Upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in May 2000, Colonel Ben Reid was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, and after completing The Basic School and Infantry Officer Course, he was assigned as a Rifle Platoon Commander in Company C, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines where he deployed as part of a Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa. In April 2002, he was assigned duties as a Weapons Platoon Commander and conducted combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM I. Following return from deployment, Colonel Reid was assigned duties at the battalion’s Assistant Operations Officer.

In May 2004, Colonel Reid received orders to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, where he served as Series Commander, Company F. In April 2005, he was assigned duties as Operations Officer, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion.  From January 2006 until June 2007, Colonel Reid served as Company Commander, Company H.

In July 2007, Colonel Reid attended the Expeditionary Warfare School. Upon graduation with distinction in May 2008, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marines as Company Commander, Company B. During this period, he led the company during combat operations in Karmah, Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 02-09. Upon the battalion’s redeployment, Colonel Reid assumed duties as Company Commander, Weapons Company and as the battalion’s Fire Support Coordinator for deployment to Okinawa, Japan in support of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

In July 2011, Colonel Reid attended Marine Corps Command & Staff College. Graduating with distinction and earning a Masters of Military Studies degree in June 2012, he subsequently served as a Faculty Advisor at the Expeditionary Warfare School until June 2014. 

In July 2014, Colonel Reid was assigned as the Executive Officer, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, and deployed to Okinawa, Japan as part of the Unit Deployment Program in June 2015. During this deployment he served as the Landing Force Officer-in-Charge aboard USS Germantown (LSD-42) during the four months of a Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Exercise.

In January 2016, Colonel Reid reported to the 22nd MEU for duty as the Operations Officer. Deploying in June 2016, he participated in operations across U.S. European Command, U.S. Central Command, and U.S. Africa Command Areas of Responsibility, to include Operation ODYSSEY LIGHTNING in Sirte, Libya. Following deployment, the 22nd MEU’s Command Element was tasked to serve as the Command Element for Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa 18.1, and Colonel Reid deployed as the Operations Officer from October 2017 to April 2018.

In July 2018, Colonel Reid assumed command of 3d Battalion, 3d Marines and led the battalion through a deployment in support of the Unit Deployment Program to include the initial battalion reinforcement of Marine Rotational Forces–Darwin. Following command, Colonel Reid served as Executive Officer, 3d Marine Regiment.

From July 2020 to June 2021, Colonel Reid attended the U.S. Naval War College. Graduating with distinction and earning a Masters of National Security and Strategic Studies degree, Colonel Reid subsequently completed his joint tour as Deputy Plans and Sensitive Activities Chief, U.S. Special Operations Command from June 2021 to July 2023. 

Reporting to II Marine Expeditionary Force in August 2023, Colonel Reid augmented 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, serving as the J-35 for a Joint Task Force preparing for a limited contingency operation in the eastern Mediterranean in October and November 2023, and subsequently served as the Deputy Commander for Task Force 61/2 from January to April 2024.

Colonel Reid’s personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal with three gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat distinguishing device and two gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.