Ted Moreland was born on December 19, 1962, in Beeville, Texas. He was appointed a Midshipman in the U.S. Navy Reserve while enrolled in the Navy ROTC unit at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina, on August 30, 1982, but he left the program and went on active duty in an enlisted status on September 19, 1984. Moreland attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at NAB Coronado, California, from October 1984 to September 1985, and then completed Basic Airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia, in October 1985. His first assignment was with SEAL Team TWO at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia, from November 1985 to April 1993, and during this time he participated in combat operations during Operation Just Cause, the Invasion of Panama, in December 1989. His next assignment was with Naval Special Warfare Unit 2 in Stuttgart, Germany, from April to October 1993, followed by service back with SEAL Team TWO at NAB Little Creek from October 1993 until he was killed in a ground accident while training aboard a C-17 Globemaster III at Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station, New Jersey, on December 4, 1996. Chief Petty Officer Moreland was buried at Princess Anne Memorial Park in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The Sailor's Creed:

I am a United States Sailor.

I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me.

I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world.

I proudly serve my country's Navy combat team with Honor, Courage and Commitment.

I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all.