MACDILL AFB, Fla., Aug. 7, 2018 —
The Commander, Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) held a change of command ceremony at the headquarters facilities, July 19.
Maj. Gen. Darsie D. Rogers relinquished command to Rear Adm. Wyman Howard Thursday during a traditional ceremony on MacDill in front of senior leaders, service members and family, and members of the MacDill community.
The ceremony marked the end of Rogers’ command and leadership of the organization, a position he has held since October 2015.
Gen. Joseph L. Votel, the Commanding General, United States Central Command served as the guest speaker and officiated during the ceremony.
Rogers commissioned into the Army following graduation from Auburn University in 1987. He has commanded Army and Special Operations Forces at every level, from 2nd Lieutenant to his current rank, and has participated in multiple combat deployments and contingency operations across the globe.
Maj. Gen. Rogers has been nominated for the rank of lieutenant general and will serve as the Deputy, Defense Threat Reduction Agency located at Fort Belvoir, Va.
“The things you do and the professionalism with which you do them are simply amazing, and it has been my honor and absolute pleasure to serve with you,” Rogers said referencing to the SOCCENT personnel.
The incoming SOCCENT Commander, Rear Adm. Wyman Howard, was raised in a Navy Family and was influenced to join the United States Naval Academy, where he rowed on the Navy Crew Team.
He arrives takes command of SOCCENT following his most recent assignment as the Assistant Commanding General (Navy) for the Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, NC.
Howard arrives to SOCCENT with an extensive background in Special Operations, including command of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. He has conducted counter-terror and other Special Operations missions across the world. He was among the first deployed after the September 11 attacks into Afghanistan and has been consistently deployed since.
Howard finished his speech with,” I look forward to what together we will accomplish for the nation – Molon Labe!”
