Reimer attended the United States Army War College from 1978 to 1979, and received his Master of Arts degree from Shippensburg State College in 1979. He was promoted to temporary colonel in August 1979 and served as deputy commander and later special assistant to the commander, V Corps Artillery, United States Army, Europe, from 1979 to 1980. Reimer was chosen to command Division Artillery, 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized) from 1980 to 1982 and was promoted to permanent colonel in March 1982. He moved on to become the division's chief of staff from 1982 to 1983.