The Military Officers Association of America’s “Marketing Yourself for a Second Career” transition lecture program was founded in 1982 and today MOAA provides over 150 lectures annually on military installations throughout the United States and overseas. It has a reputation as a “must attend” event for service members and their spouses three years or less from separation or retirement.  

The free presentation includes introducing the audience to the realities of the competitive civilian job market, perceptions civilian employers have regarding military personnel, a plan for job searching, tips for strengthening resumes, networking outlines, planning for and conducting successful interviews, and negotiating salary and benefit packages. All attendees will receive a free copy of MOAA’s Marketing Yourself for a Second Career publication. 

Presenter: COL Richard  W.  Crampton, USA (Ret.)

Director,  Officer  Placement  Service

Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)

Colonel  Richard  “Dick”  W.  Crampton  was  commissioned  a  second  lieutenant  in  Field  Artillery  through  the  Reserve  Officer  Training  Corps  upon  graduating  from  Arkansas  State  University  in  1970.

After flight  school,  Colonel  Crampton  deployed  to  the  Republic  of  Vietnam  where  he  flew  CH-47s  with  both  the  213th  and  180th  Assault  Support  Helicopter  Companies.    In  addition,  he  served  six  months as  a  forward  observer  with  the  last U.S. infantry unit in Vietnam, the 196th  Light  Infantry  Brigade.    He  was  next  assigned  to  the  Army  Aviation  Center, Ft Rucker, AL,  where  he  was  an  instructor  pilot  and  operations  officer.    After  graduation  from  the  Armor  Officer  Advanced  Course,  Colonel  Crampton  was  assigned  to  the  2nd  Armored  Division, Ft Hood, TX, where he  was  a  primary  staff  officer, company commander  in  2nd  Battalion,  67th  Armor, and an action  officer  on  the  G3  staff.    Next, he was an  assistant  S3,  troop  operations  officer,  and    troop  commander in the 3rd  Squadron,  4th  Cavalry,  25th  Infantry  Division.  After the  Armed  Forces  Staff  College,  he  served  in  a  three-year  joint  assignment  with  the  Air  Ground  Operations  School at Hurlburt Field, FL, and then returned  to  the  25th  Infantry  Division.    This tour he was the Aviation Brigade  S3, Executive  Officer,  and  the  commander  of  the  53d  Aviation  Battalion  (Assault).    After  graduating  from  the  Army  War  College,  Colonel  Crampton  was  assigned  as  Chief,  Aviation  Branch,  Officer  Personnel  Management  Directorate,  Total  Army  Personnel  Command (PERSCOM). He next assumed  command  of  the  Army’s  only  fixed  wing  brigade,  the  Operational  Support  Airlift  Command, and then returned to PERSCOM to serve as Chief,  Warrant  Officer  Division. He retired from the Army with over 26 years service.

His  awards  and  decorations  include  the  Legion  of  Merit,  Bronze  Star,  Purple  Heart,  Meritorious  Service  Medal  (with  2  Oak  Leaf  Clusters),  Air  Medal  (with  4  Oak  Leaf  Clusters),  Army  Commendation  Medal,  Air  Force  Commendation  Medal,  Master  Aviator  Badge,  and  Air  Assault  Badge.    He was  rated  in  the  UH-1,  AH-1,  CH-47,  UH-60,  U-21,  and  C-12.

Colonel  Crampton  is  married  to  the  former  Patricia  Lynn  Schmitt  of  Chicago,  Illinois.    They  have  one  child,  Lisa, who lives in Beverly Hills, CA.

Dick joined MOAA in 1996 and served as Deputy Director, MOAA’s Officer Placement Service until November, 2004, when he became the Director of the department.

Deputy Director, Financial Education
Military Officers Association of America

Phil Dyer, CFP®, RLP® is deputy director, financial education at MOAA. Phil attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1985. He served on active duty as an armor officer with duty assignments in Germany and Ft. Knox, Ky., and achieved the rank of captain. After separating from active duty in 1990 to pursue opportunities in the private sector, he worked in pharmaceuticals sales as an institutional healthcare consultant.

He transitioned to financial planning in 1997 and specializes in financial education, employee benefits, and military-to-civilian transition educational programs. He has presented over 500 educational briefings for corporate, non-profit, military, and educational organizations over the last 13 years.  He writes regular financial columns for Military Officer and Military Spouse magazines and is frequently quoted in the media on military financial planning issues. He resides with his family in Baldwin, Md.

MOAA position: Deputy Director, Benefits Information Department; Certified Financial Planner