Lessons in Leadership & Service with Governor Wes Moore

By DAILEAH RAMIREZ, Vice Chair

Wes Moore pictured in uniform when he served in the military.

In a time when public service can seem clouded by partisanship and politics, my discussion with Governor Wes Moore lent a story offering something that transcends the political divide:

a reminder of what it truly means to serve. Although we as Republicans disagree with many of his policies, his path from soldier to author to governor carries lessons that resonate deeply with young Marylanders. As a young woman from a military family, I wanted to dig into how Moore’s military experience has benefited him as governor.

When asked what inspired him to pursue public service, Moore was quick to trace the roots of that calling back to his teenage years. “I knew relatively early in life I wanted to go into public service,” he said. “I did not know if that would take me to running for office. But public service was something I knew I wanted to do. That probably started happening around late high school, when I decided I wanted to join the Army.”

For Moore, military life was a defining experience that shaped his understanding of leadership. “In that work, you need everyone,” he said. “You need your combat engineers because if you had an IED, who was the one disabling it? It wasn’t us. You constantly had everything running as a team, and everyone had their job.” He explained that no one person could carry the mission alone: “No one’s job was everything, but what is your specific role that you have in the war fight right now? If you do your specific job and everybody else does theirs, you’ve got a much higher probability for success. You never disrespect someone else’s job because their job is a prerequisite for you to be successful in your job.”

The idea that success depends on respect, cooperation, and purpose is something the military instills in so many. And it’s an ideal that many young conservatives can appreciate. The military teaches accountability, structure, and service before self. These values cut across party lines and shape strong leaders.

For college students who want to make a difference but aren’t sure where to start, Moore’s journey provides a grounded example. “Start where you are,” he often advises. Before holding elected office, Moore led nonprofit initiatives focused on youth opportunity and economic mobility, using his leadership skills to uplift others.

Serving doesn’t always mean running for office. It begins with identifying where your skills can meet someone else’s need, whether that’s through mentoring, volunteering, or leading by example in your community. For many young conservatives this may look like getting involved in a church ministry, volunteering with local non profits, or for those more adventures, getting involved in local volunteer fire departments. 

When Moore decided to run for governor (his first campaign for public office) it was a big leap. “Governor was my first time running for office, which is pretty rare,” he acknowledged. But the confidence to take that step came from his earlier military experiences. The military taught him to make tough decisions and stay calm under pressure. Those lessons, he explained, made him believe that leadership isn’t about ambition, but about responsibility. 

Moore’s story offers a call to action. His career reminds us that leadership requires humility and teamwork; that the best public servants, regardless of party, are those who see the value in every person’s contribution.

In today’s polarized world, those lessons from military service - respect for others, focus upon mission, and shared purpose - are more relevant than ever. Young conservatives should serve with integrity, respect the people working beside them, and never forget that our shared success depends on each of us doing our part. 

This month may we honor the men and women who have served our country so that we may know freedom.