Capt. Junhyeong Hwang salutes during a ceremony where Col. Yat H. Ma took command of Dental Health Activity- Fort Jackson, June 27, 2025.

Col. Susan Cebula, former Dental Health Activity - Fort Jackson, speaks during a ceremony where she relinquished command of the unit to Col. Yat H. Ma, June 27, 2025.

From left to right: Col. Susan Cebula, outgoing commander, Col. Tawanna M. McGhee-Thondique, commander of Dental Health Activity – East, and Col. Yat H. Ma, incoming commander of Dental Health Activity - Fort Jackson salute during a change of command ceremony held June 27, 2025

The Dental Health Activity - Fort Jackson color bearer dips the flag and lowers his head during a prayer at the start of a change of command ceremony held June 27 in the Joe E. Mann Ballroom at Fort Jackson.

Col. Yat H. Ma, Dental Health Activity - Fort Jackson commander, stands in front of the unit colors moments after taking command of the unit from Col. Susan Cebula, June 27.

Col. Yat H. Ma, commander of Dental Health Activity - Fort Jackson, receives the unit colors from Col. Tawanna M. McGhee-Thondique, commander of Dental Health Activity – East, during a ceremony where he took command from Col. Susan Cebula, June 27, 2025.

Changes of command are some of the most common U.S. military ceremonies and at Fort Jackson there are many each year.

Col. Yat H. Ma took command of the Dental Health Activity-Fort Jackson from Col. Susan Cebula in one such ceremony held at the Joe E. Mann Ballroom, June 27.

Cebula, as her last official act as commander. passed the unit colors to Col. Tawanna M. McGhee-Thondique, commander of Dental Health Activity – East, Ma would take command when McGhee-Thondique passed them to him.

“We have witnessed the transfer of command and control from one strong leader to another,” McGhee-Thondique said. “I am so proud to be part of an organization that invests in and continues to groom its talent.”

Both of “these fine officers’” dental school educations were through the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program.

The program was a “launching pad for their illustrious careers,” she added.

Cebula had a positive influence on the command.

“Susan attests that her proudest accomplishment is centered around taking care of people on her team, building … strong leaders that will carry the Army Medical Department into the future,” McGhee-Thondique said. “Thousands of Soldiers and civilians have been promoted in greater rank and responsibility. Individual unit and collective combat training has increased year after year, and her execution has been the best in the region.”

Ma was welcomed into the DENTAC family during the ceremony.

“Thank you for joining our team,” McGhee-Thondique said, adding that she is looking forward to what he brings to the team.

Ma was born in Hong Kong and in 1985 moved to Brooklyn, New York. He initially enlisted in the Army where his first assignment was in Baumholder, Germany. There he gained valuable experience working in a dental unit. Upon commissioning, he was assigned to units including Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Hood, Texas; and Landstuhl, Germany.

“It’s a privilege to be recognized and given the opportunity to lead Fort Jackson DENTAC,” Ma said. Fort Jackson DENTAC mission differs from others as it goes beyond permanent party … “it encompasses all facets of military populations, impacting the lives of our young recruits and our permanent party.”