Military police aim to maintain standard

Photo By Sgt. Maj. Andrew Kosterman | Range safeties and soldiers from 3rd Platoon, 557th Military Police Company, 501st Sustainment Brigade walk back to the firing line after checking their targets during a platoon’s M4 carbine qualification range conducted at Rodriguez Range, South Korea, Oct. 6, 2011.  

U.S ARMY GARRISON HUMPHREYS, 26, SOUTH KOREA

10.06.2011

Courtesy Story

501st Sustainment Brigade

U.S ARMY GARRISON HUMPHREYS, South Korea – Soldiers from the 557th Military Police Company, 501st Sustainment Brigade conducted M4 carbine qualification at Rodriguez Range, South Korea, Oct. 6-7.

The two-day exercise was a way of evaluating each soldier’s ability to properly identify and engage multiple targets with their weapon. Soldiers engaged targets from simulated distances ranging from 50 to 300 meters. Additionally, the qualification range provided platoon leadership an opportunity to identify soldiers who may require additional training with their weapons.

“As military police, we are expected to be able to shoot, move and communicate regardless of rank or time in service,” said Sgt. 1st Class Raphael M. Castro, platoon sergeant for 3rd Platoon, 557th MP Company. He stressed the importance of qualification ranges.

Because Rodriguez range is located about two hours North of Camp Humphreys, Castro said he took the opportunity to use the platoon’s time and incorporate several soldier-focused common task training events.

“Conducting these ranges gives us the opportunity to continue to develop our young non-commissioned officers and soldiers by utilizing the whole soldier concept,” said Castro.

Castro said that he trained his soldiers in proper radio communications procedures, identifying and calling in checkpoints along a route, nine-line medical evacuation procedures, precombat checks, precombat inspections and area security.

“The exercise provided newly-assigned soldiers, most of whom are recent graduates from advance individual training, with a chance to qualify with their assigned weapon,” said Staff Sgt. Eugene Blow, squad leader of 3rd Platoon, 557th MP Company, 501st SBDE.

Blow stated that the ranges are a confidence booster for the soldiers, not only in themselves but also in their equipment.

“It seems the better they score the more confident they become in their own capabilities,” said Blow.

• Date Taken: 10.06.2011
• Date Posted: 11.07.2011 03:11
• Story ID: 79652
• Location: U.S ARMY GARRISON HUMPHREYS, 26, KR