USAR and Canadian MP’s Share Training and Experience

FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES

06.23.2016

Courtesy Story

220th Public Affairs Detachment

USAR and Canadian MP’s Share Training and Experience

As U.S. Army Reserve Military Police (MP) Soldiers arrived for a preliminary briefing on Operation Guardian Justice initially there was nothing unusual. A PowerPoint presentation was on the screen in the front of the room and Soldiers filed in quietly and took their seats.

Suddenly a platoon entered the room wearing a different shade of green camouflage uniforms with a maple leaf patch on each shoulder. The differences did not stop with the uniforms; three male Soldiers wore full beards while two female Soldiers had earrings and hairstyles much different than what is allowed within the U.S. Army’s uniform regulations.

Because of these obvious differences in appearance all eyes focused on the Soldiers of the 1st MP Regiment from Edmonton, Alberta. While the Canadians appeared different they are MPs and Soldiers similar to the American MPs, and were here for the same training.

There are three main reasons for training with a foreign military, said Sgt. Nadine Dalton, the Platoon Warrant for the Canadian Soldiers. The first reason is for Canadian Soldiers to benefit from the same “high speed” training that members of the U.S. Army Reserve benefit from. Secondly, it is an opportunity for the Canadian Soldiers to share their expertise and experience with the American MP’s. A third reason is the opportunity for Soldiers from both countries to learn to be more adaptable, agile, flexible and innovative in executing the full range of MP operations supporting joint, and multinational operations globally.

This isn’t the first time Canadian forces have trained with American forces and this training is essential, said Lt. Matthew Hung, the Platoon Leader of the Canadian forces at Fort McCoy.

Because the Canadian armed forces (Navy, Army and Air Force) have 90,000 total service members they never operate in isolation in foreign countries. By comparison the United States Army Reserve consists of 198,000 Soldiers.

Even though MP procedures are relatively the same the few differences are evident, said Hung. Tasers are not authorized for carry or use by the Canadian military, but they are under consideration for use in the future. Until they become approved for use, training opportunities in Canada are not available.

Canadian Soldiers are not only here to learn from the American instructors but are also acting as instructors themselves. Cpl. Conor Doyle and Cpl. Taylor Jones taught a class on detention operations. Cpl. Chris Auger taught the members of the 450th MP Battalion Canadian handcuffing procedures.

The U.S. Army Reserve MP Soldiers were surprised that Canadian protocol involves forcibly placing a boot on a detainees neck if they are being non-compliant. The Canadian instructors explained that MPs must always follow their unit’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for a particular Area of Operations (AO).

Canadian expertise was not only evident when they were instructing but also when they were students. During a class on reporting a bomb threat, Dalton shared a story about surviving a bombing while providing personal security for an American diplomat.

When the Canadian platoon first arrived they sat in their own row of the auditorium, but after three days of training that has changed.

“It is more of a respect thing for class, but I encourage my troops to make friends with the rest of the troops on ground,” said Hung.

The Canadian soldiers have benefited from this training immensely so far, and have enjoyed intermingling with members of the 450th MP BN at meals and in the different training lanes, said Hung.

The Canadian MPs may have different uniforms, ranks and procedures for warrior tasks, but they share the same vision of a multinational force. Joint training exercises like Guardian Justice increase both country’s adaptability and flexibility to increase readiness in the future.

• Date Taken: 06.23.2016
• Date Posted: 06.27.2016 13:55
• Story ID: 202323
• Location: FORT MCCOY, WI, US
• Hometown: FORT MCCOY, WI, US