Grand Forks AFB Airman accepted for USC graduate program

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Bonnie Grantham
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  An Airman was recently accepted into the prestigious Sol Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California to study in the Master of Public Administration program.

Staff Sgt. Andy Moore, 319th Air Base Wing Command Post NCO-in-charge of command post systems, was entered into the number five school in the United States for the MPA program, the Sol Price School of Public Policy. With just a seven percent acceptance rate, Moore's acceptance to the program is a true testament to his dedication and hard work.

"Moore's acceptance as a graduate student to the University of Southern California, Sol Price School of Public policy comes as no surprise to anyone who knows him," said Maj. Frank Burks, 319th Comptroller Squadron commander, which administratively oversees the command post. "He's the caliber of Airman, NCO and future Air Force leader that makes the Air Force so successful.  The fact that only seven percent of applicants are accepted speaks volumes of Moore's determination to build a strong educational foundation. He's truly a role model for all Airmen."

Moore said he started working on his application in October 2014 with an academic advisor at the college. The process for applying consisted of a professional resume, three letters of recommendation and a letter stating why he wanted to attend the program, said Moore.

Andrew Verdi, chief of wing plans and programs for the 319th ABW, was one individual who wrote a letter of recommendation for Moore's application.

"I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Moore for over two years," said Verdi in his letter. "He is a tremendous leader and a person of high integrity, moral character and professionalism. He has unlimited potential and the discipline to pursue and complete the Master of Public Administration program."

Another letter of recommendation came from Lt. Col. Jonathan Castellanos, 319th Operations Support Squadron commander, who has also known Moore for two years.

"Moore's efforts have directly supported all levels of Air Force leadership, to include the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. Mark Welsh, during his visit to Grand Forks AFB in 2013," said Castellanos. "Andy's academic prowess with his experience leading Airmen in a high-stress, no-fail mission make him an ideal candidate for this program. His leadership, grace under pressure, attention to detail and drive will enable him to succeed both in this program and beyond."

In order to prove his five years of experience, Moore was able to tie together his experience in the Air Force as command post and his future as a city manager.

"If it wasn't for me being in the Air Force, there's no way I could've created a resume showing five years of practical experience in public administration," he said. "I think specifically being in command post allowed me to look stronger and it definitely got me in."

In the command post, Moore said he is responsible for relaying directives from higher headquarters and the wing commander to the base populace. He also has to relay information coming from the Pentagon or major command to the wing commander and responds to crisis situations. Once Moore receives his master's degree, he'll be able to apply to be a city manager who would act in a similar fashion with the mayor.

"A city manager is an appointed position that is responsible for advising the mayor and city council members," said Moore.

The application was submitted in November, and two weeks later Moore said he received his acceptance letter.

"Compiling everything together was hard, and if it wasn't for my academic advisor at the college then I wouldn't have made it," he said. "He made me a competitive applicant for sure."

Although Moore is still assigned to and resides on Grand Forks AFB, he began attending classes January 2015 via Skype.

"It's a real flexible program they just started two years ago where they do interactive classroom settings where I use Skype to interact with my instructor and classmates," said Moore.

He said he will only have to visit the campus three times: once to meet his instructors and classmates, once his senior year and finally for his graduation which is projected to take place in spring 2017.

Moore said that he plans on becoming a city manager after his military career, but until then he knows the education will shape his career as an NCO.

"The program will teach me how to look at a situation, break it down and understand the dynamics of it to be able to manage it. It will also give me a better understanding on how to run organizations, effectively lead people and effectively make decisions," said Moore. "Ultimately, it's going to strengthen me as an NCO because it's going to give me the ability to impact organizations and find solutions to problems. Then when I get out, I'll be qualified to be within the city with those same capabilities."