FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — The U.S. Army Military Police School announced the winners of the 2023 MP Competitive Challenge Tuesday, during a ceremony in Lincoln Hall Auditorium.
This year’s winners — all stationed in Germany — included 1st Lt. Raymond Anderson, with the 527th MP Company, in the officer category; and Staff Sgt. Robelto Rose, with the 615th MP Company, and Pfc. Ryan White, with the 92nd MP Company, in the enlisted team category (one NCO, and one junior enlisted Soldier).
The three-day competition — held the week prior to the start of MP Regimental Week and the MP Corps’ 82nd birthday celebration — featured 42 MP Soldiers from 14 units at duty stations as far away as Korea, Germany and Cuba. The goal of the event was to test military expertise, physical and mental abilities and enhance esprit de corps, officials said at the awards ceremony — events this year included a physical fitness assessment, weapons qualifications, Expert Soldier Badge categories, a foot march and written exam.
USAMPS Regimental Command Sgt. Maj. William Shoaf called the MPCC “a heck of a way to kick off the 82nd anniversary of our Military Police Corps Regiment, as we recognize these amazing MP warriors today.”
“To the competitors, you should all raise your head a little higher today,” Shoaf said. “You represented your regiment, your organization, yourself, with dignity, determination and discipline. The commandant, regimental chief warrant officer and I — the entire team — are so very proud of each one of you.”
For Rose and White, who were selected by their brigade based on their successes at previous competitions, winning feels good — and having a “can’t quit mentality” was a key to their win.
“Having a can’t quit mentality, pushing past that adversity — and, honestly, just be driven to do better and want to do better, stay motivated,” Rose said.
Anderson said he wanted to win the competition for his Soldiers.
“I wanted to show my Soldiers that excellence can come from wherever, and we are that excellence,” he said.
Photos from the MPCC are available to view and download on the Fort Leonard Wood Flickr page.
The competition was a lead-up event to the week-long MP Corps 82nd birthday celebration, set to begin Monday.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “82 years devoted. Serving with dignity, determination and discipline.” According to Brig. Gen. Sarah Albrycht, USAMPS commandant, the theme was inspired by a January 1968 message to the regiment from Maj. Gen. Carl Turner, the Provost Marshal General.
“He wrote, ‘Let the record of this coming year describe our service in terms of discipline, dignity, determination and devotion. May our deeds deserve the continued confidence of our superiors, and our achievements create a solid foundation for future progress,’” Albrycht said. “This message resonated with our regimental team as we continue to message that while the Army and the Military Police Corps are transforming, our force remains steadfast in our commitment to both our profession and to our responsibility of keeping the Army running smoothly and properly while safeguarding the rights, privileges and welfare of our people.”
This year’s events include:
MP Memorial Tribute, Sept. 18: The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at Memorial Grove. The event will be livestreamed on the USAMPS Facebook page and is open to individuals with access to Fort Leonard Wood.
Regimental Bass Tournament, Sept. 19: The tournament, which begins at 5:30 a.m., will be held at Public Beach No. 2 in Osage Beach, Missouri. Cost is $25 per boat. Participants can register by emailing homr75@hotmail.com.
Regimental Ride, Sept. 19: Service members from all branches, veterans, law enforcement officers and USAMPS employees will meet at 8 a.m. at Nutter Field House for the annual regimental motorcycle ride. Email Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Hall at thomas.w.hall68.mil@army.mil to register.
Order of the Crossed Pistols, Sept. 19: An event for military spouses begins at 8 a.m. at Training Area 130 and will include activities such as the Army Combat Fitness Test, rappelling and weapons displays. Contact 1st Lt. Elias Esparza at elias.esparza2.mil@army.mil or Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Sutter at christopher.m.sutter2.mil@army.mil, or call 573.596.0350 for details or to sign up.
Airborne Operations, Sept. 19 and 20: Soldiers with the 503rd MP Battalion (Airborne), from Fort Liberty, North Carolina, will perform Airborne operations near Forney Airfield.
Regimental Fun Run, Sept. 20: Line-up for the run begins at 5:30 a.m. on Gammon Field. Uniform for military members is the Army Physical Fitness Uniform, with the regimental shirt being optional, and athletic attire for all others.
Bowling, Sept. 20: A bowling event begins at 9 a.m. at Daugherty Bowling Center. Cost is $25 per four-person team. Email Sgt. 1st Class Carl Smith at carl.a.smith92.mil@army.mil for details.
Regimental Retreat, Sept. 20: The Retreat ceremony will begin at 4:30 p.m. at the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Plaza.
Regimental Golf Tournament, Sept. 21: Tee off for the event starts at 9 a.m. at Piney Valley Golf Course. Four-person teams can sign up by contacting Rick Harne at 573.434.9642 or by email at mpra1941@gmail.com. Cost is $60 per person.
Regimental Command Sgt. Maj. James W. Frye NCO of Excellence Award ceremony, Sept. 22: The MP Corps will recognize the hard work and dedication of NCOs during a presentation at 10 a.m. in Lincoln Hall Auditorium. The event will be livestreamed on the USAMPS Facebook page. A mixer is scheduled to follow at 3 p.m. in the MP Regimental Room at the John B. Mahaffey Museum Complex.
Hall of Fame Induction, Sept. 22: Five individuals will be inducted into the MP Corps Hall of Fame, starting at 1 p.m. in Lincoln Hall Auditorium. The event will be livestreamed on the USAMPS Facebook page.
Regimental Ball, Sept. 23: The final event of the week will be held at 5 p.m. at Nutter Field House. Attire is formal. Cost is $50 per person. Email Maxane Morris at maxane.morris.civ@army.mil for details.
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