Military Police contains information about military police functions in maneuver and mobility support, area security, law and order, internment/resettlement, and police intelligence operations.
Issue link: https://militarypolice.epubxp.com/i/567773
37 Fall 2015 By First Lieutenant Keslie N. Carrión "What do you mean we have to stay out here for four more days?" I could hear the disgruntled mutterings of my platoon all the way down to the quietest Soldier. We had spent more than 20 days in "The Box," where we had been attached to the 2d Brigade Combat Team, 82d Air- borne Division, during our Joint Readiness Training Center rotation at Fort Polk, Louisiana. This meant a strict meals- ready-to-eat (MRE) diet, no showers, and a lot of lost sleep. Now, 3 weeks into our training, we were told that our stay would be extended until a night vision device that had been lost by another battalion was recovered. Searching for the night vision device meant a lot of police calls up and down the drop zone under the scorching Louisiana sun. Could I keep my platoon members motivated through this unnecessary hardship for which they were not responsible? As diffcult as this was, it was far from the biggest challenge that I had faced so far. I had joined the platoon at a very unique point for a lieutenant. I had graduated from the Mil- itary Police Basic Offcer Leader Course, jumped straight into the Basic Airborne Course, and then spent about a week inprocessing at Fort Bragg, North Carolinaóafter which, I was appointed the new platoon leader, 2d Platoon, 21st Mili- tary Police Company (Airborne). A few short weeks later, I found myself leading the platoon through a simulated com- bat environment during a joint operations access exercise with the 2d Brigade Combat Team. How was I, a fresh second lieutenant with absolutely no deployments, supposed to lead veterans and instruct them in how to accomplish their missions? Clearly, they were the ones who had the real-life experience. Furthermore, our company commander had tasked us with a brigade essential mission. 2d Platoon was charged with establishing and oper- ating an evacuation control center to transport displaced ci- vilians from a war-torn country to safety. I soon learned that trusting my noncommissioned offcers (NCOs) would lead to our success. What I lacked in experience, they made up for with their input and suggestions. As I received guidance from higher echelons, I leaned on my platoon sergeant and squad leaders to formulate a plan and identify any short- comings or obstacles that we might encounter. Of course, there were hiccups. I had not seen my platoon as a whole unit before the joint operations access exercise, so matching faces to names was impossible. It's a good thing the Army uses name tapes! In addition, giving in to time constraints and briefng condensed operations orders were new to me. Throughout my training, the orders that were briefed were lengthy and detailed; however, they served to keep every Soldier informed of all the minute details that could potentially be critical to success. Stubbornly, I wanted to maintain responsibility for conducting these briefs be- cause I knew this was where I could shine. What I lacked in tactical profciency, I knew I could make up for with my strong briefng skills. But the mission tempo didn't allow for that. Not only was I required to accept the fact that hurried operations orders highlighting critical information would have to suffce, but I also realized that I needed to trust my NCOs to fll in the gaps. In time, I learned all of the platoon members' names. I found out who had a baby on the way and who actually liked the pork sausage and gravy MREs. I observed who could function on just 2 hours of sleep and who was incoherent for 15 minutes after being awakened. I was starting to under- stand my purpose as a new platoon leader. I can still recall the moment when it fnally dawned on me that I was an essential member of the team. I was brief- ing my squad leaders on how we would be conducting a route reconnaissance mission in only half an hour. I knew that, while listening to me, they were already thinking about the dozens of priorities they would need to accomplish before the mission. Nevertheless, they were as attentive as could be. I saw my spoken words transformed into written notes in their feld books. After releasing them to begin their prepa- ration, I watched as they made every effort to meet the time- line that I had set. Now, forward to that blazing day in The Box after three demanding weeks in the feld: We are hopelessly searching for a night vision device, and I can't help but smile. Yes, we are miserable. But I have sweated, lost sleep, and fought (notionally) alongside these paratroopers. We have built a connection, and I fnally feel that I can call myself a competent platoon leader. I still have a lot to learn, but I feel more confdent about my skills every day. I'm fortunate that I have a great group of NCOs who support the mission and keep the welfare of Soldiers a priority. If I'm lucky, I will get to serve a full 18 months as a platoon leader. I could not have asked for a better team with which to do that. First from Above! First Lieutenant Carrión is the platoon leader, 2d Platoon, 21st Military Police Bragg, North Carolina. She holds a bachelor's degree in international studies and political scienceówith in Virginia Military Institute.