Police officer, reservist moonlights for the 818th MSAS

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Luther Mitchell Jr
  • 621st Contingency Response Squadron
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST --  

Most people would love to find one job they love doing, but finding two is a dream for many.

That’s what happened to Staff Sgt. Richard Deiss, who has been serving as the 818th Mobility
Support Advisory Squadron lead intelligence analyst while also being employed by the
Cinnaminson Police Department in New Jersey.

Deiss’s journey began after high school, where he was working at a small pest control company
when he decided to follow his dreams.

“I did that for about eight years, but I always wanted to be in the military,” Deiss said. “I wish I
had done that right out of high school. So, when I turned 25, I enlisted in the Air Force Reserve
and became an intelligence analyst.”

Deiss completed basic training in 2018 and was stationed with the 514th Operations Support
Squadron at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. However, six weeks later he was
attending training again, but this time with the CPD.

“It was a very difficult academy, but I got through it,” Deiss said.

Deiss balanced working as a law enforcement officer and being a reservist, until an opportunity
he always wanted presented itself.

“A master sergeant who held this job before me, reached out to tell me that an intelligence
spot was opening up with MSAS,” Deiss said. “He said, ‘they need somebody to take over, are
you interested?’ And I jumped on it.”

Shortly after coordinating with his Reserve unit and the police department, he received orders
to the 818th MSAS.

“Going right into the reserves, not having active duty experience, this was a big opportunity for
me,” Deiss said. “I really love doing intelligence work and I love this mission. It’s super unique
and super cool.”

Even though Deiss’s career with the police department he loves is protected, he realizes what
the difficulty of balancing two jobs can bring.

“I have my police family and I have my military family,” Deiss said. “You are kind of torn
between two worlds, especially being a cop.”

Deiss will return to his other dream job with the CPD and his Traditional Reservist position in
April, after serving six months on Active Guard Reserve status.

Though his military coworkers are sad to see him leave, his reserve unit isn’t too far away.
“Staff Sgt. Deiss is a very mission-oriented person and his performance is fitting of those in
higher ranks than his current grade,” said Capt. Angelina Blackburn, 818th MSAS director of
intelligence. “His ability to keep the MSAS up to date with relevant and timely mission-specific
intelligence has contributed to informed leadership decisions and the increased safety of our air
advisors within the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility. He is part of the Silverback
family and we are sad to see him go. For now, we are glad he won't be too far away with his
reserve unit just down the road.”