Harold Gregory "Hal" Moore, Jr. (born February 13, 1922) is a retired Lieutenant General in the United
States Army. Moore is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, which is the second highest military
decoration of the United States Army. He was the lieutenant colonel in command of the 1st Battalion, 7th
Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, at the Battle of Ia Drang on November 14–16, 1965, in
Vietnam. Today he is the "Honorary Colonel" of the Regiment. Along with the Distinguished Service Cross,
Lieutenant General Hal Moore was awarded two Combat Infantryman Badge, three Bronze Stars—2 for Valor,
a Master Parachutist Badge , the 2003 USO Patriot Award, the 2003 Distinguished Graduate Award from the
West Point Association of Graduates and Order of Saint Maurice by the National Infantry Association.
Born in Bardstown, Kentucky, Moore's chances of obtaining an appointment to the United States Military
Academy were reduced due to the demographics of the area. Moore therefore moved to Washington, D.C.,
where he completed his high school education, and attended George Washington University for two years
before receiving his appointment from a Georgia congressman in 1942 (despite having never before been to
Georgia).
He graduated from West Point in 1945 and attended graduate studies at George Washington and Harvard
universities, obtaining a Masters degree in international relations.
Moore was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1945. Moore was the first of his class (1945) to be
promoted to brigadier general, major general, and lieutenant general. After his retirement in 1977, Moore
served as the Executive Vice President of the Crested Butte Ski Area, Colorado.
Hal Moore is best known for the Battle of Ia Drang, well-detailed in his 1992 book We Were Soldiers Once…
And Young, which was made into a movie in 2002, entitled We Were Soldiers. The Battle of Ia Drang began in
November 1965 when 450 men of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry were dropped by helicopter into a small
clearing in the Ia Drang Valley, South Vietnam. Unbeknownst to Moore and his commanders, this clearing was
adjacent to more than 4,000 North Vietnamese soldiers, who quickly surrounded the small unit. Encircled by
enemy soldiers with no clear landing zone (LZ) that would allow them to leave, Lieutenant Colonel Moore
managed to persevere despite overwhelming odds that led to a sister battalion only two-and-a-half miles away
being massacred. Moore's dictum that "there is always one more thing you can do to increase your odds of
success" and the perseverance and courage of his entire command are credited with this astounding outcome.
The focus of the Hal Moore Leadership Academy at Auburn High School is for students to understand the
meaning of leadership and what makes a strong leader. Students research and learn from the past and
present world, community, and local leaders. As well, instruction focuses on organization, communication, and
other skills that will enhance students’ understanding of his/her own leadership capabilities. Finally, students
are asked to look for ways to improve the world around through service-learning and encouraging positive
relationships with peers, faculty and staff, to live with integrity, and encourage others.
Motto: “There is always one more thing you can do to increase your odds of success.”
Purpose: The Hal Moore Leadership Academy focuses on each student’s character leadership (wellness of
body, mind, and soul), leadership purpose (setting personal and professional goals and objectives), and
leadership governance (private and public sector influence). The program’s goal is to enhance these student
leadership qualities with the unlimited potential of advanced thinking, independence, competence, and selfconfidence in a student’s ability to learn by serving others.
Student Program Focuses:
• Increase individual leadership competencies and how to relate them to real-life situations.
• Focus on organizational leadership orientation and how to develop leadership in others.
• Learn how to enhance personal leadership skills, improve self-awareness, respond appropriately at all
times, model effective communication, encourage cooperation and collaboration.
• Investigate leadership values including consciousness of self, ethical congruence and commitment to
completion.
• Participate in experiential hands-on activities in group, partner, and individual situations.
• Become more reflective and learn from your own as well as other people’s experiences.
• Learn how to grow more leaders around you by sharing the trail with others and leaving a clear path
for future leaders.
Stipulations for student entry into the Hal Moore Leadership Academy:
 GPA Requirement of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
 No more than 2 unexcused absences from school
 Be on track for a timely graduation from Auburn High School
 Completion of 10 Pre-Academy Entrance Service Hours
 2 Letters of Recommendation from Teachers
 1 Letter of Recommendation from other Community Member (not related to you)
 NO School Discipline Referrals in the last calendar school year
 A completed typed essay that address following questions:
o Why do you think you would be a good candidate for the Hal Moore Leadership Academy?
o What do you think makes a person a good leader?
o Describe ONE extracurricular event you have been in charge of/participated in. In this description,
explain your challenges as well as your successes.
 An interview process by a panel of teachers and/or community members
Students selected for the Hal Moore Leadership Academy will adhere to the following rules and
regulations:
1. All members of the Hal Moore Leadership Academy agree to abide by the rules, expectations, and assignments
of the Academy Sponsors. Students will be given a calendar of events that Academy Students will be expected
to attend. Students will meet once a month either directly afterschool or during the evening. Monthly outings
will be planned and Academy members will be required to attend all of these planned events. Events will either
be scheduled during school hours (excused absence) or on Saturday.
2. Excuses from missing planned Academy events will be accepted based upon the rules of Auburn City Schools.
3. Not all assignments will be in writing and may occur at various times during the school year. If a member is
unable to fulfill an assignment, they must secure their own replacement and notify the Academy sponsors
immediately.
4. Hal Moore Leadership Academy students should maintain a positive attitude toward administrators and
teachers, school policies, and events.
5. Hal Moore Leadership Academy students are expected to enroll in Leadership AHS, schedules permitting.
6. A Leadership Academy student’s grade point average shall not fall below a 3.0 and students should not have
more than 2 unexcused absences from school. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in probation and
possible expulsion from the program.
7. Hal Moore Leadership Students will be expected to attend ALL Academy Activities. These activities take place
after school in the evenings. Only excused absences cleared with the teacher prior to the absence will be taken
into consideration.
8. If a member of this class is suspended from school (ISS or OSS), regardless of the reason, he/she will
automatically be removed from the Academy. By signing this agreement, all members and parents are
acknowledging their understanding of this policy.
9.
Academy Students will complete 50 service hours per academic school year. The ten pre-admission hours will
count toward this total. Students will complete 20 service hours per SEMESTER to maintain membership in Hal
Moore Leadership Academy. Hours will be turned in each November and April. Hours will be completed by
participating in planned Academy events only unless pre-approved by an Academy Sponsor.
10. Students who exceed 50 service hours are eligible for competitive scholarship opportunities from the Hal Moore
Leadership Academy. These scholarships will be made available in ranging amounts according to the
membership’s fundraising efforts.
NOTE TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS:

Students who are involved in any activity or misconduct which creates a negative reputation or image to the
group or Auburn High School will be removed from the Hal Moore Leadership Academy. The type of activity
referred to can occur at any time and does NOT have to be school related. It is impossible to list all of the
activities that may apply in this type of situation, but the negative results could affect the entire group.
Therefore, the teacher will determine if an incident warrants being pursued. The teacher will bring the incident
to the attention of the principal, and a joint decision will be made as to whether or not the individual/individuals
should be removed.
Please fill out the following forms and return them to Ms. Shaw by the deadline of ___________________.
You may access my website at www.auburnschools.org/ahs/cshaw to access any of these forms and to
retrieve your service hour log sheet. Emailed forms should be in the form of attachments. My email
address is: cshaw@auburnschools.org
During the summer, please check the website for mandatory events and optional service opportunities.
STUDENT AND PARENT SIGNATURE PAGE
By signing this page, we (student and parent) agree to abide by the expectations and requirements set forth for
The Hal Moore Leadership Academy. We (student and parent) also acknowledge that consequences that may
come from failure to adhere to these expectations. We also have received a copy of this information for our
records.
__________________________________________
Student Name (Neatly Print)
________________________
Date
__________________________________________
Student Signature
__________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (Neatly Print)
_________________________
Date
__________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
__________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (Neatly Print)
__________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
__________________________
Date
2009-2010 Hal Moore Leadership Academy Application
Name ______________________________________________________________________________
Grade (2009-2010 School Year) ___________________________ Current GPA____________________
Address ______________________________________ Home Phone ___________________________
Parent(s) Name (s) ____________________________________________________________________
Your Cell Number _________________________________ Your Email __________________________
Parent Cell Number ____________________________ Parent Cell Number_______________________
Parent Email _________________________________________________________________________
Complete written answers to the following questions. Your answers should be typed and double-spaced and
exhibit preparation and thought. All THREE questions should not exceed 3 double-spaced pages.
o
o
o
Why do you want to participate in Leadership AHS?
What do you think makes a person a good leader?
Describe ONE extracurricular event you have been in charge of/participated in.
description, explain your challenges as well as your successes.
Candidates will be screened and called for interviews in August 2009.
In this