2nd Law Enforcement Battalion activated at Camp Lejeune

Photo By Chief Warrant Officer Bryan Nygaard | Marines in 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion stand in formation during the battalion's activation ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 26. The battalion will be a force multiplier to the operating forces by assisting in a variety of missions that include law enforcement, route regulation, humanitarian assistance, nonlethal weapons training and military working dog employment.  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

06.26.2012

Courtesy Story

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - The 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion was officially activated in order to improve law enforcement capabilities within II Marine Expeditionary Force during a ceremony that took place here, June 26.

“The battalion will be a force multiplier to the operating forces forward deployed by assisting in an array of missions from law enforcement, route regulation, humanitarian assistance, nonlethal weapons training and military working dog employment,” said Maj. Eric Young, the commanding officer of 2nd LEB.

Traditionally, each element of the Marine Air Ground Task Force (2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Logistics Group and 2nd Marine Air Wing) would employ a company of their own military policemen. With the consolidation of all military policemen into a battalion, the battalion staff can focus on training the MP’s to specific standards based on the mission requirements of a requesting unit.

“The consolidation of law enforcement Marines will ensure the battalion is focusing on missions that require the skill set of these Marines,” said Capt. Mark Bailey, 2nd LEB’s operations officer.

II MEF currently has military working dog teams supporting operations in Afghanistan, where they are finding weapons, IED’s and drugs.

“The activation of 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion is about the infantryman, not the Law Enforcement Battalion or Military Police occupational field.”

Marine Corps Bulletin 5400, released in Sept. 2011, called for the reactivation of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Military Police Battalions, now designated as law enforcement battalions, in each Marine Expeditionary Force.

The structuring of Marine Corps military police into battalions first occurred during World War II, in which the provost marshal of the Far East Command realized that as operations pushed further into the Pacific Theater, transporting prisoners of war through friendly lines would no longer be a feasible option.

• Date Taken: 06.26.2012
• Date Posted: 06.29.2012 14:55
• Story ID: 90872
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US