From Army Colonel to Community Leader: Kimberly Moros on Purpose, Leadership, and Life After Service

Summary:What happens when the uniform comes off after 30 years of service? For retired U.S. Army Reserve Colonel Kimberly Moros, it meant discovering a new way to lead. In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, Kimberly shares the journey that took her from a curious, competitive kid in Arizona to a senior military leader and eventually into civic leadership. What began as a simple visit to an ROTC office turned into a three-decade career filled with global assignments, mentorship, and service alongside remarkable people.Kimberly reflects on the lessons she learned about teamwork, resilience, and stepping into opportunities even when the path ahead is unclear. After retiring as a Colonel, she continued serving by helping women turn their military experience into meaningful community leadership through The Policy Circle. Her story is a powerful reminder that leadership does not end with military service. It simply takes on a new mission.In this episode, we cover:Growing up immersed in teamwork, sports, and shared goalsWhy she chose military service as a path for growth and responsibilityHow leadership in the military shaped her sense of purposeServing for three decades and transitioning out of uniformWhy service doesn’t end at retirement, it evolvesEmpowering women veterans and military-connected women through civic engagementThe mission and impact of The Policy CircleAdvice for women considering military service or navigating leadership beyond itNotable Quotes & Moments:“If it’s in front of you, try it. If it works, keep going. If it doesn’t, find another path.” – Kimberly Moros [00:09:00]“When you put that uniform on, service becomes a way of life.” – Kimberly Moros [00:01:12]“The best part of military service is the people you meet. You would have never crossed paths otherwise.” – Kimberly Moros [00:09:33]“Leadership isn’t about rank or position. It’s about people.” – Kimberly Moros [00:29:02]“If you don’t allow the doors to open, the doors will always stay shut.” – Kimberly Moros [00:45:00]Timestamps:00:01:37 – Meet retired Army Reserve Colonel Kimberly Moros00:03:26 – Kimberly’s childhood and love of teamwork00:06:03 – Discovering ROTC and choosing the Army00:10:54 – Serving as a woman in uniform00:15:12 – International assignments and career turning points00:16:27 – The emotional moment she was promoted to Colonel00:17:00 – Supporting wounded service members at SOCOM00:23:17 – Life after retirement and discovering The Policy Circle00:31:02 – Real stories of women creating change in their communities00:42:11 – Advice for military women about taking opportunitiesKimberly Moros is a retired U.S. Army Reserve Colonel who served from 1990 to 2020. Raised as the youngest of two brothers, she grew up active, competitive, and deeply rooted in teamwork. Sports, discipline, and shared goals shaped her early life and laid the foundation for a career in service and leadership.After retiring from the Army, Kimberly continued her commitment to service as a Military Fellow and Civic Coach with The Policy Circle, where she supports women, particularly veterans, spouses, and caregivers, in developing civic leadership skills and creating community-level impact. She is also an Executive and Leadership Coach, helping individuals reconnect with purpose, values, and direction.Outside of work, Kimberly enjoys staying active, cooking, learning new things, and connecting with people who care deeply about making a difference.Connect with Kimberly:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-moros/The Policy Circle: https://www.thepolicycircle.orgThe Policy Circle is a national nonprofit organization that equips women with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage in thoughtful policy discussions and lead at the state and local level. Through structured, nonpartisan dialogue and leadership development programs, The Policy Circle helps women move from informed conversation to informed action in their communities. Learn more at www.thepolicycircle.org.For military members, veterans, spouses, and caregivers who want to continue serving beyond the uniform, The Policy Circle offers dedicated programming and connection through its Military Initiative and Civic Leadership programs. Learn more and get involved at https://thepolicycircle.org/military.Connect with The Policy CircleWebsite: https://thepolicycircle.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-policy-circleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepolicycircleFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepolicycircleYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePolicyCircleBe sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.Learn more about the Reveille and Retreat Project: reveilleandretreatproject.orgInstagram: @reveilleandretreatprojectFacebook: Reveille and Retreat ProjectYou aren’t alone.If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veteran ...