How DLA Troop Support Deputy Commander Christopher Mosher puts people first to support the mission

Following his return to the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support on June 16, 2023, Deputy Commander Christopher Mosher sits down to reflect on a milestone first year. As the agency's second-in-command, Mosher leverages decades of military and logistics leadership experience to support a workforce of 2,200 civilian and military teammates and guide the organization through a highly successful fiscal year. In the following interview, Mosher shares personal insights on his leadership philosophy, the power of active presence and his impressions of DLA Troop Support's dedicated team.

Q: What was your life like when you were growing up and what helped shape your worldview?

A: I grew up in Pembroke, Massachusetts, about halfway between Boston and Cape Cod. Growing up I had four other siblings, and both of my parents were high school teachers. My dad was a football coach and baseball coach, so that was sort of the environment I grew up in. We were a very sports-oriented family, and I played a variety of sports, but I was a recruited football player. I made my college decision to attend the United States Naval Academy really because of the football recruiting process. To an extent, it was also a result of my older brother attending the Naval Academy. I joined the class of 1988, so I started my journey in the Department of War in 1984.

Q: Was service to our nation something you were always considering in life?

A: My father served in the Marines for about four years out of high school. He loved the Marine Corps and to his dying day it was a big part of his identity. So, there was always a familiar aspect of military service in my life. It was something that my family and I respected and appreciated. I think to an extent I always felt the call to serve. I was also considering Reserve Officer Training Programs in my college decision process. So, my father serving and my brother being ahead of me at the Naval Academy were two strong influences in my life.

Q: How did the Naval Academy prepare you for life and your long career serving as an officer?

A: The four years I spent there were very challenging. To be a Division I athlete there, and specifically football, it's a very demanding schedule. Every day starts at 6:00 a.m. with a full academic load, military load, football practices, football team meetings, et cetera. One of the things I took away from it was, "if I can do that, I can do anything." I really came away with a, "I don't know if anything is going to be harder than that," type mentality. I also learned that you're not going through this process alone. The football part, being a team sport, and they mean so much to you, but more broadly, as a Midshipman. Your friendships, your relationships with the people from your company, are a really important and foundational experience of learning that relationships matter and the importance of developing teams.

Q: What would you describe your leadership style and how did the Naval Academy help shape it?

A: That time really helped shape me, but then it was the beginning. Then I spent 30 years in the Navy Supply Corps with a variety of different jobs. Some were key leadership jobs, especially later in my career and subsequently I began my civilian career working with some senior leaders. During those 42 years that I've served continuously in the Department of War, I was exposed to lots of leadership styles. Some I would like to emulate, others I wouldn't. I've also been exposed to different lectures and books on leadership, but it really boils down to two distinct things. Number one, you need to care. You need to care about people, you need to care about your organization and you need to care about your mission. Number two, you have to be there. By that I mean be there physically, be there mentally, be there emotionally and be present. As simple as it sounds, those two things are foundational to being a good leader.

Q: I've noticed you have more of a servant leadership style and you try to help others. Why is that important to you and DLA Troop Support?

A: That's my job. My job is to support the workforce. Period. Stop. I don't award contracts. I don't do demand planning. I'm not in financial planning. I'm here to support the workforce. My job is to make sure our teammates have everything they need to be successful. So that's just the way I foundationally look at it. I am here to support the workforce. When I talk to any group, I really only put up one image behind me of my family with a tagline that says, "I'm here to help you." That's one of the things I've learned over time. If you really support the workforce in what they need, then I can use my position, time and influence to deliver on that. I look for things where I can help make a positive impact within the organization.

Q: You had some experience with DLA Troop Support while in uniform, but now that you've been in the Deputy Commander role for more than a year, what are your takeaways about the organization?

A: Seeing everything from the top, I'm amazed by the breadth of the work that we do. Our sales have grown dramatically since I was last working at DLA Troop Support. I don't remember what the number was then, but it's not the $30 billion we're on track for this fiscal year. So, we've grown. We continue to grow in some respects. And I'm just impressed by our team and their professionalism. I really think it's unique. Our workforce really identifies with the warfighter and there is a deep commitment to support them. It's in our ethos. It's part of our culture. I think that will continue to sustain us through any challenge or changes that might be on the horizon.