Army ROTC Commander's Global Experience Eye-Opening for Cadets

The new commander and department chair of the Army ROTC Eagle Battalion at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has done just that during his 16 years in the Army, including close to five years serving three tours in Afghanistan and one in Kuwait.

His deployments included security operations at voting sites during Afghanistan’s national elections, coordinating security patrols at the Afghanistan/Pakistan border with the Afghan National Army and National Police and providing connectivity between U.S. bases over satellite networks for the Army’s tactical network with the 82nd Airborne Division.

Moyer, a cadet when he was in college, hopes he can convey to the Eagle Battalion cadets the importance of leadership and service through examples of his many and varied experiences in his career.

“The message is about serving others whether it’s the soldiers or the American people, while understanding the importance of caring and being professional,” said Moyer.

The Army ROTC at Embry-Riddle includes students from Embry-Riddle, Stetson University, Daytona State College and Bethune-Cookman University. With about 320 cadets this year, the incoming class this fall was the largest ever with almost 140 students, making the Eagle Battalion among the top five largest in the Southeastern United States. With the current freshman class, Moyer’s goal is to commission 100 second lieutenants into the Army in 2022, which would more than double the current yearly number.

“It is a pleasure to have Lt. Col. Moyer as the Army ROTC commander,” said Karen Gaines, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Although he has only been here a few months, his dedication to Embry-Riddle students is apparent, steadfast and second to none.”

As a professor of military science, Moyer teaches two courses to seniors. He also helps instruct students during field exercises and lab on land navigation, medical skills, rappelling, rifle marksmanship, tactics and more. Earning a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of North Georgia and later a master’s from Webster’s University in Information Systems Management, Moyer also continued leadership schooling in the military as well as completing airborne School and jump master school.

In addition to his service during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Spartan Shield in Kuwait, Moyer was deputy director of Field Support and deputy executive officer for the Commanding General for the Communications and Electronics Command (CECOM) in Maryland setting policy and providing support for Army systems across the Globe. Prior to coming to Embry-Riddle, he served in Hawaii as operations officer and executive officer overseeing the strategic Army networks throughout the Pacific.

His service to the country has earned him numerous awards, from the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal to the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and NATO Medal, an international military decoration.

Moyer replaces Col. Todd Mitchell, who is now director of the 1st Human Resources Sustainment Center, 21st Theater Sustainment Command in Germany.