Regimental Command Sergeant Major - Brief Article

Military Police, May, 2000 by Harold L. Burleson

As a reminder, General Eric K. Shinseki, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, has described his Strategic Vision for the Army in the New Millennium! In October 1999, I had the distinct privilege of being one of many leaders present at the Association of the United States Army's annual convention in Washington, D.C., where I heard the presentation of this vision in public for the first time. It became very clear to those present that we are the Army's Force of Choice. The Chief of Staff ensured that everyone understood that the military police are present across the full spectrum of operations.

We are blessed to possess the technical knowledge for the preparation of our military police soldiers for full-spectrum duties. And now, we are nestled into the new home of the MP Corps Regiment at the Maneuver Support Center (MANSCEN), Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Graduations have taken place, and new cycles of classes and courses are settling in. I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting the students and discussing their observations about our new buildings and facilities. I appreciate their open and honest comments during these discussions and still want each graduate to feel free to send back any observations he or she may have in mind. Our USAMPS Web site may be found on the MANSCEN home page: http://www.wood.army.mil.

Needless to say, we will eventually, through our high-technology Classroom 21, be able to confer with our graduates and share information face to face from a worldwide distance.

We are making fast progress with the new editions of our military police field manuals and other required publications, which are a dream come true. The greatest achievement is that many of these new publications may be found online, which will also afford our soldiers and leaders the opportunity to download and work with the information online, anytime and anywhere. This will be a big plus for ready references as training aids or purely in preparation for personal and performance counseling as well as self-development sessions. If this sounds like we expect all soldiers to be literate or somewhat familiar with computers and software products, that is absolutely correct. As a matter of fact, the Army has made great progress in assisting soldiers to learn how to use these tools. The classes are free of charge and normally require a few minutes a day to accomplish the tasks. Online, the students are able to review previous information or pick up the pace towards completing the lessons if they so desire. So keep your eyes and ears attuned to the latest developments for computers in our warfighting and law-enforcement vehicles.

As the Army continues to operate across a full spectrum of peace, conflict, and war, we will be "Wheeling Forward" into a new millennium, able to actively communicate with our forces in the air and on land and sea. The USAMPS will continue in its endeavor to be the best in the business of providing outstanding institutional support to our Military Police Corps Regiment, the Force of Choice.

Of the Troops Born, For the Troops Formed! Always ready and willing to Assist, Protect, Defend!

Regimental Command Sergeant Major U.S. Army Military Police School Commando Sergeant Major Harold L. Burleson