MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. — Brig. Gen. Tanya E. Simmons assumed command of the Deployment Support Command during a ceremony aboard the USS Yorktown on Aug. 10, 2026, succeeding Brig. Gen. Manu Davis, who led the command for the past 22 months. Maj. Gen. Jake Kwon, commander of the 377th Theater Sustainment Command, officiated the ceremony. The ceremony followed traditional Army protocol, including the presentation of the organizational colors, the playing of the national anthem and the Army song, and the passing of the colors, the symbol of a commander's authority and responsibility. Command Sgt. Maj. Davenport transferred the colors to Davis for the final time before Davis passed them to Simmons, formally transferring command. Representatives from the Deployment Support Command's subordinate brigades attended, including leaders from the 1179th, 1189th, 1190th and 1394th Transportation Support Brigades and the 757th Expeditionary Rail System. In his remarks, Kwon praised Simmons' leadership philosophy, calling her "strong, humble, and remarkably important" and noting she has "commanded successfully at every echelon to get to this moment." He said her guiding principle is simple: "to share information and empower others. Figure something out and don't keep it a secret." Kwon also recalled Simmons' early career, when she struggled during a physical training session as a young lieutenant but worked with her master sergeant until she exceeded expectations. He said the experience taught her that "you don't quit. You put in the work, and you keep doing it until you win." Closing his remarks, Kwon told Simmons, "I have nothing but total confidence in your ability to lead this command through this transition. Continue to lead, continue to innovate, and continue to deliver." In her remarks, Davis thanked her family, staff and the soldiers and civilians of the command. She spoke about her six children and five grandchildren, saying, "No rank, no title, no position will ever mean more to me than being their mom and their grandmother. My heart is full because of each of you. I love you more than I'll ever know or you'll ever know." Davis expressed confidence in Simmons' ability to lead the organization forward. Simmons, addressing the formation for the first time as commanding general, said she understood "the significance of this commitment and the obligation of duty as the commander." She outlined her vision for the command, saying, "Let's lean forward, let's innovate where we can, refine where we must, and never lose sight of the mission that sets this command apart. The Army depends on us to be the link that makes deployment possible." She also pledged her approach to leading soldiers and civilians: "I will listen, learn, and work alongside you to strengthen this command, and I will do everything I can to ensure you have what you need to thrive." Simmons closed her remarks with a direct call to action: "I'm honored to lead this command. Together we will move the DSC forward. Let's go to work."
The Deployment Support Command, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is a subordinate command of the 377th Theater Sustainment Command. Operational control with Army Transportation Command (ARTRANS). The DSC synchronizes and coordinates personnel and equipment movement in support of Army and joint force operations worldwide.
Story by Maj. Porter Moore III, Deployment Support Command Chief of Public Affairs
| Date Taken: | 08.12.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.12.2026 18:10 |
| Story ID: | 572271 |
| Location: | MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 22 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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