From 'pound sand' to protector: how a USAG Rheinland-Pfalz Army Civilian turned rejection into leadership and community service

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany - When he graduated from Hueneme High School in Oxnard, California in 1998, Lee Lewis longed to be a police officer. So, after three years of college, on Sept. 11, 2001, he took a shot with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.

"They told me to go pound sand," Lewis said, laughing. "They said I was a good candidate, but to come back in five years. I really didn't have five years."

A challenge. Fortunately, Lewis liked challenges, and today, as the deputy director for the Directorate of Emergency Services at U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz, he sees them every day. Along with his work in the community as both a semi-pro football player and his volunteer efforts coaching youth sports, Lewis has found his niche.

Fusing these two worlds is where Lewis' leadership shines, said Claude Jones, a colleague of Lewis' since 2020.

"He's a team builder," Jones said. "He's someone you want to be like."

How It Started

Not long after the Ventura Sheriff's 'No,' Lewis found an Army recruiting station, got a military job as a policeman, and embarked on a career as a Soldier who also had a passion to coach and play football.

At the start of his military career, Specialist Lewis saw an opportunity to play arena football for a local team. His squad leader didn't agree with the choice.

"He told me, 'Give up all those dreams and focus on being an NCO," Lewis said. Another challenge, which Lewis accepted, and did well as an NCO. A decade later, he also started back with football thanks to a more level-headed boss.

Following his Army retirement after 18 years of service and a short stay in Texas, Lewis joined Installation Management Command at USAG Rheinland-Pfalz in 2020, serving as DES operations officer.

A Career Serving Soldiers

In his role as DES deputy, Lewis currently supervises physical security, law enforcement and emergency response at 26 Army sites that make up the 'home away from home' to the largest population of Americans outside of the U.S. That response includes seven fire stations that assist on mutual aid calls in the German community and police officers who watch over the garrison and the local communities in collaboration with their Air Force counterparts.

Prior to Lewis becoming the DES deputy, he served as chief of operations for one of the most complex garrisons in Europe. Jaime Belmont, Lewis' successor in that role, was brand new to the world of 'Ops.'

"It's a big job. I was worried I would not be able to reach the same level of execution he did," said Belmont, who came from an Army plans and stationing background. "What made it a little easier was knowing Lee wasn't too far away. I knew I wasn't alone."

Belmont also saw how the influence of coaching and playing football melded with Lewis' leadership style. "He's direct. No baloney. He's got zero problem saying something is dumb."

The man they call 'Coach'

After military retirement, Lewis was between jobs in Texas. He tried out as a walk-on at the University of Texas at Austin but was told, in so many words, to walk off. So, Lewis took up the mantel as 'coach' in the community, first coaching soccer ("I took it up randomly. I'd never played.") and later here volunteering with Army Child and Youth Services to coach sports.

His leadership on the job mirrors the influence he has on volunteering and coaching youth. Identical twins Jacob and Caleb Mills, 13, play CYS football. Their mother, Aneis Mills, has seen growth in both of her sons, but highlighted a pivotal moment in 2025 -- when the boys began hitting-and-tackling practice -- where Lewis had a profound effect on Jacob.

"(Jacob) was a scared little kid. He wasn't doing what we taught him, and when we finished practice that night, he didn't speak to me and was crying," Aneis said. "Lee messaged me right after practice. He knew something was up. I told him I didn't know what to do. The next day, Lee pulled Jacob aside and talked to him, and by the end of that practice, (Jacob) was hitting other kids full on.

"I've seen both my sons' growth in football and leadership because of Lee. He has a calling to give back to the community," she added.

Lewis also continued playing tackle football as quarterback and linebacker in Belgium, and later as player and coach in semi-pro football locally. Torrance Brown, an IMCOM-Europe staff member, coached against Lewis in 2024 and said Lewis' ability to overcome challenges was notable.

"I think you see his drive in the work he delivers with IMCOM," said Brown, who also serves as an assistant coach for the European Football League Frankfurt Galaxy. "He's always ensured everything we needed from him and his team got done."

Challenges Accepted and Overcome

Lewis' sister, Blair, said from his time wanting to be a Ventura County Sheriff to being an Army leader, she knew Lee would always stand tall.

"Lee has overcome so much," she said. "He's had so many blows in life and he's always stood tall. He has been my biggest inspiration and role model."

For Lewis, supporting warfighters and empowering his team turns every challenge into an opportunity.

"Serving the community is the real reward. The police, the first responders and the things we do so warfighters can go off and do great things. That matters," Lewis said.

USAG Rheinland-Pfalz sets, serves and secures the total force community, enabling power projection for the European Theater. Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/usag_rp