FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (Dec. 16, 2009) -- He turned 80 years old in November and is having difficulty getting around - not because of any physical impairments, but rather because during his 59 years of recruiting, retired Sgt. Maj. Raymond Moran seems to know everyone, everywhere.
"I hate to take him shopping with me," said Barbara, Moran's wife. "He says he will push the basket, but then I have to look for him all over the store because he is talking to friends. And that does not just happen in the commissary. Every place we go he has enlisted someone, or someone from their family, and they recognize him and they get into conversations."
Barbara says that an average trip to the store is increased by 30 minutes when Moran accompanies her, but she also knows how much it means to him to promote the benefits of the Army and speak to Soldiers who enlisted under his guidance.
Over the years many people have trusted the guidance of Moran. He has enlisted everyone he can including friends and family, who he is quick to mention "all still love me." However, when asked how many people he has recruited, he simply states, "I have lost track over time. I would have to say over 1,000. It is just something I never kept a list of. I just call them the Old Soldier's Brigade."
His friends and colleagues call him the Old Soldier, a moniker he earned in Vietnam nearly 40 years ago, and although his age may justify the title, his attitude is anything but old.
Lt. Col. Gary Sheftick, who joined the Army Reserve with the help of Moran, agrees: "He has a lot of enthusiasm and he is definitely passionate about the Army ... He cares about Soldiers, people, the Army, and America. He has a deep passion that drives him. He seems to genuinely care about the young men and women he is helping become Soldiers."
According to Moran, getting out and talking to people is one of the main tools of a recruiter, but not the most important one.
"The most important thing is establishing a reputation of being truthful," said Moran. "When people trust you, they will send friends and family to talk to you. Once people trust you they will follow your recommendations for the Army."
"Sgt. Maj. Moran is the kind of person that you would want to teach your kids," said Edwin MacDonald, director of Operations Sustainment for Camber Corporation. "His character, ethics, and morals are something that you only read about, but when you're with him you know in minutes this is who they wrote the book after."
So why after nearly 59 years does Moran continue to recruit' Because he, "Just never thought of retiring," said Moran. "It's just not something I think about. I enjoy what I am doing, and I enjoy who I work with. You will not find better people to work with. For me it is a great sense of pride."
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