Military Police battle for spot in annual competition

By Ms. Trecia Wilson (IMCOM)August 6, 2009

Military Police battle for spot in annual competition
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pfc. Ruben Orosco, 1st Platoon, 630th Military Police Company, won a place on the 2009 Warfighter Competition Team. He is one of five Soldiers from U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg, Germany, who will represent the 793rd MP Battalion in the annual MP endura... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Military Police battle for spot in annual competition
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. James Bone, 2nd Platoon, 630th Military Police Company, won a place on the 2009 Warfighter Competition Team. He is one of five Soldiers from U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg, Germany, who will represent the 793rd MP Battalion in the annual MP enduranc... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAMBERG, Germany -- Members of the 630th Military Police Company at U.S Army garrison bamberg competed in Schweinfurt for an opportunity to represent the 793rd Military Police Battalion at the preeminent endurance competition for military police and criminal investigators.

The Warfighter Competition, an annual event at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., is in its 13th year of existence and is one of the most rigorous competitions in the military police field.

Five noncommissioned officers and 16 enlisted Soldiers put themselves to the test when trying to become members of an elite team that will go head-to-head against other teams Armywide Sept. 15-19.

After checking in and receiving an in-brief, the Soldiers prepared for two days of challenges. These Soldiers prepared for the rigors of this event in their own fashion. Pfc. Travis Price and Pfc. Patrick Sudduth took time to study skill level one manuals while others took a more meditative approach, spending time by themselves or resting.

Day 1 started with a modified Army Physical Fitness Test that included push-ups, sit-ups and running.

"Physical endurance is a big part of this competition along with fortitude," said 1st Sgt. Thomas Buettner of the 630th MP Company.

The competition continued with a series of hands-on Army Warrior Tasks. Station 1 tested their knowledge of weapons and safety checks on hand grenades. Each Soldier received a go or no-go score sheet out of the Army Warrior Task Manual.

Station 2 was a radio communication station. Soldiers put a man-pack Single-Channel Ground-Air Radio System into operation and loaded it with Traffic Encryption Key so enemies cannot eavesdrop on transmissions. Once completed, they transmitted a nine-line report to show their knowledge of patient evacuation procedures.

The next station was a series of medical tasks designed to test a Soldier's ability to save lives on the battlefield.

"These tasks were extremely challenging and included treating casualties for gunshot wounds as well as applying intravenous lines in patients," said Buettner.

"When they ran out of arms to stick," he said, "one Soldier applied an IV to another Soldier's foot."

After the hands-on testing, it was back to physical challenges. The Soldiers ran through the obstacle course comprised of 24 obstacles extending one-quarter mile.

The last event for the day was a cross-country run through Schweinfurt's local training area. The route was 5.2 miles, but the Soldiers had no clue how far the route was which makes it more challenging.

Sgt. Craig Williams, 2nd Platoon, finished in 48 minutes.

After the run, the Soldiers were transported back to the living area to get some much needed rest for Day 2.

Day 2 kicked off with what the Soldiers had been told was a 12-mile ruck march. The march turned out to be 13 miles and had water hazards and a variety of tasks the Soldiers had to complete, including carrying loaded ammo cans.

At the halfway point of the march, competitors had to wade across a small pond and then climb a hill.

The shooting ranges were the final stage of the competition. Soldiers were supplied 30 rounds per weapon and had to shoot from the supported, unsupported and kneeling positions. They ended with the M9 pistol and a protective mask.

"It's the hardest competition an MP can go through," said Buettner, who has competed twice in this event.

"This is a win-win competition," said Buettner, "because Soldiers who compete in this event walk away with a greater understanding of the challenges of battle.

"The units end up with a better Soldier too, because they come back to their unit and train their fellow Soldiers on the skills they learned," he said.

Sgt. Craig Williams and Spc. James Bone from 2nd Platoon, and Pfc. Ruben Orosco, 1st Platoon, came out on top and will represent the 793rd MP Battalion at the 2009 Warfighter Competition at Fort Leonard Wood.

Pfc. Patrick Sudduth and Pfc. Travis Price will attend the event as alternates and will compete only if one of the primary team members get hurt during the event.

"We train Monday through Saturday, doing physical training twice a day," said Williams.

They are also taking medical training, a weapons refresher course, primary vehicle maintenance checks and improving their weapons qualification scores.

Staff Sgt. John McVey, 630th MP Company, who has won the Warfighter Competition twice, is training the five finalists for the event.

"The most challenging aspect of the event is endurance. Going the distance on the 15-mile ruck march and the 6-mile run," said McVey.

Orosco said his biggest challenge is that, "you are flying in the dark on most of the competition."

"You have no idea what to expect," he said.

"This is an opportunity only a few people get," said Williams, who will lead the team at the event. "I'm grateful to have the chance to represent our battalion in such a prestigious competition."

"My advice to these guys is to train as hard as you can and give it everything you have," McVey said, "because you don't want to look back and think that you didn't give it your all."