Army Maj. Gen. Randall V. Simmons, Jr. is from Statesboro, Ga. He was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant of field artillery by the Georgia Military Institute Officer Candidate School in 1992.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Georgia Southern University and a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. He is also a graduate of Harvard University’s National and International Security Seminar, the Maxwell National Security Management Course at Syracuse University, and the US-UK Rising Leader’s Forum at the National Defense University.
General Simmons’ professional military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms Staff Service School, Command and General Staff Officer Course, Paladin Commander’s Course, Maneuver Captain’s Career Course, Tactical Combat Commanders Course, Maneuver Battalion and Brigade Pre-Command Courses, Dual Status Commander’s Course, and the Joint Task Force Commander’s Course. He is also a graduate of the United States Army War College.
General Simmons’ green-tab assignments include command of Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery (Chatham Artillery). He served as commander of the 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment, while the squadron was deployed to Afghanistan in 2009-2010. In 2013, General Simmons assumed command of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and deployed to Afghanistan in 2014 as Commander of the Kabul Base Complex. From October 2017 to October 2020, General Simmons served as the Commanding General of the Georgia Army National Guard.
Key staff assignments include service as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (G1) and Chief of Staff for the Georgia Army National Guard.
General Simmons has worked on numerous strategic-level military planning committees and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Guard Association of the United States.
General Simmons’ awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (3), Bronze Star Medal (2), Meritorious Service Medal (4), the Joint Service Commendation Medal (Afghanistan), Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Hourglass, NATO Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation (2). He is authorized to wear the Combat Action Badge and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
General Simmons will assume command of Joint Task Force-North at Fort Bliss, Texas on Nov. 9, 2020. He is married to Yetive Simmons and they have two children; Callie (12) and Luke (9).