It’s about more than pens, paper

Courtesy Photo | Dannie Simmons, Sr., and Deloris Simmons pose for a family photo. Their son, Staff Sgt. Dannie Simmons, Jr., is on his third deployment to Afghanistan as the supply non-commissioned officer in charge with Headquarters Support Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, out of Fort Bragg, NC. The family keeps in contact via Facebook, Skype, e-mail and phone calls.  

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN

10.14.2011

Story by Staff Sgt. Lindsey Kibler 

ISAF Joint Command

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - During war, and in peacetime, armies need to be supplied — office supplies, uniforms and equipment are invaluable to everyday operations. Staff Sgt. Dannie Simmons, Jr., knows the importance of supplying his guys (and girls) with everything they need to accomplish the mission.

A supply non-commissioned officer in charge with Fort Bragg’s Headquarters Support Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, Simmons is on his third deployment to Afghanistan; this is his second deployment as a supply clerk. His previous deployments, both with the 82nd Airborne Division, were to Bagram; this deployment will be spent at Kandahar Airfield, in southern Afghanistan.

“To win a fight, you need a lot of logistical support. It is imperative to supply and support the command group, whether it is pens or satellite equipment,” said Headquarters Support Company 1st Sgt. Michael Shurko, of Milford, Conn. Shurko said Simmon’s job is unique because he is in charge of supplying both the battalion’s command group as well as the division’s command group.

On a typical day, Simmons, a South Hill, Va. native, spends about 13 hours managing hand receipts for equipment issued to more than 200 Soldiers in his company; the equipment under his control totals about $35 million. He is also responsible for distributing job-specific, properly-functioning equipment to each section within the company.

“Everything around here, in this environment, is stressful. Making sure equipment is accounted for at all times is a huge part of that,” said Simmons.

It was almost seven years ago that Simmons found himself in a recruiter’s station, ready to enlist In the Army. Before then, he had never thought about joining the Army, but new circumstances had Simmons wanting a fresh start, he said.

“I had a friend of mine who joined the Army and he liked it. He seemed to be doing pretty good in the Army, so I figured that might be my way out,” he said.

Originally joining as a mechanic, Simmons was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Div., and deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan, in 2007, for a 15-month tour.

After serving as a mechanic, Simmons found himself wanting more of a challenge. He decided to change jobs, what the Army calls “re-classing,” and became a supply specialist.

“Being a mechanic was good, but doing this job allows me to stand out more—have more responsibility,” Simmons explained.

Supply opened up new opportunities for Simmons, who wants to become a career Soldier and apply for Warrant Officer Candidate School as a Property Accounting Technician.

“I have thought about going warrant [officer] for awhile now, but it was a matter of not having all the minimum requirements completed,” he explained. “But now I have them all, and it’s something I would really like to do.”

To become a Property Accounting technician, Simmons had to have the following: six semester hours of composition-based English, with the grade of C or better, from an accredited institution of higher learning; a letter of recommendation from a senior Property Accounting technician assigned to his unit; and he must have been in the career field for at least five years prior to submitting his application.

Aside from his plans to become a warrant officer, Simmons is also working toward a degree in General Studies with American Military University.

“I have been trying to continue school since I graduated high school, but between deployments every other year and the mission set of the 82nd, it’s been hard. There isn’t a lot of free time,” said Simmons.

But he hasn’t given up. He is currently enrolled in two classes, which he works on in his free time. He also makes time to talk to his friends and family, especially his mother, Deloris, who is in South Hill.

“I call, Facebook, Skype, and e-mail. Whatever I can,” he said. “Since this is my third deployment, she has become immune to me being gone … but I want her to know I love her and I am as safe as I can be.”

Between work, school and the gym, Simmons said he has plenty to keep him busy and help pass the time over the next 10 months. He’s already planning on what to do after his time with the 82nd— and with the money he’s saving.

“I would like to work as a Special Forces support element or maybe go to Hawaii,” he said. “I want to buy a house when I get back, too.”

• Date Taken: 10.14.2011
• Date Posted: 10.14.2011 09:07
• Story ID: 78476
• Location: KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF