He returned to Quantico in April 1927 and assumed command of 1st Battalion, 10th Marines. Following the activation of 3rd Marine Brigade under Brigadier General Smedley Butler at that time, Moses and his battalion joined the brigade and embarked for expeditionary duty in China. He was stationed at Shanghai International Settlement until September 7 of that year, when he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and attached to the American Legation Guard in Peking. While in the latter assignment, Moses served consecutively as executive officer, Officer-in-Charge of Operations and Training, and Post Intelligence Officer. He departed China in June 1929 and entered the Army War College in Washington, D.C., where he graduated in June of the following year. Moses was then sent to the Senior Course at Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island, which he completed in June 1931. Moses then served at Marine Corps Base San Diego as commanding officer of the Recruit Depot and the Separate Infantry Battalion, before departed back to China for duty as executive officer, 4th Marine Regiment under Colonel Richard S. Hooker. He was stationed again at Shanghai International Settlement, where 4th Marines served as a defense force during a period of tensions between China and Japan. On December 23, 1932, Colonel Hooker suffered a heart attack and died following day. Moses assumed temporary command of the regiment and held it until arrival of new commanding officer, Colonel Fred D. Kilgore, on March 12, 1933. Unfortunately, Colonel Kilgore was also betrayed by his health and following a nervous breakdown on May 6, 1933, he was succeeded by Moses as regimental commander. He held command of Fourth Marines until the arrival of Colonel John C. Beaumont on July 11 of that year. Moses already proved his qualities during the periods of temporary regimental command and was promoted to colonel on March 20, 1934. He was then transferred to the Philippines and assumed command of the Marine Barracks and Naval Prison at Naval Base Cavite. Moses remained in that capacity until the end of August and embarked for the United States for deserved leave with his family. He reported for duty as commanding officer, Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. at the beginning of October 1934 with additional duty as director, Marine Corps Institute. He was appointed chief of staff, Fleet Marine Force under Brigadier General Douglas C. McDougal in September 1935 and assumed additional duty as commanding