Between November 1928 and October 1929 he was retrained at the Cavalry Officers Improvement Course at Novocherkassk, and in February 1929 was appointed a riding instructor at the Frunze Military Academy, which he became a student of in April 1932.

In January 1938 he became deputy chief of the Control Group under the district military council, being awarded the Order of the Red Star a month later.

In September 1940, Simoniak, by then a colonel, became senior assistant inspector of infantry of the district, and in December became commander of the 8th Separate Rifle Brigade, stationed at the Hanko Naval Base.

As part of the 23rd and later the 55th Armies the division fought in the Sinyavino Offensive, in fierce fighting to expand a bridgehead on the eastern bank of the Tosna River.

For its actions, the 136th was converted into the 63rd Guards Rifle Division, while Simoniak was made a Hero of the Soviet Union on 10 February.

[1] As a result of his performance, Simoniak advanced to command the 30th Guards Rifle Corps, fighting in the direction of Mga and Sinyavino, in March 1943.