Regimental Command Sergeant Major
By CSM Shawn A. Klosterman
| Military Police, 2023 Edition
Read Time: < 5 mins
Military Police Corps: I want to start by thanking the entire team for everyone’s exceptional efforts. I have loved serving our Corps as the 15th Regimental Command Sergeant Major. I look forward to my new position as the next Provost Marshal General and U.S. Army Corrections Command Sergeant Major. This is not a goodbye, but rather a “See you soon.” I hope that I served this team just as you all have served our Corps daily. Our Corps is small but dynamic. Our accomplishments as a team keep Army leaders informed and validate us as the force of choice. The U.S. Army Military Police School (USAMPS) Commandant, Regimental Chief Warrant Officer, and I are incredibly proud of you all. Please keep demonstrating the finest qualities of excellence as you Assist, Protect, and Defend. Additionally, I want to welcome Command Sergeant Major William M. Shoaf as the 16th Regimental Command Sergeant Major of our Corps. He is a phenomenal leader who will serve our Corps with honor, integrity, and respect.
September will be a busy month here at the home of the Regiment, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. In celebration of the 82d Military Police Corps anniversary, we will conduct a full complement of events. We will start with the Military Police Competitive Challenge, which involves individual officers and two-person non-commissioned officer (NCO)/Soldier teams. Next, we will execute a senior-leader forum with senior-leader participants from across the globe. The official anniversary week activities will also include a memorial tribute, bass fishing tournament, motorcycle mentorship ride, bowling tournament, presentation of the Regimental Command Sergeant Major James W. Frye (Retired) NCO of Excellence Award, Military Police Regimental Association-sponsored 5-kilometer fun run, Regimental retreat, honors ceremony, and Regimental Ball. We plan to carry on the standards from last year, when events were held in packed auditoriums with standing room only. Our goal for attendance at the Regimental Ball this year is more than 741 Soldiers, leaders, Families, and guests. Our people always show up and show out for our Corps!
We have recently updated USAMPS Regulation 870-1, Military Police Corps Honors Program,1to ensure that we create opportunities to recognize outstanding members of our Regiment. The update provides information on the administration and governance of the Military Police Corps Regimental Association (MPRA) Honors Program, consisting of the Hall of Fame; the Distinguished Members of the Corps; the Regimental Honorary Colonel, Honorary Warrant Officer, and Honorary Sergeant Major Awards; and the Regimental Command Sergeant Major James W. Frye (Retired) NCO of Excellence Award. The main goal of this update is to expand opportunities to recognize as many people as possible within our Corps while also ensuring that we recognize them based on their overall contribution and merit. Additionally, we want to modernize the program and align it with Army processes, while also keeping it impartial. The Distinguished Members of the Corps recognition will allow us to acknowledge many more deserving members of our Regiment following their honorable service.
Although the Order of the Marechaussee is not covered in USAMPS Regulation 870-1, all relevant information about that award can be accessed on the MPRA website at <https://mpraonline.org/>. The Order of the Marechaussee provides an opportunity to recognize those who are still serving our Regiment, based on their level of responsibility and their performance with regard to that responsibility. I am aware of varied opinions about the Order of the Marechaussee; but every time I have seen the award presented, the recipient has been honored and proud to be recognized. Please identify your very best Soldiers and continue to submit them for this recognition.
Formations have been bringing Soldiers who are part of the rapidly growing military police “battle buddy” pilot program onboard in their organizations. This battle buddy program differs from the battle buddy system with which most Soldiers arriving at Fort Leonard Wood are familiar. The pilot program allows Soldiers to list up to three of their buddies from their one-station unit training/advanced individual training class; the list is then sent to the U.S. Army Human Resources Command for assignment consideration. If there are no disqualifying factors, Soldiers will be grouped together. They will be assigned the same first permanent change of station and will remain in the same unit for a minimum of 6 months. This program encourages leaders to take advantage of “Golden Triangle” and “This Is My Squad” initiatives, which are designed to allow leaders to build connections with their Soldiers’ Families and buddies and to engage their Soldiers in thinking about their teams, regardless of their rank or position.2These initiatives offer participating Soldiers resources from which to combat potentially harmful behaviors. Soldiers and their leaders have the opportunity to complete a follow-on survey to further refine the program.
As changes to the Military Police Corps structure take place, we will closely examine how those changes affect the people within our formations. The proponency team will focus on revising Department of the Army (DA) Pamphlet (Pam) 600-25, U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Guide,3to ensure that our NCOs have clear promotion path guidance. In the meantime, please ensure that we are using the current version of DA Pam 600-25 as a guide to keep the correct leaders in the key developmental positions for the right amount of time. The future of our Corps is bright. Please continue to do your part to guide, mentor, and evaluate our people so that the selection boards have a clear picture of their knowledge, skills, and behaviors.
I am humbled and incredibly proud to be a member of this Corps, and I look forward to continuing to serve alongside you all. Remember, it’s not about you—but it always starts with you. Prove you care.
Assist, Protect, Defend!
Of the Troops, For the Troops!
Endnotes