Sergeant Major Moran was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and graduated from Murrell Dobbins Vo.Tech. H. S., in 1983. He then attended Porterville Community College and Kansas Wesleyan University. He then enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1988 and attended Boot Camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. After Boot Camp, Private First Class Moran attended his military occupational school aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., to be 3521 Organizational Motor Transport Mechanic.
After graduating he was assigned to Headquarters Battery, 2nd Bn., 11th Marine, 1st Mar., Div., Camp Pendleton, Calif. In February 1990, Lance Corporal Moran deployed to Okinawa, Japan, with Battery E., 2nd Bn., 11th Marines. He was then detached to 3rd Bn., 7th Marine Regiment, which deployed to the Philippines, where he completed Jungle Environment Sustainment Training.
In August 1990, Corporal Moran returned to Camp Pendleton for a short stay and then deployed to the Persian Gulf with Battery E, 2nd Bn., 11th Marines, 5th MEB. After returning to Camp Pendleton in 1992, he transferred to Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 in Iwakuni, Japan, where he served as Shop Chief
and on the rifle and pistol team.
In 1993, Sergeant Moran transferred to MTM Co., 1st FSSG., Camp Pendleton. Sergeant Moran then volunteered to serve on Embassy Duty, and was assigned as the Assistant Detachment Commander positions for both Lagos, Nigeria and Athens, Greece, from July 1994 to December 1996.
Staff Sergeant Moran then served as the Maintenance Chief for 3rd Bn, 11th Marines, in 29 Palms, California from 1996-1999.
He was then transferred to MWSS 171 Iwakuni, Japan, and then received orders to Drill Instructor School and served as a Drill Instructor and Chief drill instructor from September 2000 to September 2003.
Gunnery Sergeant Moran then transferred to CSSB 12, Camp Pendleton, California and served as the Company First Sergeant for Support Company. In February 2004 Gunnery Sergeant Moran then served as the First Sergeant for Headquarters and Service Company deploying to Iraq.
January 2005 he was frocked to the grade of First Sergeant and assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines were he served from February 2005 to January 2008, deploying twice more to Iraq. December 2007 Sergeant Major Moran frocked to his current rank and in February 2008 reported for his assignment to, 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III MEF., completing a deployment to Iraq in February 2009 and a deployment to Afghanistan in December 2010.
February 2011 Sergeant Major Moran reported in as the Sergeant Major for Eastern Pennsylvania Recruiting Station Harrisburg.
In June 2013 Sergeant Major Moran reported to The Basic School Quantico Va. for duty to serve as the Sergeant Major.
Sergeant Major Moran's personal awards include:
The Bronze Star Medal, The Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal , Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third with combat "V"'s for valor, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu second award, Combat Action Ribbon with two gold stars in lieu of third award and an Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. He also has a Bachelors' of Arts in Criminal Justice and an Associate Degree in General Studies.