When he was 12, he delivered newspapers, mowed yards, and set up pins at a bowling alley. Later, Moody’s father, who was a civil engineer, tried to steer his son toward taking civil engineering courses in high school, but Moody said he is an “operations guy” and not an administrative one.

After high school, he attended a college in Raleigh, North Carolina for three months before deciding college wasn’t for him. Moody then sought to join the military.

Thirty-nine months in Vietnam

An Air Force recruiter told Moody he needed to be a college graduate to fly a jet. A Navy recruiter told him the Navy was only looking for cooks. Finally, Moody talked with an Army recruiter.

“He said, ‘What would you like to do in the Army?’ I said, ‘That guy on the picture out front looks pretty cool,’” Moody recalled on Wednesday at his ranch in Garden City.

The picture at the recruiting office was of a military police officer in spit-shined boots.

“I said, ‘I want to do what he’s doing,’” Moody said.

Moody joined the Army in 1958 in Raleigh and completed basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina the following year. He went to an MP school, but after deciding he didn’t like working in military security, he volunteered to become a paratrooper.

Moody was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he completed jump school in 1959. He was with the 82nd through 1964. During that time, Moody worked his way up through the ranks from sergeant to first lieutenant.

He graduated from various military schools and completed various military courses: Military Police School, Ranger School, NCO Academy, Pathfinder School, Infantry Officer Candidate Course, Officer Rotary Wing Aviator Course, Flight Instructor Course and Aircraft Carrier Training Course.

After going to flight school, Moody was assigned back to the 82nd as a Huey helicopter pilot. In 1964, he left Fort Bragg and completed three tours of duty in Vietnam.

“I spent 39 months in Vietnam,” Moody said. “It was all Special Operations-type stuff.”

The following information is from a military award/narrative citation associated with heroic actions during the Vietnam War:

“On Aug. 14, 1969, Maj. Thomas G. Moody was in command of the 68th Assault Helicopter Company maintenance aircraft observing his company’s operation north of Xuan Loc.

“At approximately 1330 hours, a UH-1H smoke ship from his company, while making a smoke run to cover the insertion of troops on the combat assault, struck a tree and crashed. Immediately, he notified the command and control ship he was going down for medevac.

“After landing at the crash site, he ran to the wreckage which was beginning to burn. He noticed the aircraft commander of the smoke ship pinned in his seat. Maj. Moody began freeing the wounded aircraft commander. The fact was evident that unless he could be freed immediately, he would be consumed by a now raging fire.

“With the possibility of the aircraft exploding at any time, Maj. Moody was joined by Warrant Officer Montgomery who had broken off from the flight. The injured aircraft commander was removed, and Maj. Moody directed his co-pilot to reposition his aircraft closer to the wreckage.

“Guiding the co-pilot with hand signals, Maj. Moody was able to direct his aircraft over and around numerous obstacles to load the injured aircraft commander and three other crewmembers onto his aircraft. Maj. Moody proceeded to the medevac facilities at Long Bien.

“Due to this outstanding display of courage and determination, the lives of five Americans were saved. The heroic actions of Maj. Moody are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.”

Moody’s military decorations include: Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist’s Badge, Air Medal (34th) Award, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 device, Vietnam Service Medal with two Silver Stars, Army Commendation Medal with first Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Soldier’s Medal, Bronze Star Medal (second award), Senior Army Aviator Badge, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with second Oak Leaf Cluster.

On Wednesday, Moody recalled a saying that he came up with and would share while briefing his soldiers to go into combat: “No mission too difficult, no task too great. The difficult we do immediately. The impossible we take a little bit longer to accomplish.”

Those words “have kind of followed me all the way through my life,” Moody said.

Back home

Moody retired from the Army in 1978 and settled in Destin. There, he and his wife, Carol, ran a deep-sea fishing and cruise boat business for close to three decades. The business’ fleet included a 125-foot dinner cruise boat, a 100-foot fishing boat, and a 65-foot glass bottom boat.

Moody recalled the chaos of delivering the dinner cruise boat to its new owner in Cancun, Mexico, in 2005, the year before he and Carol retired from the boat business.

Moody said the weather looked good, and he and a friend expected to get to Cancun in a day and a half. On the first night of the trip, however, the boat’s generator died.

“On this particular boat, all my hydraulics worked off of generators,” Moody said.

He fired up a backup generator, but the boat’s hydraulic electrical system was not connected to it.

“So we had no hydraulics: No steering,” he said. “We were having to steer with the engines.”

When the boat was about dead-center in the Gulf, a storm arrived. Moody called his wife on his satellite phone and asked her to call the U.S. Coast Guard in New Orleans for help.

“While she was working on that, my right engine catches fire,” Moody said. “We put the fire out. Luckily, it didn’t do a lot of damage.”

Carol called to report that the boat was outside of the Coast Guard’s jurisdiction and that he would need the Mexican Navy’s assistance.

“The waves were breaking over the front of the boat,” Moody said. “They were so big, there were fish flopping around on the deck.”

The Mexican Navy later made it to the scene.

“They pulled up in this little 30-foot boat that was the size of my dinghy,” Moody said. “They said, ‘We’ve got bad news: We’re not going to be able to tow you. You’re too big. Keep trying to get to Cancun, and we’ll follow you, and if and when you sink, we will pick you up. Just jump in the water.’”

Fortunately, the storm cleared up and the sea calmed. Near Cancun, the new owner of the dinner cruise boat arrived in another vessel that served as a tow boat.

“We survived,” Moody said, laughing.

The ranch

Moody and his wife got married in 1991. They each have children from previous marriages. In 2006, the couple retired and settled on a small ranch, which includes four horses and is called “Old Warrior Ranch,” in Garden City.

Moody leads the Panhandle Saddle Club, and he and Carol are members of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse. For many years, the couple have ridden horses in local parades, including Christmas parades in Crestview and Niceville.

Horses “are very smart, and they’re not a lot of trouble to keep up,” Moody said. “They’re real good around people, and people love horses.”

His wife laughed and said that horses “don’t talk back.”

Moody said horse people are like one big family.

“Nobody’s a stranger,” he said. “Everybody helps everybody when they need it.”

Last January, Moody received Crestview’s 2025 Mae Reatha Coleman Citizen of the Year Award. This humanitarian award honors an individual whose selfless acts benefit the city and its citizens. The city takes nominations from the public for the citizen of the year each year and has a committee of citizens that meet and ultimately makes a recommendation to the City Council, which has the final vote.

When city officials presented the award to Moody, they noted that he is the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce’s chairman emeritus and has twice been named the chamber’s member of the year and volunteer of the year. He served as the chamber’s CEO and president in 2017.

Among other types of service, Moody serves on the North Okaloosa Medical Center Board, and he raises money via the “Saving the Horses” fundraiser in partnership with Alaqua Animal Refuge, city officials said.

As a military veteran, Moody supported the 6th Ranger Training Battalion by serving as the Defense Support Initiative Committee Liaison and working with military units like the 7th Special Forces Group and the 919th Special Operations Wing. He hosts community gatherings, retirement celebrations, military appreciation days, and other events at his ranch, and his advocacy ensures that Crestview remains a strong ally and support system for military personnel, city officials said.

While discussing his long and adventurous life on Wednesday, Moody was asked for his thoughts on why some Vietnam veterans, such as himself, have able to lead successful lives after returning home from the war, while others have greatly struggled.

“That’s a good question,” Moody said. “I think it has a lot to do with how you were brought up, and carry (those experiences) on into the military. A lot of what the Vietnam soldiers went through was not easy to deal with.

“I still have memories, bad memories, of soldiers that were killed, that I knew. I don’t think a soldier that fights in any war ever forgets the bad times, and the good times. But the bad times always haunt you. Some soldiers can deal with it better than others. I personally have learned how to deal with it. It’s now always easy, but you keep moving on.”

By Liz Easterling

The Reserve, whether full-time or part-time, brings a tremendous range of experience to the joint force. That experience is a by-product of a tireless search for the next generation of Citizen Airmen by Recruiters who help turn dreams into reality for men and women who aspire to serve.

“I see people who are motivated, purpose-driven, and looking to be part of something bigger than themselves,” said Master Sgt. Michael Arriaga, 919th Special Operations Wing recruiter. “The ones who gravitate toward the 919th usually want a challenge—they’re not just looking to punch a clock. They want to serve with impact, they want to grow, and they want to belong to a tight-knit, high-performing team.”

For many 919 SOW members, their efforts are tied to a mission that never stops. Readiness isn’t optional, it’s the standard. Through continuous recruiting efforts, the USAFR ensures the pipeline of capable, disciplined, and prepared Airmen never runs dry. Every role filled by a skilled and motivated Reservist strengthens the force and accelerates mission capability. Reservists are a supplemental force, one that can integrate seamlessly and respond at a moment’s notice. Recruiting the right talent today ensures the Wing is ready to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

“What makes our readiness unique is how much we accomplish with limited time,” said Arriaga. “Our Reservists are balancing jobs, school, and families—and yet when it’s go time, they show up ready to execute. The 919th is a great example. We’re fully embedded in the special operations world, supporting missions like non-standard aviation, and even operating MQ-9s and the AC-130J. We train and perform at a high level alongside our active-duty counterparts, and we’re always ready to answer the call—part-time status doesn’t mean part-time commitment.”

Modern warfare demands agility and precision. The 919th SOW personnel are trained to operate alongside their active-duty counterparts, maintaining the same high standards of lethality and professionalism. an integral part of the total force, sharpening the Air Force’s edge and expanding its reach.

“This might be one of the biggest misconceptions out there—it’s never just one weekend a month,” Arriaga added. “Even when we’re not wearing the uniform, we’re preparing, learning, leading, and staying sharp. A lot of our folks volunteer for TDYs, deployments, and extended orders, and they bring a full-time mindset to a part-time role. Especially in a unit like the 919th, where we’re constantly involved in AFSOC missions with platforms like the AC-130J and MQ-9, there’s nothing ‘casual’ about what we do.”

Joining the reserves isn’t just a career move—it’s a calling. It’s a chance to be part of something greater than yourself. It’s an opportunity to serve alongside the finest warriors in the world, defending freedom at home and abroad. Every successful recruitment is not just a position filled, it’s a future secured, a mission advanced, a nation strengthened.

“If you’re looking for purpose, growth, and a sense of belonging—you’ll find it here,” said Arriaga. “The Air Force Reserve gives you a chance to serve while still chasing your civilian goals. You get real-world skills, education benefits, and a chance to wear the uniform with pride. And if you want to be part of something elite, the 919th is the place. We’re the only special operations wing in the Reserve, and the work we do matters on a global scale. The mission is powerful, and the people are even better.”

These annual awards recognize the outstanding accomplishments of its fire departments, fire officers, firefighters, and fire service instructors in their service roles at military installations. DOD F&ES leadership selected nine winners from a total of 40 nominees to honor with this recognition.

“Receiving this award is a truly humbling experience,” said Suddarth, Eglin’s assistant fire chief. “We have such a strong emergency services family, and this recognition reflects the dedication and expertise of our entire organization, it’s not just one individual.  Together, we work tirelessly to push the needle further in emergency response and innovation. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside these dedicated professionals.”

According to the awards package: Suddarth commanded an off-base wildfire, directing four agencies and 62 responders. His leadership resulted in the protection of three counties, 462,000 acres, and DOD’s largest active weapons test range worth $279 million.

He also revamped the National Registry Emergency Medical Responder training to decrease class time by 75 percent and save 3,000 workhours.  His training, which earned a 95-percent pass rate and 171 certifications, was adopted Air Force-wide.

“Dedicated F&ES personnel sustain our defense communities through strategic planning, training, and incident response and recovery,” stated Robert E. Thompson, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment. “Their ability to continuously adapt to dynamic conditions better enables the military mission and helps safeguard the American people against catastrophic threats.”

By Tech. Sgt. Sarah McClanahan,

Air National Guard

“We were losing quite a bit of people that were being held up at [U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command], waiting for waivers, adjudications and processing, and they were just walking away,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James R. Parry, acting director, medical operations, Office of the Surgeon General, Headquarters USAF.

With the Military Health System’s new health record system, MHS GENESIS, which integrates military and civilian records, identifying disqualifying conditions became significantly easier. However, significant delays in waiver and adjudication processes created a bottleneck of applicants waiting for months and opting to abandon enlistment altogether, Parry said. The secretary of the Air Force asked him in March 2024 to develop a solution addressing the backlog by June 2024.

Unlike other service branches, approximately 80% of Air Force medics are assigned to medical treatment facilities to provide direct patient care. Recognizing the unsustainable impact of pulling active duty medical personnel away from their primary duties, Parry pitched mobilizing Guard and Reserve medics.

“The Army and Navy had already provided support, but it was clear that the Guard and Reserve were uniquely suited for this effort,” said Col. Scott Haning, assistant to the deputy director, medical operations, U.S. Space Force, and administrator, Military Personnel Appropriation Program, Office of the Air Force Surgeon General, HAF.

With a short turnaround time, they worked quickly to secure the necessary funding and mandates, Haning said.

Two months later, the Guard and Reserve collectively deployed 45 Airmen, including 32 Guard providers and medical technicians, who worked remotely and locally, allowing the mission to proceed with minimal travel costs.

“It really was a Herculean effort,” said Col. Mark B. Dudley, deputy director, policy and resources, Office of the Surgeon General.

Dudley said the ability to mobilize on such short notice was remarkable.

“We were not expecting the amount of volunteers we got on such short notice,” Parry said. “It’s a testament to the fact that for the Guard and Reserve, even though they’re mainly in the private sector, when it comes time to serve, they are quick to volunteer.”

Even on short notice, this willingness to step up speaks to the duty and commitment of Guard and Reserve members, Parry said.

“Keep in mind that these [Guard and Reserve Airmen] make some sacrifices in their civilian careers, especially providers and the physicians who may have practices,” said Haning. “But because they’re called the service, and that’s why a lot of them do it, they put their civilian careers on hold to support the mission.”

As a result of the initiative, the surge of Guard and Reserve medics helped increase overall medical processing productivity by 64% by executing nearly 4,500 prescreens and 2,500 medical exams, Dudley said. This enabled USMEPCOM to develop long-term solutions, such as hiring civilian providers and leveraging artificial intelligence to streamline processes.

The Guard and Reserve’s contributions demonstrated their ability to act swiftly and the depth of expertise its members bring from civilian careers.

“The Guard and Reserve really bring a lot of talent to the active duty, especially on the medical side,” said Parry. “They have very talented physicians and technicians who work in the civilian health care system, so the acuity and experience they bring is invaluable.”

In addition to fulfilling a critical shortage in manning for USMEPCOM, the initiative enabled Guard and Reserve personnel to integrate with their active duty counterparts as the total force prepares for what medical readiness may look like in the future.

“[In past conflicts], if somebody would get hurt out in the field, it’s quick to get in there and airlift them back to a base and [get them to a higher level of care],” said Parry. “In the next theater, and especially in the Pacific, it’s not going to be like that. … So the more our Guard and Reserve medics can interact with active duty, the more we can be prepared for [the future fight].”

Haning said the initiative’s success highlights the importance of the Guard and Reserve in sustaining military readiness.

“This experience really highlighted the unique qualifications and dedication of our Guard and Reserve medics,” said Haning. “They were able to step up and make a significant impact, while also gaining valuable training and experience that will benefit them and the total force going forward.”

By Senior Master Sgt. Ted Daigle

307th Bomb Wing

The 307th Security Forces Squadron Defenders have had each other’s backs since they served their first deployment together years ago. When Babbs sustained a serious injury during that deployment, Morgan remained at his side until help arrived and has stayed close by ever since.

“That catastrophic event helped us to create a bond, and we’ve been the best of friends since,” said Morgan. “I thought (serving as IDLC Cadre) would help us both with our career development, so we agreed to apply together.”

Morgan and Babbs will be two of 15 instructors selected from the Air Force Reserve Command.

“We’ll be going through the entire course like when we were students, but this time, it will be from the perspective of an instructor,” said Morgan.

AFRC created IDLC in 2021 to incorporate combat-stress inoculation as Defenders undergo training in combat maneuvers, Tactical Combat Casualty Care, small arms and combat munitions.

While the cadre must learn to instruct all phases of IDLC, Morgan and Babbs will specialize in Combatives, a more recent addition to the curriculum.

“Combatives train Defenders on how to use their hands, arms, legs, feet, and head as weapons in close-quarter fighting when another weapon isn’t available,” said Morgan.

The pace of instructor training will be fast, with only six weeks to prepare for the first class of IDLC students.

Cadre service at IDLC is a six-month commitment, but Morgan and Babbs said that the time away from family and civilian jobs will be worth the effort.

“I’m looking forward to it because I can bring what I learned back to the home unit, and being an instructor will help me get better at my job,” said Babbs.

However, the toll of this sacrifice on their families and employers is not lost on them, especially since the duo has to be ready on a 60-day notice.

“My family understood when I joined the Air Force that separation would be a part of life,” said Morgan. “Both my family and my civilian employer have been very understanding because they know I serve for something bigger than myself.”

They also expressed a healthy appreciation for the responsibility and opportunity ahead.

“We get to have a direct impact on how our Defenders train, so it’s incumbent upon us to ensure everyone that comes under our instruction will benefit from it,” said Morgan.

IDLC training currently takes place at Youngstown Air Reserve Base and James A. Garfield Joint Military Training Center in Ohio.

By Stuart Camp

In their remaining games Jan. 11, Eglin crushed Fort Knox 93-66. A balanced attack fueled the tally – 12 players scored with Terrance Bryant with a team-high 14 points. About two hours later, Eglin clashed, and prevailed 80-75, against Scott. Four players scored in double-figures.

However, Friday night was a heartbreaker. Eglin opened with a 7-0 streak, as Hurlburt’s shooting was as frigid as the gymnasium temperature. And – despite the momentum swings – the visiting team walked into halftime with a seven-point spread: 34-27.

“In the first half, we were trying to get the ball out of (the Hurlburt guard’s) hands. He was passing to his teammates, and they were missing shots. In the second half they started making them,” Eglin guard Brian Matthews said. Matthews had 12 points in the first half but tallied just two in the second. “They were collapsing more, and I had to drive and kick more because they were denying me from getting to the rim.”

Eglin held the lead for nearly three quarters. A Hurlburt guard sank a jumper from the free-throw line with 49 seconds left in the third quarter for Hurlburt’s first lead, 48-47. From there until the final two minutes, the largest lead either team enjoyed was three points.

“We fouled too much, and they hit their free throws,” said Raekwon Cuspert, Eglin player/coach. “We got rattled when they got on their run. In the first half, we were playing our pace. But in the second half, we played at their pace. Once they sped us up, it turned into a back-and-forth game.”

Eglin’s primary guard rotation each carried four fouls, handcuffing their aggression down the stretch. In attempt to claw back inside the last 90 seconds, Eglin fouled to stop the clock and pressure Hurlburt’s free-throw shooting. The plan didn’t pan out. Hurlburt converted on all 16 shots from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter – knocking down 25 of 31 for the game.

“In the second half, we started applying pressure, getting turnovers and fast-break layups,” said Hurlburt’s leading scorer, who had 26 in the game. “I really wasn’t being as aggressive in the first half. I was getting to my spots (in the second half) and knocking it down.”

“I just had to wake my guys up,” said Hurlburt’s head coach. “We had to be the more physical, smarter, and faster team. We just had to be better in the second half. I took us out of zone (defense) and into man, so we could be more physical and scrappy. And that sped us up, caused (Eglin) turnovers.”

Eglin enjoyed a distinct advantage in the paint with Caleb Highley clogging up the middle on both ends. However, shots just weren’t falling, and he ended the night with 12 points, a boatload of rebounds and a handful of blocks. Two others scored in double figures for Eglin.