By Dawn Arden

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — A ceremony was held Aug. 28 on Gammon Field promoting Donna Martin to the rank of major general. The promotion ceremony preceded Martin taking command of the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood.

Lt. Gen. Gwendolyn Bingham, Installation Management assistant chief of staff, presided over the ceremony and said the day marked a monumental achievement for the Army and Fort Leonard Wood.

“It is a great day when we can promote any Soldier to the next higher grade or rank,” Bingham said. “It is absolutely a magnanimous achievement when a general officer adds another star and is given the privilege to command an organization and to lead America’s sons and daughters.”

She added, “Without a doubt, Brig. Gen. Martin has worked very hard throughout her 30-year career. She is a tremendous leader, a trailblazer and a consummate professional who achieves excellence in all that she has done. She is a role model and trusted leader for all.”

Bingham said it is the tough jobs Martin has held that have provided her with the foundational leadership knowledge, allowing her to ascend through the ranks.

Martin said she didn’t make it this far in her career on her own, noting the support of her husband, Chris, her family and others.

“This promotion is a reflection of the hard work of so many people who I have worked with and worked for,” Martin said. “I will always, every single day, try to live up to what you expect of a major general in the United States Army.”

Bingham said Martin’s impeccable character, her steadfast zeal for excellence and her extraordinary leadership will bring quintessential skill sets to help make her successful in her new role.

“With this promotion and today’s change-of-command ceremony, Donna will continue to develop, to coach, teach, train, encourage and inspire the next generation of men and women, both military and civilian,” Bingham said. “As the commanding general of Fort Leonard Wood and the U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence, in this role, she will become the first woman to ever hold this position.”

The Military Officer’s Oath was administered by Lt. Gen. Michael Lundy, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center commanding general.