The Value of Data: Sky Dragon Soldier plays key role as a operations research systems analyst

By Spc. Casey BrumbachJune 26, 2022

The Value of Data: Sky Dragon Soldier plays key role as a operations research systems analyst
Capt. David K. Moore serves as a Operations Research/Systems Analyst assigned to the XVIII Airborne Corps based out of Fort Bragg, N.C. The 32-year-old Philadelphia native plays a vital role in analyzing important data and provides analysis to help military commanders across America's Contingency Corps make informed decisions in line with the Corps' mission. (Photo Credit: Spc. Casey Brumbach) VIEW ORIGINAL

The importance of data and analytics in modern military operations serve a big role to attain desired operational effects and outcomes by giving military commanders vital information and insights to make informed decisions.

To put this data together, it takes a group of well-versed Soldiers with unique skills and "outside the box" thinking methods to leverage, present and to employ data as a key tool to help decision makers solve complex problems and gain operational advantages in multi-domain operations.

This is where Soldiers like Capt. David K. Moore, a Philadelphia native, brings his skills, intelligence, and 'big picture' thinking approach to the team as a key member of the XVIII Airborne Corps staff serving as an Operations Research/Systems Analyst, or ORSA.

“I produce informed products based on quantitative and qualitative analysis for commanders and senior leaders of the organization,” said Moore. "The commanders can then use the information products to help guide their planning and decisions on any given situation."

The ORSA brings a capability helping provide statistical modeling and simulation tools to leaders in order to better inform them on a multitude of warfighting decisions and scenarios in complex environments. ORSAs are the Army's subject matter experts in the emerging field of data science in support of the DOD's Data Strategy. ORSAs serve in a variety of organizations producing key analysis and logical reasoning necessary to inform and underpin critical decisions made by military commanders.

From military movements and logistical operations to feeding Soldiers and analyzing the information environment, the Army is using ORSAs like Moore to help streamline warfighting capabilities using the power of data. This helps keep America's Contingency Corps fast and lethal in defense of the nation and support of our Allies.

Moore, 32, originally joined the Army after earning his bachelor's degree from Lehigh University to get some life experience and leave his hometown. At first, he was not sure about making a career in the U.S. Army, but he enjoyed his initial experience and decided to continue his military service as a Military Police (MP) officer.

He enjoyed being a leader and gained valuable experience in that role, serving as a MP for seven years. However, he described it as more of a jumping off point as he looked to take his career to the next level. Moore always gravitated to the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields and wanted to use those skills to broaden his experience and provide a critical need to an ever-changing environment.

He decided to transfer into Functional Area 49 (FA49) operations research/systems analysis through the Army's Voluntary Transfer Incentive Program.

Moore, who earned his master's degree from Arizona State University, feels he is much better suited as a FA49 officer because he is now using his natural intuition to bring positive change across the XVIII Airborne Corps. For the past three years, Moore has been working in an intelligence and analyst capacity helping America's Contingency Corps become more efficient, effective, lethal and agile when it comes to mission planning and development.

His most recent project dealt with assisting efforts as part of the XVIII Airborne Corps' rapid deployment in February 2022 to Europe to bolster NATO's eastern flank and support NATO Allies. Moore's work to understand complex problems and find tangible solutions have been commended by the Corps' senior leaders during the unit's current mission of assurance and deterrence across the European theater continues.

“Assisting with deployment operations to Europe, I developed queueing models to understand load performance, and used various products to see where we can improve,” said Moore. “What I do is understand what steps in the process we're good at, and what steps we need to improve on. This gives the commander the ability to prioritize assets and improve our deployment procedures by solving problems and improving our overall execution in line with our Corps' mission.”

Moore is grateful to serve our nation and contribute through a natural skill set which is in increasing demand across the U.S. Army.

“Because of my experience in the Army, I looked at what my strengths and weaknesses were,”' Moore said. “You can assess if there are different branches within the Army that are better for you. I can say that this type of work suits me perfectly.”