A Soldier from the 200th Military Police Command was presented one of the highest awards in the Military Police (MP) Corps.
Master Sgt. Grant Smith was awarded the Regimental Command Sergeant Major (RCSM) James W. Frye Noncomissioned Officer (NCO) of Excellence Award during a ceremony at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Sept. 22.
“It's a true honor and a very humbling experience that I was not only nominated but that I won this prestigious award,” said Smith.
“It's my hope that winning this award will shed light not only on the U.S. Army Reserve and the 200th Military Police Command but give Soldiers an insight on how successful you can be even being a Reserve Soldier."
This award recognizes two NCOs from two categories, sergeant to staff sergeant, and sergeant first class to master sergeant. The awardees are selected based on the NCOs who consistently demonstrate professionalism and dedication to the MP corps.
"[We] are super proud of the accomplishment of [Smith],” said Command Sgt. Major James Hickman, senior enlisted advisor at 304th MP Battalion, 290th MP Brigade (BDE). “He sets an example that's hard to follow and he makes us all want to do better. I'm glad that the regiment recognizes his leadership abilities. He deserves this award."
Nominees for this award were judged on their duty performance, Soldier development, leader development, significant accomplishments, military and civilian education achievements, volunteerism, and overall impact on the MP Corps.
Smith’s recent contributions to the MP Corps included creating a leadership development program tailored for MP Soldiers within his brigade and developing a fitness program that increased his unit’s overall Army Combat Fitness Test first-time pass rate to approximately 90 percent.
"Smith always goes above and beyond for Soldiers. He always goes above and beyond in everything that he does, as a person and as an individual,” said Sergeant Maj. William Angelo, who previously served as the 290th MP BDE operations senior enlisted advisor, but now serves as the Readiness Training Academy’s senior enlisted advisor at the 83rd U.S. Army Reserve Readiness Training Center.
“It's a great honor to know him and serve with him, and just to be able to call him a friend. I am very appreciative the Army is recognizing what everyone else has already seen in him. He is just an all-around outstanding NCO."
Smith enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1997. After spending six years on active duty, he then transitioned to the U.S. Army Reserve in 2003. He is currently the interim operations senior enlisted advisor for the 304th Military Police Battalion in Nashville, Tennessee.
“I believe that it's our responsibility to build and craft our own legacy and so what I want my legacy to be, " said Smith. “When it's all said and done and I throw my boots up over the wire for the last time, I want my legacy to be about building the legacies of others.”
The annual RCSM James W. Frye NCO of Excellence Award was established by the U.S. Army Military Police School in 2022 to recognize the hard work and dedication of MP NCOs.
Smith is currently the only Army Reserve Soldier authorized to wear both the Marechaussee Award and the Regimental Command Sergeant Major James W. Frye NCO of Excellence Award.
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