FORT BENNING, Ga. — Family, friends and Soldiers from the 98th Training Division (Initial Entry Training) welcomed their new commanding general, Brig. Gen. Tony Wright, and bid a fond farewell to their out-going commander, Brig. Gen. Miles A. Davis, during a Change of Command Ceremony on July 13 at the National Infantry Museum’s Inouye Field.
Davis, a Livonia, Michigan resident, took command of the 98th Training Division in September 2016. While in command of more than 2300 U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers spread across 20 states, Davis raised the readiness level across the Division, said the 108th Training Command’s (IET) Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Kate Leahy, who presided over the ceremony. “Miles, you mentored commanders from company through brigade level, and set the example for physical fitness, professional competence and selfless service.”
In fact, Leahy said Davis had been so successful in getting results that it earned him his next position. “Evidence of this is the fact he’s been selected for a critically important Active Duty assignment [Assistant to the Deputy Commanding General of Readiness] at the U.S. Army Reserve Command headquarters at Fort Bragg, where he will be in charge of working with all Army Reserve command teams to improve readiness levels across our 200,000-Soldier force.”
With that, Leahy turned to her new Division commander. Though she had just met Wright the day prior to the ceremony, she said she could easily see from his military biography that he was familiar with the Command. “As I was scanning his assignment history, I noticed he was no stranger to the 108th Training Command.”
Over the years, Wright, a Henryetta, Oklahoma resident, served in a number of roles in the 108th Training Command (IET) as well as in the 95th Training Division (IET), which is a sister division to the 98th Training Division (IET). As he was clearly well versed in the command and how it worked, Leahy turned to Wright and said, “So Tony, it’s a great pleasure to say simply, welcome back home. We have been waiting for you!”
Wright, who comes from the 88th Readiness Division in Fort McCoy, Wisconsin where he served as the Deputy Commanding General for the Troop Program Unit, then took the podium stating he was looking forward to continue the great tradition of success at the 98th Training Division (IET). “I am open to new ideas and enjoy developing innovative ways to solve challenges so we can get after readiness while accomplishing our training mission.”
Of course, no mission can be accomplished without Soldiers and Wright expressed his goal of fostering a healthy work-life balance for those Iroquois Warriors. “I enjoy getting to know Soldiers and how the Army fits into their lives. I also enjoy building teams, cohesion and trust, and being part of the team. I will develop clear intent and priorities so leaders, at all levels, can have confidence in making decisions within their lanes,” stated Wright looking over to the troops in formation. “We do a very important job turning citizens into Soldiers and I look forward to serving with you.”