28 • THE GRIFFON • Fall 2021
New Battalion Commander Goes From Being Pushed to Pushing at USMA By Capt. Christian Venhuizen Public Affairs Office 104th Training Division (LT)
WEST POINT, N.Y. — Lt. Col. McKinley Wood toured the U.S. Military Academy, his alma mater, with his chain of command. His reception day (R-Day to the cadets) was 20 years ago, before he stepped on the battlefield as an armor lieutenant. Before his significant awards and citations, and before he knew that the 3rd Battalion, 304th Regiment, provided a broad range of support for the cadets and the school. This R-day during the summer of 2021 was different.The fresh class of cadets were now being aided by McKinley’s Soldiers in the halls that first introduced them to the Army way of life.Another section of his battalion was also busy with the summer training of more seasoned cadets. This was his new mission. “To assume the command of the reserve battalion that is responsible for training West Point cadets is more than what I thought the Army could give me,” he said.“It is a true honor and to do a mission that I actually experienced as a cadet, in charge of it, is more than words can describe for me.” The mission is one that is designed to help combatants face the complexity that a 21st Century battlefield presents. “The expectation is to go where they may not have gone before for training for West Point cadets,” said Wood.“I sat through a briefing today in which the training and the expectations for the cadets that are coming in now are far exceeding
what I had to go through and that will translate to what we have to offer and what we have to offer West Point. My expectation is to think about the things that are good to do, but we could never do because of resources or training or whatever and let’s try to do that.We don’t know what we are capable of if we don’t try it.” Then there are classic challenges and relationship building that are fundamental skills for officers. “The cadets who are out there who don’t get enough interaction with NCOs and Soldiers—we need to show them what right looks like and we need to show them how to develop a rapport with the noncommissioned officer corps and teach them the critical skills, combat skills, individual skills that we train,” said Col.William Bundy, commander of the 104th Training Division’s 2nd Brigade that oversees the 3-304th. The company trains cadets on skills like crew served weapons and hand grenades, but they also serve as the cadet’s first real exposure to noncommissioned officers and junior enlisted Soldiers. “When I entered the training world, it was a different type of Soldier, a different type of excellence but that excellence is what the foundation of the Army is built on,”Wood said.“People that are confident in their jobs and this is probably the top of the training, honestly.You are teaching West Point cadets how to lead Soldiers and other officers into battle that is the bottom line.” When Wood finished his active duty requirement as an armor officer, he joined the Army National
Army Brig. Gen. Rodney Fischer, left, commander of the Army Resreve’s 104th Training Division, and Col. William Bundy, commander of 2nd Brigade, 104th Training Division, tour areas of the U.S. Military Academy that their Soldiers are supporting, June. 26, 2021. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Christian Venhuizen)
Army Lt. Col. Andy Craven, right, receives a meritorious service medal from Maj. Gen. Andrew Juknelis, commanding general of the 108th, for his service and leadership as battalion commander of the 3rd Battalion, 304th Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 104th Training Division, 108th Training Command, as Craven comes out of command June 24, 2021, at the U.S. Military Academy. The battalion provides direct support to the USMA. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Christian Venhuizen)
Army Lt. Cols. Andy Craven, left, and McKinley Wood jointly cut the cake celebrating the change of command from Craven to Wood for the 3rd Battalion, 304th Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 104th Training Division, JUne 24, 2021. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Christian Venhuizen)
