my financial need going through college which meant I had to skip my spring semester of college. By the grace of God I successfully complete their basic combat training (BCT), and furthermore their Advanced Individual Traning (AIT) as a 12N (Horizontal Construction Engineer) which consist of heavy equipment operation. Since im a reservist I get called to go to my duty station which is located at Mcallen Tx. About one weekend a month. Im currently in the Army and expect to end around 2030 God willing. During my short time as an elisted reserve soldier i have learned the following:

• Developed proficiency in military protocols and procedures through hands-on training.
• Assisted in maintaining equipment readiness and operational efficiency during training exercises.
• Collaborated with team members to complete assigned tasks effectively in high-pressure environments.
• Learned and applied safety regulations to ensure compliance during operations.
• Participated in physical fitness training to enhance team performance and individual resilience.
• Adapted quickly to evolving situations, demonstrating flexibility in dynamic environments.
• Operated and maintained armored vehicles.
• Ensured mission readiness by maintaining personal weapons proficiency, scoring highly on annual qualification tests consistently.
• Achieved mission success by effectively leading a diverse group of soldiers during high-stress situations.

Self-Watering Moisture Sensor Pump System
Created a moisture-controlled irrigation system for potted plants using a soil-moisture sensor and a submersible water pump. Programmed the system to activate only when soil humidity dropped below a certain threshold, ensuring efficient water use.

Sensor-Activated Automatic Trash Bin
Designed and built an automatic trash bin using an ultrasonic distance sensor, microcontroller, and servo motor. Programmed the system to detect proximity and automatically lift the lid, improving hygiene and touch-free operation.

NASA HUNCH Program – Lunar Habitat Space Chair Prototype
Selected to participate in the NASA HUNCH program to design and construct a human-support "space chair" intended for future lunar living environments. Assisted in research, material selection, design planning, and building a prototype that focused on astronaut comfort, adjustability, and durability in low-gravity conditions.