Courtesy Photo | Army Maj. Nicholas Moses, former Defense Contract Management Agency Detroit deputy...... read more read more
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DETROIT - Army Maj. Nicholas Moses is a warfighter. He served in Operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. He was a mustang, serving time in both the enlisted and officer ranks.
He successfully molded the Army’s next generation as a drill sergeant, excelled at air assault school, served as an international liaison to Korean augmentees, was a proud member of the 101st Airborne’s “Nasty Dawgs,” embraced a role as a primary leadership development course instructor and embedded with Kurdish forces in Iraq.
For the last two years, Moses has served the warfighter as Defense Contract Management Agency Detroit’s deputy contracts director. After an illustrious 27-year career, this humble hero, who his commanding officer Army Col. William Robare called a “soldier for life,” recently retired.
“Nick is an exceptional soldier who has succeeded in both the enlisted and officer ranks while serving in the infantry, field artillery, and the acquisition corps,” said Robare. “He is a consummate professional who has demonstrated the values and character that epitomize our profession of arms throughout his 27 years of service.”
Ross Davenport, Detroit’s contracts director, was immediately impressed with Moses’ professionalism and work ethic. That respect grew when Moses volunteered to serve as a contracts team lead after an unexpected vacancy left the command short-handed.
“Maj. Moses has done a tremendous job while serving with our contract management office,” said Davenport, a retired Navy officer. “He started out working on the Stryker program and then became my predecessor’s deputy director. I’m honored to have served with Nick. He has made countless sacrifices for his country over the last 27 years and has made a tremendous impact while serving here.”
After serving time in both the infantry and field artillery military occupational specialties, Moses was initially introduced to the acquisition corps in 2003. On a 2005-06 deployment, Moses served as a member of an embedded team rebuilding the Iraqi Army, which further developed his appreciation and understanding of acquisition. During this time, he applied and accepted a transition to the acquisition corps. That acceptance was not officially processed until 2009 however, and Moses faced a difficult decision.
“I was retirement eligible then and almost threw in the towel, but acquisition was a breath of fresh air beneath my parachute,” said the Oklahoma, native. “I really believe I had finally found an avenue where I could support the warfighter and provide impact similar to being a drill sergeant.”
According to Robare, Moses’ previous Army experience provided an opportunity for sustained success within the acquisition community.
“Nick’s multiple combat deployments and progression through the leadership ranks have instilled in him the grave responsibility and the deep appreciation for what it requires to take care of his men and equipment while striving to accomplish the mission,” said Robare. “Nick was successful in articulating the importance of DCMA’s mission to the workforce by using his experiences to highlight the criticality of timely contractual actions, quality assurance, industrial surveillance and on-time delivery.”
Moses, who compared the agency’s defense acquisition role to “sergeants — the backbone of the Army,” quickly developed an appreciation for agency operations. “I’ve learned that DCMA is truly at the tip of the acquisition spear. Costs parameters, schedule shift and contractor performance are the key ingredients. The agency is chartered with ensuring the men and women required to meet with, engage and stop our nation’s adversaries have high-quality service and products in a timely manner to ensure our soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen have what they to need to accomplish their mission.”
After 27 years, Moses is ready for what he calls “the military afterlife,” which is a sentiment Robare echoes.
“I know Nick would be a valuable asset in any organization whether it is federal or industry,” said the commander. “I have no doubt he will quickly rise to a position of leadership in any organization he joins. Nick will be sorely missed. I wish him much success as he moves into this next chapter of his life.”
Once again a civilian, Moses said he plans to continue working within the acquisition community, get a new motorcycle to help relieve stress and provide comic relief, and enjoy time with his grandchildren.
“There are some wonderful people in this world who needed my assistance,” said Moses, when asked what he will say if his grandchildren want to know about his time in the Army. “I was not able to help everyone, but I helped all I could. I have been able to see a world that reading about does an injustice. If I am a little different than some people, that is ok. I would not have traded places with anyone for what I have seen, heard and done.”
Pressed for time, he could simply say, “I was a warfighter.”
| Date Taken: | 06.16.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.16.2015 16:03 |
| Story ID: | 166847 |
| Location: | DETROIT, MI, US |
| Hometown: | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, US |
| Web Views: | 213 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, ‘Soldier for life’ retires after distinguished career, by Thomas Perry, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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