The deputy to the commanding general, U.S. Army Security Assistance Command, Robert L. Moore, was the guest speaker at the 4th Annual Department of the Army Civilian Leadership Summit at Redstone Arsenal.

The event, sponsored by the Redstone – Huntsville Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army, was held at the installation’s catering and conference center.

Moore in his talk shared leadership advice with the nearly 100 attendees, encouraging them to take advantage of training opportunities and development assignments, be well read on leadership skills and foreign policy, and strive to build relationships and networks.

Moore has received America’s most prestigious award for career executives and senior professionals in the federal government.

The Presidential Rank Award, evaluated through boards of private citizens and approved by the president of the United States, was presented by Acting Secretary of the Army Robert Speer to Moore during a June 28 ceremony at the Pentagon.

This honor followed another major recognition. Moore was selected as the Management/Executive Award winner and named the Department of the Army Civilian of the Year by the AUSA’s Redstone-Huntsville Chapter on April 4.

Moore said, “I recognized a long time ago that there are very few things, if any, that we accomplish alone. Don’t get me wrong. It’s a great honor when someone recognizes your hard work and passion. But no man is an island. Success comes from working with great teams,” he said.

“I consider myself fortunate to be born in the United States,” he said.

Adding, “Over my many years of travel, and all the nations I’ve visited and people and things I’ve seen, there’s no doubt that the opportunities we have as American citizens impact our ability to succeed.”

Moore retired from the Air Force after 28 years of service.

He then joined civilian service and has spent nearly two decades working security cooperation in the United States and abroad.

Other career focus areas are military political affairs and logistics.

Despite his broad career and life experience, Moore looks to a simple childhood as the foundation for the good things that would come later in life.

Moore was one of 12 children born during the 1950s in Montgomery, Ala.

With 11 siblings and two hard-working parents, it would have been easy for any of them to go astray.

But Moore said his mother and father – with no formal schooling – would teach them the value of education, hard work and being humble.

Moore has a simple framed photo of his parents on his desk at work and in his home office. He sees it every morning and every afternoon, and it reminds him daily of their sacrifice and simple life lessons.

Those lessons have made workforce mentorship and professional development a priority for Moore, who has served as a member of the Senior Executive Service.

Moore also expressed his appreciation to his wife, Margrit, “for her love, unselfish support and encouragement; for allowing me to do what I love so much, serving our great nation. She is my best friend.”

(Editor’s note: This article is based on a story by Adriane Foss, Information Office, Army Security Assistance Command.)