CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - Every Soldier has a story. Each has reasons why they choose to serve in the military. Some come into the profession of arms with intent of paying for college, others to escape poverty or the mundane existence of growing up in a small town.
Others, like Spc. Jessica Moon, a human intelligence collector with Alpha Company, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, know they have a calling in life and view service in the U.S. Army as a stepping stone.
Born in New Jersey, Moon was raised in La Palma, Calif. She lived in the United States as a child, then her family returned to Korea when she was nine years old. Her father worked for a firm that operates Kumho Tires and Asiana Airlines.
“My parents weren’t fluent (in English), but they could get around,” said Moon, who grew up with one older sister and a younger brother in a dual-language home, but learning most of her English in school. “All of my family is living in Korea, though my sister recently graduated from New York University.”
In her senior year at Kyung Hee University, Moon interviewed for a job with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the Republic of Korea. The Korean government hired her to work for the Protocol Division and the Consular Division.
“Through my work there, I had a chance to work and attend presidential events,” said Moon. “We took care of anti-terrorism security measures, particularly those affecting Korean citizens. We built a website for Koreans traveling abroad that gave guidelines for safe practices; tips on how to avoid being targets for terrorism.”
“There came a point where I was going to lose my U.S. citizenship for that career, which is not what I wanted so I decided to join the U.S. Army. My job keeps me working in a similar field,” added Moon.
At age 23, Moon left Korea. She currently assists with analytical training for the Iraqi Security Forces at Camp Dhi Qar. Once that training is complete, she will begin working with the 2nd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment Intelligence Officer, Capt. Brenda Fernandez, to conduct assessments on the status of medical care and medical facilities in Iraq’s Dhi Qar, Maysan and Muthanna provinces.
“Spc. Moon works with her team to collect information to assist their Battalion commander in answering his information requirements,” said Chief Warrant Officer Eric Sifford, Human Intelligence Chief for the Highlander Brigade. “Because of the unique role of the battalion they are supporting, her team is helping with the overall Provincial Reconstruction Team effort in the Highlander area of operations.”
Her job in the intelligence field provides interaction with people who are trying to preserve safety in their community.
“Spc. Moon is always seeking to know more and do more,” said Sifford, who is from Charlotte, N.C. “She has a strong sense of duty and loyalty to her unit and her country. All she wants to do is serve. Her enthusiasm is contagious.”
Moon’s leaders recognized her special qualities by selecting her for a role where she can contribute directly to better healthcare for Iraqi civilians.
“She genuinely cares for other people,” said Sifford. ”She was hand-picked to assist in the collection of medical information because of her concern for others. She will no doubt be very effective in this effort, and she will directly and indirectly help a lot of people in Iraq.”
Moon desires to capitalize on her experiences in Korea and the U.S. Army with a future career in the U.S. government.
“Someday I’d like to be a personal protocol assistant; I’m very good at organizing events and assisting,” said Moon. She added that she has an understanding of what people need. “I want to help people – and as corny as it sounds, I would like to work towards world peace.”
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