Sgt. Michael Wood welcomed home at Christian Liberty Academy
Thursday, December 10, Christian Liberty Academy had the honor of welcoming back its very own alumnus, Sergeant Michael Wood, USMC. While a student at the school, Sergeant Wood participated in several sports as well as theatre, and he went on to graduate in 2011. Then, in the fall after graduation, Sgt. Wood left for boot camp.
He was awarded honor graduate of boot camp and was promoted to Private First Class meritoriously. Sgt. Wood went on to attend the School of Infantry, and then later, he moved on to the Advanced Infantry Light Armored Reconnaissance Crewman's Course in Camp Pendleton, California, was awarded Top Crew in his graduating class, and received orders to 2D Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion in June of 2012. A few months later, he was promoted to Lance Corporal, and two months after that, became a Marine Corps Rescue Swimmer. In January 2015, he became certified as an LAV Crewman Evaluator. Then, in the following month, he was promoted to his current title of Sergeant.
From February to October of 2014, Sergeant Michael Wood was deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. He served as a faculty advisor for five Lance Corporal Seminars and was awarded Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter in the 2D Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, NCO of the Quarter in the 2nd Marine Division, and Military Member of the Month by the Jacksonville, NC, Chamber of Commerce. Sergeant Wood was honorably discharged on October 25, 2015.
Along with these awards, Sgt. Wood received many medals and certificates. Those include: the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, two Certificates of Commendation, and other certificates for excellence in physical fitness.
When Sgt. Wood came back to CLA, he was greeted by current students, faculty, and staff, and escorted by Warriors' Watch Riders. At the event, veterans were asked to stand in recognition, including Sgt. Wood's father, 1st Sgt. Patrick Wood, who served for twenty-four years. Sergeant Michael Wood presented a speech to the assembly, expressing his gratitude towards his former school, and others also addressed Sgt. Wood and thanked him for his service and gave him well wishes as he looks forward to going back to school to become a high school math teacher. The ceremony ended with a small reception downstairs that included Sgt. Michael Wood and his parents, Pat and Liz Wood.