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Squadron commander takes on challenges at work and on the soccer field

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Karoline Scott
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
15022007 --  Both before and during his Air Force career, soccer has been a major part of life for Lt. Col. Gerard Mosley, 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander.
A culminating moment in Colonel Mosley's long history with the game came on October 21, 2006, as his number six soccer jersey was retired in front of friends, teammates and family on the soccer field of his alma mater, Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va.
"That was a great night for me and my family," said Colonel Mosley. "For four years in college, I played every minute of every game - sometimes while sick or injured - and helped lead the team to victorious seasons. It's nice to be recognized for a job well done."
Showing his dual hat as both former college athlete and officer, Colonel Mosley wore his service dress to the ceremony to show everyone there, "that I'm proud to be in the military, serving and defending this great country," he said.
Colonel Mosley didn't start his college career as a soccer player, nor did he have any intention to join the military.
"I actually started college as a football player at the University of North Texas," he said. "Football ended up not being what I thought it would be.
"Some soccer recruiters came to the school and talked to us about different programs," he said. "I'd played soccer in high school, and wanted to check out the possibility of playing in college. The recruiters thought I had a lot of potential."
From there, Colonel Mosley switched to what was Christopher Newport College where he pursued a business degree and took on the challenge of making a big difference in a small school's struggling soccer program.
"I started on the soccer team with a bunch of other great players," he said. "At that point, we were a division three team and not very many other schools knew who we were."
The group of stellar athletes from a little known school made their mark in 1983 when they played the University of Richmond and "beat them on their own field in 95 degree heat with 110 percent humidity," he said.
Rather than turn in his jersey and try out for a school with a better known soccer program, Colonel Mosley "liked the challenge," he said. "We had the opportunity to take something, build it up and put it on the map."
And that is just what Colonel Mosley and his teammates did. Between 1983 and 1986, the team has winning seasons. Additionally, Colonel Mosley was a team captain all four years and named an All-Region soccer player for four years in a row and an All-American athlete in 1985 and 1986.
"Our team was proud to say that we started the age of awesome soccer at Christopher Newport," he said.
Following his graduation, Colonel Mosley had the chance to go pro with his skills. "My senior year, I attended 'Senior Week' in Cleveland, which was an intensive training program, the culmination of which was a draft into a professional indoor soccer league," he said. "I was drafted, but decided to turn it down."
At the time, he didn't yet realize that he would have a much different calling and a future as an Air Force officer.
"I come from a military family, so always respected those who served," he said. "It wasn't until a motorcycle accident in 1988 when I realized that I wanted to serve my country and join the Air Force."
Colonel Mosley applied for Officers' Training School, was accepted and attended in 1989.
He began his military career as a supply officer and put his athletic past on hold for a year. "I wanted to really learn my job before I looked into playing soccer for the Air Force."
After his first year in service, Colonel Mosley moved to the now-closed Castle Air Force Base in Colorado. That's when he first tried out for military athletics.
"I sent in my resume, tried out and made the Armed Forces soccer team," he said. "It was an amazing experience. We got to travel all over the world not only playing the sport we loved, but representing our country while doing it."
Colonel Mosley was and still is a huge advocate of military athletic programs. "Everyone in the military absolutely must learn and understand their primary job first," he said, "but programs including the World Class Athlete Program are also fantastic.
"Not only does it boost the morale of talented athletes who get to compete on world-class levels," he said, "but the athletes also act as military ambassadors and representatives of the Department of Defense and the entire United States."
According to Colonel Mosley, skills learned on the field are also extremely valuable in the work place. "The athletic programs aren't easy," he said. "You learn to be extremely dedicated and you fine tune your leadership skills. Organization is also a must. It's important for all military athletes to remember that the job and job skills always take precedence. You have to learn to balance athletics and work, and keep up on professional military education."
Colonel Mosley played soccer three times for the Air Force team. "I am a huge proponent of military athletics; those who have the skills should at least try out."
Colonel Mosley hopes to join and lead a Scott soccer team while stationed here. He also hopes to pass his love of country and soccer on to his two sons, Daniel, 3, and Anton, 1.
For now, Colonel Mosley is making his mark on the military and Scott AFB as the 375th Mission Support Group's newest squadron commander. "This job is a challenge but I love it," he said. "I never back down on a challenge."