Delaware National GuardMPs keep new soldier training strong
By Master Sgt. Beth Simmons, 2nd Bn, 722 Troop Command
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Staff Sgt. John Clancy (second from right), Detachment Sergeant, 153rd Military Police (Combat Support) Rear Detachment, briefs Lt. Col. Robert Davis (far right), Commander, 722nd Troop Command, on the unit's operations. Master Sgt. Beth Simmons and 2nd Lt. Stephen Douglas (far left) listen in on the briefing. Photo by Officer Candidate Deborah Welch. |
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Spc. William Morse, 153rd Military Police, Rear Detachment, provides operational security at the front gate to the New Castle Rifle Range (NCRR) located on River Road. Photo by Officer Candidate Deborah Welch. |
Enlisting after the 153rd Military Police (Combat Support) parent unit had already deployed, three prior-service MP sergeants were very, very busy this drill. While responsible for security teams on patrol and controlling access to the entire NCRR training site, Sgts. Greg Parton, Joe Thomas, and Darin Lorenzen provided training for their unit and the 287th Army Band in its secondary mission of rear area security. The entire Band had training on properly searching vehicles, patrolling, and controlling an access point. Then they set their training into action when the Band members supplemented the MPs on the NCRR gate.
The 153rd Military Police (Combat Support) Rear Detachment consists mainly of soldiers who were at Basic and Advanced Individual Training when the parent unit deployed in August 2002. These soldiers have since completed their initial training and have returned to home station at the Delaware City Readiness Center. Now each month these soldiers train on tasks such as site security, controlling an access point, and searching vehicles. This month was no exception and provided the MPs with an opportunity to put all their training into action.
"It’s more than just ‘gate guard.’ We have a tasking to keep everyone in the compound safe, which is a huge responsibility on our shoulders." said Sgt. Darin Lorenzen, who served as an MP on active duty in Germany, Korea, and Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. during his eight years of prior service.
These NCOs have the job of training & sustaining the "fresh from Advanced Individual Training (AIT)" soldiers. This training is vital in order to smoothly transition and integrate these troops into the company when the parent unit returns from deployment.
MPs on patrol: Team conducts realistic recovery training