Major Messing is currently the Executive Director of the National Defense Council Foundation.

Major Messing had a distinguished military career including a tour in Vietnam, two purple hearts, and the Meritorious Service Medal.

In 1980 he organized Vietnam Veterans for Reagan.

He was a consultant for the Department of Defense on Central American matters and the state department in regard to the Philippines and Russia. 

Major Messing lectures at the Central Intelligence Agency, The US Naval Academy, and the US Coast Guard Academy.