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It was a cold night in the woods of Mississippi when a young Dakota Moss patiently waited for three hours for the right moment. Next to his cousins, he scanned the horizon until it suddenly appeared! Moss quickly took aim, held his breath, and with one motion he pulled the trigger.
As the shot echoed, his mind cleared and the cheers of his cousins could be heard. He had done it, Moss had just killed his first deer. Overjoyed, he walked up to his prey and rubbed the blood on his face symbolizing his rite of passage to the hunting ranks.
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dakota Moss, 86th Medical Support Squadron laboratory technician, grew up in the rural town of Rayville, Mississippi, where he spent the majority of his time playing sports and hunting squirrels. As he grew up, Moss developed an interest in nature and animals and decided to pursue a degree in biology.
After completing his degree, Moss enrolled in medical school where he continued his education until he decided medical school was not for him.
“After I left medical school I was looking for options,” said Moss. “That’s when my dad, a retired U.S. Army Soldier, recommended the U.S. Air Force.”
After careful consideration, Moss enlisted. Joining the Air Force not only provides him with a new set of skills, but also allows him to continue his education and pursue other career choices, said Moss.
He enlisted as a laboratory technician where he was given the opportunity to keep learning about careers in healthcare and mentor his colleagues with the knowledge he already possessed.
“Arriving at Ramstein, Moss not only met expectations but went above and beyond what was expected,” said Tech. Sgt. Billy Gann, 86 MSS diagnostic and therapeutic flight chief. “With his background in biology and medical school, he brings a wealth of knowledge not only benefitting newer Airmen, but myself as well.”
Recently, Moss traveled to Lajes Field, Portugal, where he worked together with the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron coordinating travel for biomedical equipment repair technicians, allowing for the calibration of 20 plus pieces of medical equipment. Additionally, Moss delivered 20 vaccinations and collected samples of 98% of overdue personnel ensuring mission readiness.
Moss excels in his current career field, but he has a new goal in the crosshairs.
While at Lajes, Moss ran into a couple of pilots who took interest in his aspirations in becoming a pilot. Currently, Moss is taking classes and doing the appropriate paperwork to take to the skies as a commissioned pilot.
“After speaking to the pilots at Lajes, and seeing the smiles on their faces, the view from the sky and their passion for flying,I have now begun the process to become a pilot, and look forward to joining their ranks,” said Moss.
