18th Military Police Brigade Soldiers declared Heroes by Inspector General

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

08.28.2008

Story by Sgt. Daniel Blottenberger 

18th Military Police Brigade

By Sgt. Daniel Blottenberger
18th Military Police Brigade

BAGHDAD – The Multi-National Corps – Iraq inspector general declared seven 18th Military Police Brigade Soldiers as IG Heroes in a ceremony, Aug. 28, 2008, held at the 18th MP Bde. headquarters at Camp Liberty.

The Soldiers were recognized by Col. Ramon Valle, MNC-I command inspector general, for outstanding performance during a recent IG inspection of the brigade by the IG team, Aug. 26-28, 2008.

The team inspected the brigade's administration, motor pool and logistics sections.

"The MNC-I IG's office utilizes what we call Heroes program, which recognizes those individuals that stood out during their scheduled inspection," said Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Vinson, the non-commissioned officer who conducted the IG inspection for the brigade.

Although there is no written program to determine the qualifications to be awarded an IG Hero, said Vinson, it is up to the inspector to determine who he feels is worthy of the title.

"For example, the two I chose were Pfc. Hollie McDonald, 793rd Military Police Battalion, and Pfc. Jonathan Salinas, 716th Military Police Battalion," said Vinson. "Both are very young junior Soldiers, who displayed great knowledge in their fields of logistics. Their knowledge exceeded those normally in their pay grade and military experience."

The IG Hero award is a way to recognize Soldiers like McDonald and Salinas for their efforts and hard work during their deployments.

The other 18th MP Bde. Soldiers awarded were: Staff Sgt. Sara Lay-Ibejibah, Headquarters and Headquarters Company; Spc. Gina Muncy, 716th MP Bn.; Sgt. Victor Cole, 716th MP Bn.; Sgt. Jose Calderon, 793rd MP Battalion and Spc. Ryan Wheeler, 793rd MP Bn.

"Just as any award recognizes an individual's efforts and hard work, so does the Hero Certificate of Achievement," said Vinson. "The recognition serves as a morale booster for the individuals inspected."

The IG inspection, also known as the Operational Readiness Assessment, works in conjunction with the MNC-I commanding general's Organizational Inspection Program.

There is a requirement in the Army Inspection Program regulation that commanders utilize at the OIP program to ensure their commands are operating within compliance of Army regulatory and policy guidance, said Vinson.

"This is where the IG's office comes in and we inspect to ensure units are operating within compliance," said Vinson.

The 18th MP Bde. received 24 commendable areas out of 28 areas that were inspected, said Maj. Kimberly Grahek, 18th MP Bde. logistics officer and a native of LaFollette, Tenn.

The 18th MP Bde., Multi-National Division – Baghdad, is deployed from Mannheim, Germany, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09.

• Date Taken: 08.28.2008
• Date Posted: 08.31.2008 13:41
• Story ID: 23072
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ