FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, MD. — Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Moore of the Fort George G. Meade Garrison consistently ends his remarks at events with a powerful mantra: “Don’t be good. Be great.” This philosophy urges service members and civilians alike to strive for personal and professional improvement, drawing from Moore's own military journey.
Moore's journey to this leadership philosophy began in his early adulthood, when he sought independence and better opportunities. “Living at home at 18, I had a pretty serious girlfriend and a child. I realized working construction in the cold winter in Pennsylvania was not something I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” he recalled.
In January 1998, he enlisted as a multi-channel transmissions systems operator-maintainer, a role he initially knew little about. “Turns out, it’s just a radio guy,” he joked.
After completing Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training, Moore was stationed at Fort Drum, N.Y., and later served with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. However, due to a family hardship, he returned to Fort Drum, intending to leave the military.
“I swore I was getting out of the military in August 2001. But three weeks later, the world had changed,” he said, reflecting on the events of September 11. “I felt a strong obligation at that point in time to do exactly what I signed up to do.”
As he considered his career, Moore realized that his initial desire to leave stemmed from the difficulty of being away from family. However, through numerous deployments, he discovered a deeper sense of purpose. “Being part of something larger than myself had such a profound impact on me,” he stated.
Moore's “be great” philosophy was born from personal struggles, particularly after failing his Army Physical Fitness Test in 2010. “I could not reach the minimum standards because of the limits that I placed on myself,” he explained. Instead of aiming for mere adequacy, he learned the importance of setting higher goals.
“I pushed myself to get one percent better every day,” he said. This mindset extends to his rigorous morning runs and his commitment to continuous improvement in both personal and professional realms.
Moore recognized that his earlier approach, viewing training as a necessity for military development, was limited. “Those limits I placed on myself restricted my ability to become a better, well-rounded individual,” he said.
By embracing the “be great” mentality, Moore earned a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and numerous certifications throughout his career.
When asked how his day is going, Moore’s response is always the same: “It’s great.”
“Great is whatever that day is,” he explained. “It’s a mindset. Just be better than I was yesterday. Not compared to anyone else, because that’s irrelevant. When I go home and look in the mirror, can I say that I am better than I was yesterday? That answer should be a resounding yes.”
Through his leadership, Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Moore inspires those around him to pursue greatness—not for accolades, but for the fulfillment of personal growth and collective purpose.
Social Sharing