FORT LEE, Va. – U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command/Sustainment Center of Excellence welcomed a new commanding general as Maj. Gen. Michelle Donahue relinquished command to Maj. Gen. Sean Davis during a change of command ceremony Nov. 14, 2025, at the Ordnance Training Support Facility on Fort Lee.
Center for Initial Military Training Commanding General Lt. Gen. David Francis presided over the ceremony.
“Our centers of excellence are some of the most challenging organizations in our army to lead, train and budget,” Francis said. “Their impact on the army of today and in the future is unparalleled as they serve as force modernization proponents, training proponents, portfolio acquisition executives and senior mission commanders.
“The Sustainment Center of Excellence mission complexity and impact on our Army is extremely significant and also includes multiple Army-level initiatives,” he said. “For the last two years, Michelle Donahue’s pivotal role in training the most lethal soldiers, developing the most professional leaders, guiding the Army's culture and Shaping the Future Force cannot be overstated.
“Since December 2023, she was committed to making the world's premier fighting force better each and every day, and she did a magnificent job,” continued Francis.
Under Donahue, CASCOM was charged with ensuring sustainment and structure viability, and she operationalized Army senior guidance to the Army structure release. During her tenure, the command developed light division organizational designs concurrent with TiC (Transforming in Contact) and developed the pathway for heavy division designs and experimentation as well.
She led the command to incorporate rapid revisions and technology into initial military training and professional military education and included augmented reality and virtual reality technology into the programs of instruction, exploring new property accountability technology tools for the Centers of Excellence and deploying data analytics into instructor courses.
“Over his nearly 35-year Army career, General Davis has served in a wide variety of roles at every echelon,” Francis said. “Your experiences make you exactly the type of leader to continue the momentum of CASCOM and the Sustainment Center of Excellence.
“I know you will bring the same energy and focus on Soldiers and families here at Fort Lee as you have over the course of your career, and we're thrilled to have you on the CASCOM team, as we continue to drive change,” he added.
Davis comes to the command from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and U.S. Forces Command, where he was the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4.
“It's an honor of a lifetime to assume command of CASCOM. I'm very excited about it,” said the new commanding general. “I am humbled to take this command, and I appreciate this moment in time. I'm really looking forward to continuing the path that General Donahue laid.”
At the end of the ceremony, Donahue was promoted to lieutenant general by one of her mentor’s retired Gen. Martin Dempsey, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“I want to mention I promoted Michelle back from major to lieutenant colonel, and I didn't think I'd be taking on the burden of promoting her like five more times,” Dempsey said. “Confidence will get you in the door, but what keeps you in positions of leadership and what keeps you getting promoted is character. We can never forget that.
“What Michelle means to me is someone who has found that really almost perfect balance of confidence and character,” he said.
The oath of office was rendered then the two-star flag was encased. The three-star flag was unfurled representing Donahue’s new rank.
“Today, I stand before you filled with gratitude and humility, and less eager to talk about my promotion and what’s ahead but more eager to acknowledge the many individuals and teams who have contributed to the success of CASCOM, the Sustainment Center of Excellence, and the Fort Lee community over the last two years,” Donahue said.
“As I look ahead to my next assignment, I remain committed to driving changes through installation and sustainment modernization, building upon the strong foundation laid by the outstanding professionals I have served with over these past 23 months,” she added. “Thank you all for your service, dedication, and trust,” Donahue continued. “It has been the privilege and honor of a lifetime to serve as your commander, as we all have strived to be great ancestors.”
Donahue will be stationed at the Pentagon as the U.S. Army, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4.
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