DCMA South cheers Rocket City diamond experience

DCMA South cheers Rocket City diamond experience

By Army Lt. Col. Janessa Moyer DCMA Tennessee River Valley

Defense Contract Management Agency South personnel recently traded their cubicles for stadium seats for an unforgettable team-building event at a local minor league baseball stadium July 24.

The outing brought together members of DCMA South with key mission partners from across the agency and their families. Team members from the Cost and Pricing Command, the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, and the Missiles Rocket Center joined DCMA South and the executive director for Geographic Systems & Support Command, Dr. Juanita Christensen, to enjoy the classic American pastime. Overall, 40 agency employees and their family members watched the Rocket City Trash Pandas take on the Knoxville Smokies.

DCMA South is a key element within GSS, which became operational Oct. 6, 2025, as part of the DCMA Vision restructuring plan. DCMA South maintains two tertiary commands - DCMA Tennessee River Valley and DCMA Red River.

The event underscored the critical importance of team building and workforce well-being. By stepping outside the traditional office environment, employees connected on a personal level, enhancing comradery and strengthening unit cohesion. The game also provided a relaxed environment to engage with and celebrate the local community that supports the DCMA mission year-round.

The highlight of the night occurred before the game. Army Col. Ryan Ocampo, the outgoing commander of DCMA South, threw out the first ceremonial pitch at Toyota Field. As the crowd cheered, Ocampo, a 26-year veteran, was officially recognized on the field as the Thompson Tractor Community Hero. The honor recognizes individuals who positively impact their local community. Ocampo relinquished command July 30. The new DCMA South commander is Army Col. Christee Cuttino.

The community recognition and the honorary pitch served as a fitting and celebratory culmination of Ocampo's three-year tour. It highlighted his leadership and dedication to the agency's mission and his commitment to the people who make that mission possible.

"The baseball game provided a great opportunity for contract management office personnel to come together, celebrate Col. Ocampo's well-deserved recognition for his outstanding service as a warfighter, and reflect on the importance of our shared mission," said Scott Demartelaere, a quality assurance supervisor from DCMA Tennessee River Valley. "This event reinforced the pride that we have in performing our duties to protect our nation and ensure that our warfighters receive safe, effective and conforming products that provide the capabilities they need to accomplish their mission."

For the workforce of DCMA South and their mission partners, the night at the ballpark proved the strongest teams are built both in the office and out in the community.

"Great people, great food, great fun," said Logan Beane, the deputy commander of DCMA Tennessee River Valley. "I loved seeing all our families together. Nights like this are rare in DCMA, but they really shouldn't be."

There are approximately 370 employees in DCMA South located in seven states. Office personnel perform contract administration activities in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama. DCMA South ensures the nation's defense industrial base delivers quality, on-time capabilities while providing crucial insight throughout the Department of War to sustain readiness, enhance deterrence and preserve the strength of America's warfighters.

DCMA South manages more than 21,000 contracts and provides services to over 1,100 contractor locations. Its portfolio supports major weapon systems within missiles and munitions, fixed wing and vertical lift aircraft, NASA, land systems, ships, and radars and sensors platforms. Some of the programs include the F-35 Lightning II, C-130 Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, UH-60 Black Hawk, CH-47 Chinook, Patriot missile, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System, Bradley Fighting Vehicle, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle, Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle, Space Launch System, and the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System.

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