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    Advancing through experience – 131st MP Co. deploys to GITMO

    Advancing through experience – 131st MP Co. deploys to GITMO

    Photo By Ismael Ortega | Soldiers assigned to 131st Military Police Company, South Carolina Army National...... read more read more

    FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

    12.15.2016

    Story by Ismael Ortega 

    Mobilization and Deployment, DPTMS Fort Bliss

    Soldiers assigned to the 131st Military Police Company, South Carolina Army National Guard, deployed to Guantanamo Naval Base, Cuba, from the Silas L. Copeland Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group here Nov. 29, to conduct detainee operations. This will be the first time the unit has supported a mission such as this, but after completing training with the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security the Soldiers feel prepared.

    “Prior to us coming here we had a lot of the standard Army Warrior tasks, battle drills and when we arrived on the ground we focused more on the operational and non-lethal training which (the Soldiers have) done in the past but really honed their skills here,” said 1st Lt. Katherine Weatherly, commander, 131st MP Co. “We also worked with really for the first time, knowledgeable (internment/resettlement specialist) instructors that taught detainee operations.”

    The 131st MP Co. was assembled by servicemen and servicewomen who volunteered from sister companies and other units within the Palmetto State to go on this deployment.

    “We’ve been lucky with our state to be able to pull from other unis and not hurt (their deployment cycle) to have this 100 percent volunteer mission,” Weatherly said. “I’m very proud of everybody and I wouldn’t trade them for anyone else. We are ready to go and mission ready.”

    More than half the unit is deploying for the first time and many hope to better themselves by gaining valuable leadership skills. Soldiers such as Evans and Sgt. Austin Rogers, team leader, use what they learn in their military career such as managing personnel and interacting with different personalities in the civilian sector.

    “In the military you have to learn to be patient. You deal with a lot of different people that you probably wouldn’t on a regular basis so that definitely helps a lot in the real world,” Evans said.

    Others will use their time at the naval base to attend the Basic Leadership course to prepare for higher rank or take advantage of the Morale, Welfare and Recreational opportunities. Overall the unit’s goal is to have a 100 percent pass rate on the Army Physical Fitness test and have all Soldiers complete their structured self-development.

    Mentorship has also helped prepare the unit members. Rogers credits his promotion to a noncommissioned officer to his squad leaders’ and platoon sergeant. Evans sees Staff Sgt. Alycia Bradshaw as an example to follow.

    “(Bradshaw) is the top female noncommissioned officer and definitely handles her business,” Evans said. “She’s good at (physical training) and very knowledgeable … I want to move up in rank and be like her.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 12.15.2016
    Date Posted: 12.15.2016 16:17
    Story ID: 217892
    Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US
    Hometown: BEAUFORT, SC, US
    Hometown: COLUMBIA, SC, US
    Hometown: EL PASO, TX, US
    Hometown: FORT BLISS, TX, US

    Web Views: 191
    Downloads: 1

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