Maurice Skillern was born in Houston, Texas. He spent most of his early life playing basketball and learning of the world through the sometimes harsh experiences of living in his neighborhood (Houston "Acres Homes", Texas). After graduating high school neither he nor his family had the means to send him to college so he then made a focused decision to better himself no matter what sacrifice needed to be made. He soon went active duty into the United States Army where he has spent most of his adult life, serving on both active duty and in the reserve components. He has, in the years since joining the military been activated and served willingly in three conflicts (Desert Shield/Storm, Joint Endeavor (Germany), Iraq Freedom (Baghdad, Iraq)). He has also served on both sides of the Army houses, initially as an enlisted soldier (where he reached the rank of Sergeant First Class (E7) and he retired (April 2008) as an Officer (Captain).