351st MPs face unique challenge during annual training - military training exercise: Joint Readiness Training Center - Brief Article

Army Reserve Magazine, Summer, 2001 by Sergeant Lorraine Hill

FORT POLK, La.--The 351st Military Police Company, based out of Ocala, Fla., received a unique challenge this year for their annual training. They were asked to provide support in the Army's premiere role-playing exercise for light combat operations located at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC).

What makes the JRTC so challenging is its focus on reality. All soldiers are required to wear light sensitive equipment, called Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES), which picks up pulses of light generated from weapons mounted with similar equipment. This realistic training is the ultimate test of the soldiers' skills and their ability to react on the battlefield where weapons demonstrate their results via simulated injuries or death.

The 351st, along with its subordinate detachment from Jacksonville, Fla., participated in this exercise, training as they would fight on the battlefield. The Ocala MPs battlefield missions include battlefield circulation control and rear area security.

According to Sgt. 1st Class Nathaniel Mulkey, one of the unit's platoon sergeants, under the Fort Polk scenario, the 351st acts as if it was deploying to a foreign country to help provide security for a town that is under attack by hostile insurgent forces. Mulkey said, "Overall, the mission is good. We make sure the roads stay clear, the civilians are not under attack and we protect them from criminal activities similar to those that occurred in Bosnia."

At Fort Polk, the training approaches a new level in reality. Mulkey said, "Training is very realistic. We went through simulated combat attack ambushes and the stress level is very high." With a very serious look, Mulkey added, "Throughout this training a lot of people are mad at each other. What happens in real war is happening here. We're like, at each other's throats, but we are a team. We stick together. No matter what, we get out there in the dirt and we get it on."

According to Mulkey, during the annual training the soldiers learn to work together as a team. The unit was practicing infantry skills, making foxholes, establishing perimeter defenses, conducting roving patrols and using night vision devices to detect enemy activity at night.

"During this exercise, we live what we learned in common task training (CTT). We are actually doing it and not just hearing about it." Mulkey said.

This emphasis on reality training, at the JRTC, pushes the soldiers to personal levels of achievements they did not know they had. Sgt. Debra Folsom, the unit's medic, said in a tired voice, "I'm taking care of real world casualties and medical problems as well as role playing casualty scenarios."

Folsom added, "This mission pushes you to your limit. I have never experienced anything like this before. I have always admired soldiers for what they stood for. And I want to be part of that."

With just two years in the unit, Spec. Charles Callison said, "I joined because I didn't have any other choices. So I just decided to join the Army. The Army is a gift. It's changed me. I like rolling around in the dirt."

The JRTC scenario gives the unit the realistic battlefield training, they need to accomplish missions. The 351st Military Police Company was presented with and met the challenges of a training environment that is considered to be as realistically close to combat as is possible in peacetime. If called upon for deployment to a combat mission they will be ready because, according to Callison, "The training here at Fort Polk is the best training I ever had."

(Staff Sgt. Hill is with the 204th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Orlando, Fla.)