Laughlin captain takes top honors at SOS

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Joel Langton
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  A Laughlin captain was named one of the best during Squadron Officer School graduation recently at Maxwell AFB, AL.

Capt. Greg Moulton, chief of the 87th Flying Training Squadron's standards and evaluation section, was the number three graduate among 419 fellow captains from across the Air Force.

This school is a mandatory for Air Force captains that teach leadership, officership, problem-solving, core values and the Air Force as an institution in the profession of arms, according to the school's website.

Going into the five-week course, Moulton said his goals were very simple.

"I just went in wanting to do my best," he said. "I know that sounds cheesy and all but I just looked at it as my job while I was there and really applied myself. My goal going to SOS was to learn as much as possible from my flight mates. I knew everybody would be from a different background and provide a good spread of leadership styles."

After a few weeks, he realized that he was doing well within his flight, "but I had no idea how I faired outside of my flight."

Even a bit later in the course, when he was told to report in service dress, he wasn't sure why. "I thought I was in trouble," he joked. But he quickly learned that he wasn't in trouble.
He was going to be interviewed by the group's four squadrons commanders and SOS's vice commander.

After the interviewing, he came home with the merit-based number three spot in the course, beating out more than 415 other Air Force Captains.

Although he didn't nab the top honor -- The Commandant Leadership Award - which was given to the student that handled the interviews the best, it was a huge accomplishment due to the fact that the top finisher and fourth place finisher were separated by fractions of a point.

Despite the success he had in the school, he said he did have challenges.

"The most challenging part was realizing I was not in a flying squadron anymore and I was not an IP anymore," he said. "I was now an SOS student and had to change my mind set to that."

Captain Moulton's squadron commander was surprised Captain Moulton, the 87th FTS 2008 Company Grade Officer of the Year, had any challenges at SOS.

"I wasn't surprised at all how well he did," said Lt. Col. Dean Lee, 87th Flying Training Squadron commander. "He's my most trusted and squared away captain." 

Colonel Lee said the award is going to get Captain Moulton more than a plaque. 

"Down the road, winning an award like this opens doors. This award will stay with him the rest of his career throughout the rest of his performance reports and will help him get into his higher development schools."