He participated in an integrated Boy Scout troop and attended McKinley Technology High School, spending a period every summer at a camp on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.

As he was completing his junior year at Howard University, Congressman Charles Diggs, Jr., (D-MI), contacted him and encouraged him to apply to the United States Naval Academy.

In December 1970, Reason was assigned to the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65), in which he served until January 1973, making two deployments to the Southeast Asian and Indian Ocean areas.

From sea duty, he was assigned to Naval Reactors, Department of Energy for instruction until April 1983, when he took command of the nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser USS Bainbridge (CGN-25) until July 1986, during which period he was promoted to captain on 1 October 1983.

At the same time, he commanded Battle Group Romeo aboard the flagship USS New Jersey (BB-62) in operations in the Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf regions.

He has been a director of Amgen, Inc., Norfolk Southern Corporation, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Todd shipyards, as well as a member of the Oak Ridge Associated Universities, and the National War Powers Commission.