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Frontier Brigade Conducts Change of Command Ceremony
By Capt. Alexis Gonzales Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade, 104th Training Division (Leader Training)
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FORT KNOX, Ky. – Col. James W. Waldrop took command of 1st Brigade (commonly known as the Frontier Brigade), 104th Training Division (Leader Training) on July 2, 2022 at the General George Patton Museum at Fort Knox. He was preceded by Col. Mark P. Dedrick, who served as the 1st Brigade Commander from November 2020 – July 2022.
In attendance at the ceremony was Maj. Gen. Andrew J. Juknelis, commanding general of the 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training). Also in attendance were four of the five 1st Brigade battalion commanders and key brigade staff.
Brig. Gen. Rodney J. Fischer, then commanding general of the 104th, presided over the ceremony.
Col. Jim Waldrop, right, incoming commander of 1st Brigade, 104th Division (LT), receives the unit colors from Brig. Gen. Rodney J. Fischer, the 104th Division (LT) commanding general, during a change of command ceremony July 2 at the General George Patton Museum of Leadership, Fort Knox, Ky. During the ceremony outgoing commander Col. Mark P. Dedrick relinquished command of 1st Brigade to Col. Waldrop. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Master Sgt. Ryan C. Matson)
Cpl. Cassidy Reagan holds the unit colors during the 1st Brigade, 104th Division (LT) change of command ceremony July 2 in the General George Patton Museum of Leadership, Fort Knox, Ky. During the ceremony outgoing commander Col. Mark P. Dedrick relinquished command of 1st Brigade to Col. Jim Waldrop. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Master Sgt. Ryan C. Matson) Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Renfrow, 1st Brigade, 104th Division (LT) command sergeant major, right, hands the unit colors to Col. Mark P. Dedrick, 1st Brigade, 104th Division (LT) outgoing commander, during a change of command ceremony July 2 at the General George Patton Museum of Leadership, Fort Knox, Ky. During the ceremony outgoing commander Col. Dedrick relinquished command of 1st Brigade to Col. Jim Waldrop. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Master Sgt. Ryan C. Matson)
From left, Brig. Gen. Rodney J. Fischer, 104th Division (LT) commanding general, Col. Mark P. Dedrick, 1st Brigade, 104th Division (LT) outgoing commander, Col. Jim Waldrop, incoming commander of 1st Brigade, 104th Division (LT), and Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Renfrow, 1st Brigade, 104th Division (LT) command sergeant major, march into a change of command ceremony July 2 at the General George Patton Museum of Leadership, Fort Knox, Ky. During the ceremony outgoing commander Col. Dedrick relinquished command of 1st Brigade to Col. Waldrop. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Master Sgt. Ryan C. Matson)
In his speech, Fischer discussed the importance of the mission of 1st Brigade in “developing the next generation of leaders for the Army through its three Cadet Summer Training battalions and two Senior ROTC battalions.” He commended Dedrick for his exemplary planning and preparation, as well as navigating the unknown territory of COVID-19 and new mission requirements that arose during his time in command.
Fischer also highlighted Col. Dedrick’s reputation for developing his subordinates, asserting that “Col. Dedrick’s command legacy is his mentorship of the soldiers in his command.” He ended his remarks welcoming Waldrop to the team, stating his confidence in his experience and leadership skills to achieve continued mission success for 1st Brigade.
In his speech, Col. Dedrick thanked his family, his staff, his command teams, and the Soldiers of 1st Brigade for the dedication and support they gave during his tenure. He emphasized the importance of Mission Command, and how he saw that play out during his time with 1st Brigade. “At the core to Mission Command, in my opinion, is having implicit
Col. Jim Waldrop, incoming commander of 1st Brigade, 104th Division (LT), speaks during the 1st Brigade, 104th Division (LT) change of command ceremony July 2 at the General George Patton Museum of Leadership, Fort Knox, Ky. During the ceremony outgoing commander Col. Mark P. Dedrick relinquished command of 1st Brigade to Col. Waldrop. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Master Sgt. Ryan C. Matson)
trust and confidence up and down the chain,” he stated. And then further explained that this applies to both commanders and to staff alike.
Gaining, maintaining, and leveraging trust are critical to mission success. Dedrick believed that it was because of this trust that 1st Brigade was able to superbly execute mission command over the two years that he was in command. He closed his speech saying, “you have leveraged mission command and executed this brigade’s missions with aplomb, assuring we are a decisive resource to the United States Army Cadet Command.”
Dedrick will continue to be a part of the 108th Training Command as he moves into the role of chief of staff for the 108th.
The Soldiers, staff, and commanders of 1st Brigade bid a fond farewell to Dedrick and thanked him for his dedication to the brigade over the past two years. They also give a warm welcome to Waldrop and look forward to seeing continued mission success under his leadership.
Waldrop joins 1s Brigade having previously served as the assistant chief of staff, G4, for the 76th Operational Response Command. He thanked Fischer for his warm welcome and Dedrick for his smooth hand off. He also thanked the Soldiers of 1st Brigade for their duty and patriotism.
Waldrop shared how his Army career had come full circle, standing at the General George Patton Museum. “I started my Army professional career right here on Fort Knox, 28 years ago, where I attended the Cadet Basic Course. A lot has changed since then, but what hasn’t changed is the Cadet Command’s core mission to recruit, educate, develop, and inspire cadets in order to commission officers of character for the total Army.”
