Army MPs Train For Stability Operations On The Streets Of America
BY Herschel Smith
8 years, 2 months ago
Since 2002, military police, like many specialties across the Army, had to adapt to serve the mission on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Investigations and community relations took a backseat to foot patrols and base security. The wide-range of abilities military police are capable of narrowed so they could face the challenges at hand.
Soldiers and Airmen from Joint Base Lewis-McChord had an opportunity to get back to basics during civil disturbance training on the installation Jan. 25 to Feb. 4 to face those shifting challenges.
“Our MPs could be called out on a variety of situations,” said Sgt. 1st Class Steven Ketchum, an instructor with the 14th Military Police Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. “National Guard MPs got called out in Ferguson (Missouri) and during other civil disturbances. Units don’t train civil-stability operations as much as they could.”
The Missouri National Guard mobilized 2,200 Guardsmen to keep the peace during rioting in Ferguson in the fall of 2014. Likewise, 3,000 Guardsmen were mobilized to assist Baltimore police last spring.
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For a long time, Soldiers were trained to see the battlefield in stark terms — friendlies and enemies. Recent civil disturbances have exposed the limitations of that philosophy.
While preparing for Ferguson, National Guard briefings referred to citizens on the ground as “enemy forces” and “adversaries.” The Missouri National Guard corrected course, but they struggled to overcome the perception of being hostile occupiers as opposed to peacekeepers.
“We are helping to keep everyone safe, whether they’re rioting or not,” Loxsom said.
MPs learned many lessons from deployments around the world. Staying strong in the face of adversity, operating in difficult environments, and remaining flexible to meet the mission are hard-won traits that have become part of their DNA.
As the Army’s focus adapts to a changing security environment, MPs are changing with it. They are finding their future by getting back to basics.
Be sure to hear the nuance in the article. “Enemy forces.” Not good. Need better PR. Call them “everyone,” and tell them you want what’s good for them. Call us “peacekeepers.” The “future” of Army MPs is getting back to the “basics,” by which they mean stability operations. Not breaking up fights between drunken Soldiers, but stability on the streets of America.
The times they are a changin’.
On February 15, 2016 at 8:00 am, RM said:
The photo shows a soldier’s ass framed between two riot shields. Can you please explain the tactical significance of the ass protecting formation being rehearsed in the photo and when this formation would be deployed against protesters, rioters or innocents?
On February 15, 2016 at 2:27 pm, Billy Mullins said:
There’s an asshole in every crowd.
On February 15, 2016 at 6:37 pm, Herschel Smith said:
Yea, this looks rather weird. I noticed that before I posted it, but it is what it is. You’d have to ask the NG MPs who were doing this. I’m not sure I want to know the answer.
On February 15, 2016 at 8:24 pm, Billy Mullins said:
Erm, wasn’t there a scene in “Braveheart” that explained such an activity?
On February 15, 2016 at 9:04 pm, Steady Steve said:
Probably dropped his rifle
On February 15, 2016 at 2:21 pm, Billy Mullins said:
Why am I not surprised? Chilled; but not the least bit surprised.
On February 15, 2016 at 2:26 pm, Fred said:
“…Units don’t train civil-stability operations as much as they could.”
They “could” also hunt gophers but what NEED is there for the hunting of small mammals by the National Guard? Could. Should. Might. May. Shall. Must. Why train for it if the threshold of NEED is merely “could”. Gophers don’t generally present a threat of the magnitude that “could” call for military action but people do present a NEED that “shall” or “must” be addressed. Yup, we’re still the enemy! A national government that claims responsibility for your individual safety has designs all together different. Governments keep individuals safe until they no longer have a NEED for them.
On February 15, 2016 at 2:32 pm, Billy Mullins said:
Two words just popped into my head. “Posse Comitatus”
(isn’t that still the law of the land?)
An observation: The only “peace” which armed forces can truly keep is the peace of the grave.
On February 15, 2016 at 2:42 pm, bondmen said:
Stability Ops pretext results from instability policies, purposeful or not, emanating in District of Corruption. The great underminer still inhabits the White House and he has many acolytes and helpers.
On February 15, 2016 at 2:43 pm, Herschel Smith said:
That’s an awesome phrase … “District of Corruption.” I will unashamedly steal it and use it myself.
On February 15, 2016 at 8:22 pm, Billy Mullins said:
I prefer “Mordor on the Potomac” m’self.
For Chi Town I rather like “Isengard on the Lake”.
On February 15, 2016 at 8:22 pm, Billy Mullins said:
“District of Criminals” fits, too.
On February 15, 2016 at 2:52 pm, SheepDog said:
You should research the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which, last I recall “empowers the Armed Forces to engage in civilian law enforcement and to selectively suspend due process and habeas corpus, as well as other rights guaranteed by the 5th and 6th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, for terror suspects apprehended on U.S. soil”.
Don’t let the “for terror suspects…” wording fool you. Any of us can be labeled terrorists.
On February 15, 2016 at 7:18 pm, TimeHasCome said:
With 6 million firearms sold in the last two months those shields built by Mattel won’t stop a bullet . The reason to show the mans backside is because that is how we will recognize Obama’s thugs running away.
On February 17, 2016 at 11:14 pm, Cowboy Dan said:
Hopefully they’ll drop their weapons as they run. They used to be called ARVN specials, “Never been fired, only been dropped once.”
If they’re dropped by .gov forces, what should we call them? Maybe they’ll just leave their loaded magazines. We all need extra ammo, right?
On February 18, 2016 at 12:53 am, Phud Ogg said:
Well, some training would be good. I remember reading about the National Guard who got mobilized for the LA riots, not issued live rounds, who were simply out-manuevered by the mobs, and as ineffective as the LAPD, who stopped going into most of South Central LA after day one.
Only a couple weeks later when the Marines sent a light battalion up from Camp Pendleton, fully armed, did calm return. I am sure that was purely coincidental.
Go Navy (and Marines), Beat Army!