MPs train for multi-facet mission, build cohesion

By Staff Sgt. Heather A. Denby, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Public AffairsSeptember 17, 2013

MPs train for IED reaction
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. 1st Class Brian Moreno, a platoon sergeant assigned to the 512th Military Police Company, 92nd Military Police Battalion, teaches junior Soldiers of the company how to react to IEDs while training at Fort Chaffee, Ark. September 5, 2013. (Photo ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
MP Soldier conducts hasty vehicle recovery
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
MPs conduct heavy weapon gunnery
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
MPs conduct heavy weapon gunnery
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- After nearly two years of law enforcement and access control commitment here, Soldiers of the 512th Military Police Company "Titans" are certified to assume a new mission.

"The company has conducted Law Enforcement and Access Control missions for quite some time now," said Capt. Tommy Sieker, 512th Military Police Company commander. "The past six months we have shifted our focus toward Unified Land Operations with our training here at Fort Chaffee, Ark. as the culminating event."

More than 100 Soldiers assigned to the company traveled to Fort Chaffee where they conducted a Squad Training Exercise from September 3 - 13.

Sieker said that training included squad certification with training in Reacting to IEDs, Route Reconnaissance, Conducting a Hasty Check Point, and Armored Security Vehicle Gunnery.

During the STX, one squad concurrently certified in protective services using the 92nd Military Police Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bevington, as their principle.

"It is obvious that they have spent a lot of time honing their skills as a protective service detail," Bevington said. "They have conducted themselves as true professionals and never wavered no matter what change I made or issue that arose. I have total confidence in this squad's ability to provide first rate, close-in protection for any senior military or civilian official."

Four additional squads were certified for military police operations in a ULO environment during the company's time at Fort Chaffee with more than 20 Soldiers who have arrived to the unit in the past 90 days.

"It was awesome," said Pvt. Bradley Cassidy, a military police Soldier assigned to the 512th MP Co. "The training gave me an opportunity to get as close to combat as possible without actually heading downrange."

His company commander agreed and said that the training provided experience in the majority of military police tactical skills.

"It has made us a well-rounded company," Sieker said. "This off-post training has given the NCO's in the company an opportunity to build cohesion within their teams and squads without the distractions of being at home station".