A Gentleman’s Gentleman
Official image from https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/106158/general-thomas-s-moorman-jr/

A Gentleman’s Gentleman

Giving Thanks to A Gentleman’s Gentleman: General Thomas S. Moorman, Jr., USA (Ret)

#gratitude #USAF #PressOn!

In the early ‘90s, I had the opportunity to attend Steven Covey’s training for the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. The training proved to be immensely useful with pragmatic implementation tools – many I still use today, and several I am still trying to incorporate. During the week we were instructed to identify a person we aspired to emulate. To me, this person would be a role model; someone to shape my own behaviors and a North Star when navigating integrity issues that would surface along my professional and personal growth path. The answer for me was immediate and assured: General Tom Moorman.

I had been the aide for General Moorman while he commanded Air Force Space Command. In my position, I watched him operate in a variety of environments and was always impressed. His intellect, decision-making abilities, humor, and family-mindedness were woven together to make him a “Gentleman’s gentleman.” What I learned from General Moorman:

- I, by no means, have his same grace, but I do try to treat people fairly like he did.

- I learned to be attentive and allow the person I’m speaking with to be the most important at the time. 

- He taught me to be transparent, sincere, and thoughtful in my work. He was fun to work for, and took time to explain many complex situations to me as his young aide.

I am grateful for the time I spent with General Moorman. He was more than a mentor, he has been a living reference point for me – and for thousands of others, I am certain. It’s not always easy to emulate someone like him, but one can keep trying. As Brad Pitt has suggested, you tell people ”I haven’t failed…rather, this is hard and I’m not done yet.” This Thanksgiving, I give thanks for the time I spent as an understudy to General Thomas S. Moorman, Jr. USAF, (Ret).

Press on!

Ivan Thompson

CEO at Launch Productions

4 年

Oh no, prayers ?? for the family and friends.

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Mike Carey

Co-Founder, Advisor & Partner | Future of Space & Defense | Satellite Communication Innovation | Strategic Leader & Mentor

4 年

Like many others, I’m deeply saddened by the loss of General Moorman. His positive impact on so many lives is a legacy the will perpetuate itself. Godspeed TSM.

Well Said and all the best to you! I was on the AF launch Transition team started by Gen Kutyna, and the follow on efforts by Gen Mormon. We have come a long way.

David Finkleman

Retired space executive

7 年

Well, not what I learned during two decades of working with him. Not for him. I remember most the cat, Storming Norman Moorman. I served under his father when I taught at USAFA. I was absolutely the most junior faculty member. Tom’s father sought officers like me to prove that he could beat us at squash. Tom had a charmed and privileged life. The story is that Tom was going to leave the AF as a junior intel officer. The powers that were told him that the senior Moorman’s son could not resign and that they would look out for him and assure his advancement. My experience, including participation in the 1994 study that led to SBIRS, was that he was obsessed with killing Naval Space Command, gaining executive agency for the AF, and killing DSP, among other things. He got more than he bargained for. Executive agency came with many problems and no money! For me in USSPACECOM, Tom was a ruthless politician. When the commander of AFSPC was made a four star, Kutyna was double batted, and Moorman had to be reappointed to a three star job, deputy commander. That really disappointed him. Maybe if you worked for him and we’re mentored by him you were not exposed to the dark side .

Michael Mendelson

Law Firm Partner | General Counsel and Corporate Secretary | International Business and Compliance Lawyer

7 年

I have had the honor of working with General Mormon on numerous occasions and wholeheartedly agree.

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