Brigadier General Paul D. Moga '91 Visits CDH

May 19, 2022

Brigadier General Paul D. Moga '91, the Commander of Cadets at the Air Force Academy, shared his life story and advice with our Cadets. 

Moga is a 1995 graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He earned his pilot wings at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, and went on to fly the F-15C Eagle as an operational and formal training unit Instructor Pilot. His assignments include F-22 Raptor FTU Initial Instructor Pilot Cadre, first F-22 Demonstration Team Commander, Chief of Air Combat Command’s Senior Leader Management Division, the NATO Defense College, and Deputy Division Chief in the U.S. European Command. He has commanded at the squadron, vice wing and wing level.

He spoke to the JROTC Cadets about life at the Air Force Academy, what it takes to be accepted, and what graduates can do after their time there. 

"He talked to everyone in the room as if they could make it at the Air Force Academy," said Sam Koopmeiners '23, who hopes to attend the Academy. "Whenever someone asked a question he would answer it with a ton of enthusiasm and detail. I could tell right away he is very motivated and really wants to help anyone who has an interest in the academy. He talked with a lot of confidence and seemed very comfortable in front of a room full of people. This was inspiring because he really believed that the students in that room could succeed at the Academy which is not an easy thing to do."

Moga also shared advice that is applicable to anyone, whether or not they aspire to a military career:

1. Be whatever you want in life, and aim to be the best at it.

2. Don't let the world tell you that you aren't good enough.

3. Quitting is easy, but hard work will never betray you.

4. Pay attention to the details. If you can't get the little things right, you'll never get the big things right.

5. Keep your character and integrity non-negotiable. It doesn't matter how good you are if people can't trust you.

6. Life won't always hand you what you think you deserve. Focus less on what you want and more on what needs to get done.