This story was originally published by Reasons to be Cheerful
When Rodolfo “Rudy” Reyes went diving in the Cayman Islands in 2015, the experience changed his life. The highly decorated veteran had logged thousands of dives as a Special Ops Force Recon Marine in 18 years of service. But, as Reyes recalls, “As combat divers we operate at night, pushing 200 pounds of equipment, carrying massive weapons. It’s very stressful and we focus on the mission — taking on the enemy.”
In the Caribbean, Reyes dove for the first time during daytime at his own pace, guided by his friend Jim Ritterhoff, who worked with the Central Caribbean Marine Institute. Ritterhoff remembers the moment vividly: “Here’s this trained combat diver, one of the best, most highly skilled individuals you’ll ever encounter underwater — yet he’s never seen a fish.”
At the time, Reyes was struggling with depression, post-traumatic stress and substance abuse. “I had a really hard drug habit after all these intense combat tours,” he admits, but diving in the Caymans, surrounded by vibrant marine life, reignited a sense of wonder. “It brought me back to life.”
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