U.S. Army Garrison Benelux - Schinnen military police participated in international joint service patrols at Camp Heumensoord in Nijmegen, Netherlands, July 15-22, during the annual Nijmegen 4 Day Marches. The mission allowed Soldiers to work alongsi...
U.S. Army Garrison Benelux - Schinnen military police participated in international joint service patrols at Camp Heumensoord in Nijmegen, Netherlands, July 15-22, during the annual Nijmegen 4 Day Marches. The mission allowed Soldiers to work alongs...
CHIÈVRES, Belgium (July 27, 2017) -- U.S. Army Garrison Benelux-Schinnen Soldiers participated in international joint service patrols for the Nijmegen 4 Day Marches in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, July 17 to 22. The Soldiers worked alongside military police from the United Kingdom, Netherlands and Germany to provide security for one of the largest walking events in the world.
The Nijmegen March is an annual event where civilian participants from all over the world walk about 30, 40 or 50 kilometers per day over four consecutive days. Military participants walk about 40 kilometers per day wearing their uniform and carry at least 10 kilograms of marching weight. Participants walk with military marching teams, formed of the Swiss Army, French Police, Marine's and the British Bobbies, in Dutch villages and towns.
The famous march draws over 40,000 participants each year, making it known as "The Walk of the World," according to its official website. Behind the scenes of the popular event is security comprised of international military police to ensure the participants' safety as they trek long distances.
24-hour shifts
The Soldiers arrived at Camp Heumensoord in Nijmegen July 15 to begin their mission. The camp served as a place exclusively for military participants in the march as well as military security personnel. At the camp, they worked with military police officers from other nations. They were involved in 24-hour shifts and conducted walking and biking patrols. The MPs assisted in areas such as traffic enforcement, control and signage.
After the week-long mission, Sgt. 1st Class Jesse Shambo, provost sergeant for operations at USAG Benelux, found the experience to be beneficial to his career as he learned from his counterparts in the camp.
"Working alongside the other international MPs [military police] broaden my spectrum of being a MP as I learned how other nations' MP operated," said Shambo.
He also added that the event helped build partnerships with their MP counterparts.
"Living in quarters of only international MPs helped build trust amongst ourselves as well as boosted morale. The willingness to help each other out made the mission run effective and smooth," he said.
The 2018 race will take place in July. To learn more about the "Walk of the World," visit http://walkthewalk.org/chal-lenges/the-nijmegen-4-day-marches-2018.
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