Special agents hit the pedal to the metal

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jaime Avila | Students transfer a simulated VIP from their vehicle to a safe house during the final phase of the driver-training track. Students learned various techniques to protect VIPs while they transported them from one point to another. Army Reserve soldiers, active duty soldiers, airmen, civilian law enforcement and foreign country soldiers all participated in the 200th Military Police Command's 2012 Annual Special Agent Training Sept. 20 - 30 at the Gryphon Group's Fort Bragg Combat Training Center in Maxton, N.C.  

MAXTON, NC, UNITED STATES

09.23.2012

Story by Sgt. Jaime Avila 

302nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

MAXTON, N.C. – U.S. Army Reserve special agents from Criminal Investigation Division units throughout the nation had the opportunity to refresh and refine their driving skills during the 200th Military Police Command's 2012 Annual Special Agent Training at the Gryphon Group’s Fort Bragg Combat Training Center, held here, Sept. 20 - 30. As part of a four-level driving course, special agents and their civilian counterparts trained in the basics of evasive driving, and learned new techniques to protect, defend and transport a VIP.

“We’re out here conducting some vehicular maneuvers including the pursuit-intervention technique and high-speed-turning techniques,” said Sgt. Jaqueline Webber, an active duty special agent with the 30th Military Police Detachment [Criminal Investigation Division] out of Fort Stewart, Ga. “Anything that can be of use in case we are being chased while providing personal security for someone,” said the San Angelo, Texas native.

Following a short classroom portion, the majority of the training was hands-on, where participants were able to push their skills to the limit under stressful situations. Every one of them was expected to drive through a number of different obstacles all while being shot at with paintball guns for added stress.

“We are doing everything we can to stress the driver so when something happens for real, they won’t be stressed under fire,” said Charles Sisak, a special agent with the 307th MP Det. (CID). “This builds your confidence because with conditioned training, you get conditioned reaction,” said the Jacksonville, Fla., native.
With many of the reservists’ having a dual role as military and civilian law enforcement, the training benefits the special agents on both sides of their world.

“Law enforcement agencies across the United States use this training as a tool to adjust fire on their training to learn different driving techniques. These are the basic fundamentals of driving in traffic-like situations,” said Sisak, a Sheriff deputy with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Department.

Participants took the different skills they learned throughout the day and put it to use during the final phase of the training, during a simulated real-world scenario. Throughout the process, knowledgeable instructors guided them and answered on-the-spot questions.

“We have an excellent blend of instructors from all walks of the military law enforcement career field here… The dignitary protective lane has representatives from Army CID, the military police school house, retired subject matter experts, as well as contract cadre from Gryphon Group,” said Army Reserve Lt. Col. Cullen Wright, commander of the 733rd MP Bn. CID. Wright, a Charlotte, N.C., native, works as the range master for the Charlotte Police Department.

The training also provided both participants and instructors with knowledge, and an appreciation for working side-by-side.

“Working with reservists is different because they have civilian jobs and a lot of them are law enforcement,” said Webber. “It’s been informative and a good experience.”

It’s informative training soldiers and other participants can pass along to their fellow teammates back at home.

“Half of the team out on the track are local law enforcement across the United States, so the skills they’re learning here are also going to make them that much more proficient back home with their agencies,” said Sisak. “It is also going to give them a tool they can use to teach their fellow officer.”

“Now I can go back to my office knowing that I have received training that not even my other coworkers have received,” added Webber.

• Date Taken: 09.23.2012
• Date Posted: 09.25.2012 10:55
• Story ID: 95259
• Location: MAXTON, NC, US