FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif. -- A civilian police officer in his home state of Louisiana, and an Army Reserve military police Soldier for the 441st Transportation Company in New Orleans, brings both of his worlds to the Warrior Exercise this year as a role player in detainee operations.
Spc. Elijah Rodriguez, alongside fellow reservists of the 441st TC, is working with the 530th Military Police Battalion, from Omaha, Neb., for three weeks here at Fort Hunter Liggett's Camp 8J. Rodriguez is one of many soldiers with a law enforcement background who will share his real-world experience with the rest of the team.
This is the first time that the two security units will be working with each other. The maneuver will be built into a collective task as role players enter the compound on large-scale missions.
The units face challenging scenarios, including processing female detainees and dealing with riots. "Female [Soldiers] have to work with females. There's only three of us," said Sgt. Bethany Lierman of the 530th MP Battalion. "We have to be very flexible."
She hopes to become proficient in her job while she's here and get as much training as possible. "This is where you get the meat and potatoes," said Lierman.
"Detainee operations is something of strategic importance," said Capt. Daniel Moss with the 530th MP Battalion.
Combining the two security-related units together has been helpful for the Soldiers. Their civilian jobs range from police officer to lawyer. "One of the benefits of the Reserves is that [soldiers bring] skills from the outside," Moss said.
"It's beneficial to involve all different areas of the military," said Lierman. "There's a lot you can learn from all the different [branches]."
The Soldiers are learning the proper techniques to maintain positive control in various situations. Their compound consists of a controlled entryway with areas reserved inside for detainees, enemy combatants, and displaced civilians. Their job is to safeguard them.
"You have to remain professional and treat everyone with dignity and respect," said Moss.
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