DSC commander earns the rank of general officer

By CourtesyMay 18, 2013

DSC commander earns the rank of general officer
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Peter Lennon (left), commanding general of the 377th Theater Sustainment Command, prepares to remove the rank of colonel and replace it with the insignia of brigadier general as he promotes Brig. Gen. Michael Mann (right), commander of the ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
DSC commander earns the rank of general officer
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
DSC commander earns the rank of general officer
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Story by Staff Sgt. Sheila Holifield

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - In front of soldiers and friends, Maj. Gen. Peter Lennon, commanding general of the 377th Theater Sustainment Command, promoted Brig. Gen. Michael Mann, commander of the United States Army Reserve Deployment Support Command from Birmingham, Ala., to the general officer ranks.

As the future of the Army moves toward a globally-responsive and regionally-engaged force, it is crucial to have leaders that are prepared to train and lead soldiers to the next level.

Lennon agrees that the newly-promoted commander is a leader who does just that.

"He leads from the front and he leads up, always taking his soldiers to another level," said Lennon.

General officers are personally approved and nominated for promotion by the commander in chief. Approximately 1.5 percent of all officers in the Army Reserve makes it through the ranks and become eligible to pin on a star, added Lennon.

"The promotion to become a general officer is significant because it is based on merit and performance," said Lennon. "This promotion moves Brig. Gen. Mann into a different layer."

Numerous hours of education and commitments to various positions and assignments have all led Mann to this point in his career.

"It feels good and I see it as a real privilege to be promoted by Maj. Gen. Lennon," said Mann.

The newly-promoted commander took the time to thank former DSC commander, Maj. Gen. Janet Cobb, assistant deputy chief of staff, G-4, Mobilization and Training, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G4 Washington, D.C., for standing up a great organization before he took command and always being available even after he took command of the DSC.

"Most importantly, I would like to recognize three groups of people who helped make this day happen: the DSC soldiers, whom I listen to and respect, my mentors, especially Maj. Gen. Lennon, and most importantly my family because without family support we cannot be effective," said Mann.

Upon the completion of the promotion ceremony, the 313 United States Army Reserve Band played one ruffles and flourishes to honor Mann on his day.