Photo By Sgt. Shantelle Campbell | Maj. Mark Moss, chaplain with the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry...... read more read more
TIKRIT, Iraq – A once in a lifetime opportunity occurred for Maj. Mark Moss, the brigade chaplain for the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, out of Fort Riley, Kan., during his recent mid-tour leave.
Chaplain Moss, currently deployed to northern Iraq, was able to attend his son, 2nd Lt. Jonathan Moss' graduation from Officer Candidate School and administer the Oath of Office at his commissioning ceremony held in Columbus, Ga., April 8.
"Having my father back on mid-tour to be able to swear me in was very important to me," said 2nd Lt. Moss. "To be sworn in by my father was a very inspirational and significant event in my life. It means the world to me that his unit and commander were able to spare him for mid-tour so that he could be present when I was commissioned. It is an event that will be forever etched in my mind with pride."
During the ceremony, 2nd Lt. Moss' lieutenant bars were pinned on by his mother and his wife, Jennifer, a fifth grade teacher who flew in from Portland for the ceremony.
Second Lieutenant Moss joined his siblings in military service as well. His sister, Senior Airman Marie Lumives is a hydraulic mechanic stationed at Yokata Air Base, Japan, while his brother, Pvt. Nathan Moss is a field artilleryman in Schweinfurt, Germany.
"I never imagined I would have three children serving our country in the military. We are proud of Jon and all of our children," Chaplain Moss said.
After working sales for six years, 2nd Lt. Moss decided to join the Army and went to OCS immediately following Basic Combat Training. At basic training, 2nd Lt. Moss felt the needed to lead from the front.
"I remember being asked once by a fellow Soldier in basic training why I worked to know so many details about the weapons system we were working on," said 2nd Lt. Moss, "to which my reply was 'I'm going to be that guy'… the one who knows everything about this stuff."
A humble, yet hard working 2nd Lt. Moss is looking forward to his future assignment at Fort Lewis, Wash.
"I'm excited to meet my company, chain of command, platoon and platoon sergeant. I'm eager to apply the knowledge, skills and abilities that I'm being taught and also learn from the other Soldiers I will be working with while developing myself from the mentorship that I will receive," he said.
"His experience, maturity, and natural leadership skills will serve him well," concluded Chaplain Moss. "I believe he is ready for the challenges of being a new officer."
The future is bright for 2nd Lt. Moss as he follows a proud legacy of Family tradition.
| Date Taken: | 05.01.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.01.2010 07:31 |
| Story ID: | 48976 |
| Location: | TIKRIT, IQ |
| Web Views: | 428 |
| Downloads: | 351 |
This work, A family unites in service, by MAJ Rebecca Walsh, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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