Moore, Benjamin, III, CW2

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
I wanted to join the military as long as I can remember. I guess you could say that it is my calling. I would have joined at the age of 10 if they would have let me. I remember watching the news about Desert Storm when I was 11 and being mad that I could not be there to fight.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I joined the Marine Corps my Senior year in High School and left for Parris Island the day after I graduated. I spent 4 years on Active Duty in the Corps, during which time I served as an Infantry Team Leader, Squad Leader, Weapons and Tactics Instructor, and Primary Marksmanship Instructor. I deployed with A Co. 1/6 BLT on the 24th MEU in 1998 to the Mediterranean, where we trained with the Israelis, the Greeks, the Spanish, and conducted operations in support of Operation Allied Force and Noble Anvil. After my time in the Corps, I spent a few years as a Kentucky State Trooper. I loved my job and enjoyed every day. Unfortunately, the pay wasn't enough to properly take care of a family so I decided that I was going to live my childhood dream and fly helicopters. That is what brought me to Army Aviation. I am now an OH-58D(R) Cav Scout Pilot. It is the greatest job in the world! I find myself chuckling every time that I fly because I just can't get over being paid to do this amazing job. After flight school, I was stationed at Ft. Wainwright Alaska. And to answer your question, I didn't tick anyone off. I actually requested it. I love it here!! I have been deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn. I have had a distinct privilege to work with a great bunch of guys who have become very good friends along the way. Who knows where I will end up next.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
Operation New Dawn was quite the experience. Nothing like we expected. It was unusually quiet, and yet your head was on a swivel constantly. I will tell you that combat from an aviator' s perspective is completely different. It is not nearly as personal. I would have loved to walk through some of the ancient ruins and historical areas--but maybe someday. The dust storms are anything but pleasant. I hated the taste of Iraqi sand.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
I would have to say the first thing that comes to mind is doing a beach landing in WWII mike boats. Yeah, I couldn't believe it either. When I was in the Marine Corps deployed to the Mediterranean, we were cross training with the Spanish Marines and my Platoon was selected to stay on their ship for three days and do the assault with them. When we got geared up and walked out on the deck of the ship, one of the Greek guys pointed out over the side of the ship, and we could not figure out what he was talking about. He was trying to tell us to crawl over the side and climb down cargo nets into the mike boats. We all looked at each other with that "you've got to be kidding me look." All of their guys had 20 lbs. rucks on, and each one of our Marines had between a 70 and 100 lbs. combat loaded ruck. It was an experience of a lifetime for sure. It was great, though, when I got home because my Grandfather (who was a Battalion XO in the South Pacific in WWII) and I could share experiences and we had common ground. I sat and listened to him tell me things that no one else has ever heard. I am grateful for that.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
My Aviator Badge by far. Ask anyone who has spent two years in Flight School working harder than you ever thought possible, and they will say the same thing. I will never forget sitting in class one day and my buddy, who was a Captain, looked at me and said: "I feel like my brain is going to explode, and I have a Masters from West Point. This is no joke"--which, of course, just made me worry even more because I'm just a country boy from Kentucky. Haha! It was a whole lot of very hard work and long hours studying, but it was worth every second.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
I would have to say it is MSgt. Brandon Deskins. He was my Recruiter in the Marine Corps and now one of my best friends. He kicked me out of the Recruiting office the first 10 times that I came in. He gave me some stickers and brochures and said, "Come see us when you are a Junior." I was 14 and a Freshman in High School, but I kept coming back. The 11th time I came in he said, "Well, if you are going to be here, then you are going to do some work." He thought it would scare me off, but it didn't. I helped with office work and, of course, I got grilled on Marine history questions, drill manual, rifle manual, sword manual, and infantry tactics. All of those push-ups helped when I got to the Island. His help prepared me in ways that no one could have imagined, and he taught me lessons that will serve me for the rest of my life. As I said, I know it is unusual, but I knew what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be. The Recruiters had a bet that they could put me in a set of blues and no one would ever know the difference. They never did, but I took it as a compliment.

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
The Spanish Infantry Cows. We were in Spain cross training with the Spanish Marines. Our first day we were doing a tactical company movement across a huge open field when we looked over and saw this herd of cows mimicking our movements. We couldn't believe our eyes. They were in a staggered column. When we reached a large wadi, we crossed in our standard danger area fashion, and you guessed it, the cows were too. They crossed two at a time and waited for the next two until they moved on. We never did figure out why in the world they decided to go patrolling with us that day, but it made for many moments of laughter when we needed it the most.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
I am currently a Kiowa Warrior Pilot loving life in Alaska. There is nothing better.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am a member of a few. AAAA, AWOA, Marine Corps League, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Patriot Guard Riders. AAAA and AWOA have member benefits that aid me as an Officer on active duty in making career choices and staying up to date with what is going on in my career field. The rest is just a great way to stay connected with friends, and they give you an opportunity to give back to fellow service members and our fallen.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
It has given me drive, motivation, professionalism, and pride in everything that I do. It has taught me to do everything to the best of my ability and to take pride in the job that I do. The character traits that were instilled in me throughout my time in the service have carried over to my home life. I treat my family and my friends the way an honorable man should--with respect, kindness, courtesy--and I have friendships that will last the test of time.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
Keep your head up mentally, and keep your head down in combat. Times are changing rapidly, and we all need to remind each other to stay the course and keep hold of who we are as Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen. The only way that we will lose the traditions and customs of our services is if we let them fade away. It is up to us to hold ourselves to the standard that we know is right. It is up to us to insure the future of our nation and its military.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I am very grateful for this site. I have found old friends that I thought I would never see or hear from again. It gives me a place to go to remember where I came from and not forget what got me to where I am today. It also helps my family keep tabs on my military career with the shadow box feature. They pull up the page from time to time and see what is new.

KC 7/1/19
RS 7/1/19