Military Police Company receives surprise before the holidays

Photo By Staff Sgt. Tristin Maximilian | 1st Lt. Anna Kretzer, a platoon leader assigned to the 527th Military Police Company qualifies on the new M17. The U.S. Army started fielding Military Police units with the new SIG Sauer M17 pistol to replace the M9 Beretta. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tristin Maximilian)  

HOHENFELS, BY, GERMANY

12.12.2019

Story by Sgt. Tristin Maximilian 

Joint Multinational Readiness Center

HOHENFELS, Germany-- It looks as if Christmas came early for the 527th Military police company as they received their new M17s earlier this month. The U.S. Army started fielding Military Police units with the new SIG Sauer M17 pistol to replace the M9 Beretta last December.

“I like it a lot better than the old M9 it’s a lot easier to shoot,” said 1st Lt. Anna Kretzer, a platoon leader assigned to the 527th MP Co.

The company had the opportunity to test out and qualify on the new system last week.

“We’ve seen a higher qualification rate, tighter shot groups, more experts and more confidence with the weapon,” said Staff Sgt. Blake Laughlin, who served as the range officer during the qualification.

One of the many features in the M-17 is the self-illuminated sighting for low light visibility, a hammer-less system making it a single action weapon.

“I find it easier to shoot because it’s a hammer-less system, it’s the same trigger squeeze from the first round to the last round,” said Laughlin “Another key component is the hand grip as they come in three different sizes so soldiers with smaller hands can customize it to make it more comfortable.”

“With the lightweight system allows for easy handling and better accuracy, I feel more confident on it,” added Kretzer as she just completed her qualification.

However, even with the recent upgrade, the change to the qualification course remains in the future.

• Date Taken: 12.12.2019
• Date Posted: 12.19.2019 07:38
• Story ID: 356298
• Location: HOHENFELS, BY, DE