Army Entertainment NCO goal-setter, achiever

Fresh from the farm she called home in Marion, S.C., 1st Sgt. Cynthia Moody joined the Army with a friend in 1987. She said she recognized the opportunities it afforded her. She also joined with the hope of becoming a member of the Golden Knights, the Army's elite parachute performance team.

The recruiter told her, although she might not be able to be a Knight, she could still be Airborne. After basic training, she was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, N.C. as a personnel specialist.

From there, she followed through on a series of goals she set for herself: becoming a drill sergeant, earning three degrees and becoming a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.
After deploying to Iraq with the 4th Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Moody began to contemplate what other options were available to her.

At an NCO professional development session, a discussion arose regarding first sergeant positions. When an opening in the Army Entertainment Detachment was mentioned, it was music to her ears. The Airborne sergeant was looking for a change.

She applied for the position and got it. Since then, her feet have been planted firmly on the stage and under the spotlights. She is the second woman to lead the detachment as a first sergeant.

Because she and her siblings were always busy with the chores around the farm, neither she nor other members of her family ever had time to be musically inclined.

But, growing up, she experienced Christian and Gospel music and the songs of the South, which gave her an ear for and an appreciation of music.

She also has a very hard-working, can-do attitude. So the long days and nights and the physical nature of setting up shows came easy.

So did the skills of handling her cast and crew. She is always present on the set or behind the scenes, making sure everything runs smoothly.

"During the initial development of the Soldier Show, it is imperative that you communicate with them. The days are long and the nights are short, support is the key to running a show
successfully," Moody said.

At a recent practice, she watched intently, then made specific suggestions to the performers after the performance. "Sometimes the Soldiers slip, fall, miss a line - all of those little mistakes that only we know about. The performance continues and, afterward, we all share a good laugh," she said.

The support from the audience, she said, is what lifts them when they need the energy to set up the next show. "The best aspect of my job is to see the faces filled with excitement after the show ... then hearing the compliments and the gratitude from Soldiers, families, friends and civilians after each performance ... that is rewarding," Moody said.

Her own 11 siblings, mother and father sometimes watch the shows at Fort McPherson, Ga., and Fort Jackson, S.C. Her 16-year-old daughter, Raven, accompanies her to the Maryland, Virginia and New York performances.

Moody said she encourages her Soldiers to use the strategy that has worked for her: develop a plan of action, set achievable goals, constantly review the plan, stay focused on the future and never give up.

"I constantly counsel Soldiers. I focus on their well-being. I focus on the total Soldier and let them know I am there for them," Moody said.

"The Army has enhanced my character, qualities, abilities and inner strength. With each measure of success, I feel my confidence grow and my knowledge increase. I mentor Soldiers keeping what I have learned in mind, and measuring my responses," she said.

Moody has seen several Soldiers continue on in the entertainment field, joining the Army Band or Army Chorus.

Although the Soldier that makes it to national fame has yet to land, Moody continues on pursuing rewarding and challenging personal goals and enabling Soldiers to attain theirs.