FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- (Sept. 20, 2012) Fort Leonard Wood is currently hosting the annual gathering of the U.S. Army's Military Police Soldiers until Saturday. This year marks the 71st Anniversary of the U.S. Army Military Police Corps Regiment.
The theme of this year's anniversary is "Balancing the Force for Decisive Action." As part of MP week, strategic and senior leaders are meeting on Fort Leonard Wood to discuss the future of the Military Police Corps.
"We have worked very hard this past year to modify the strategic narrative of our regiment," said Brig. Gen. Mark Inch, U.S. Army Military Police School commandant. "We must demonstrate to our Military Police force that there are no seams between policy and resourcing -- that is a consistent message, which is key to our approach and what we are doing."
In addition to gathering lessons learned in support of current operations and to prepare the future force, the regiment will observe the anniversary with events that motivate, celebrate, exchange knowledge and pay tribute to those who have made significant contributions to the MP Corps.
Earlier this week, the Warfighter competition wrapped up, the vendor's had their displays at Nutter Field House, and a memorial tribute was held.
"I think the memorial tribute is the most significant event. There we honor and respect the fallen Soldiers," said Command Sgt. Maj. John McNeirney, U.S. Army Military Police School Regimental command sergeant major.
Scheduled for later this week is the Hall of Fame Induction at 11 a.m. Friday at Pershing Community Center and the Hall of Fame Photo Hanging at 1:30 p.m. Friday in the John B. Mahaffey Museum Complex.
Many are looking forward to the MP Regimental Ball as well. It will include special recognition and presentation of campaign medals to America's oldest known living Military Police Army veteran, Gene "Tex" Stephens who was inducted into the Army January 1941, and served in World War II.
Stephens conducted motorcycle escort services and other security duties for dignitaries, including Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, Frank Sinatra and President Franklin Roosevelt.
Military Police conduct policing, security, and detention operations across the range of military operations to support protection, to enable mobility and to promote the rule of law. The three primary Military Occupational Specialties are: 31B, Military Police; 31D, Criminal Investigations; and 31E, Corrections
Specialist.
Next week's GUIDON will have a complete wrap up of the anniversary events, the Warfighter competition and a story highlighting Stephens receiving his long overdue medals.
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