SMYRNA, Tenn. - Fourteen new military policemen graduated from the Tennessee Army National Guard’s Military Police Basic Course March 21 and are now military law enforcement officers and the latest members of the U.S. Army Military Police Corps.
The graduates, who hail from numerous states, underwent an intensive four-week transition course taught by the 117th Regional Training Institute’s 1st Battalion. The battalion teaches the MP introductory course and other professional programs to Army National Guard, Army Reserve and Active-Duty Army forces. Students are Soldiers with specialties in different Army career fields who have decided to transition and become law enforcement officers.
Since the course began Feb. 22, the students have trained in law enforcement skills, tactics and tasks, including military law, responding to and investigating crimes and traffic accident investigation.
“All of our new military policemen undergo rigorous training in the classroom and during real-world scenarios,” said Master Sgt. Jeffery Barber, the chief instructor at the 1-117th. “We ensure that they are exposed to anything they may deal with when they are on the job and how to react to the unforeseen.”
Students also trained on lethal and non-lethal weapons they may need, evasive driving techniques and how to safely operate a patrol car.
“We operate one of the most professional schools in the military because what we teach here saves lives,” said Barber. “We have great leadership, instructors with extensive real-world experience, and the highest caliber of students. Many of our instructors are combat veterans and work as police officers, state troopers and federal agents for their civilian profession.”
During the graduation ceremony, students received awards for their performance during training. Sgt. Zachary Cochran, with the Oklahoma National Guard’s 745th Military Police Detachment, was the Distinguished Honor Graduate. He had the highest scores in all training events. Spc. Jared Oliver, with the North Carolina National Guard’s 514th Military Police Company, earned the academic achievement award for having the class’s highest scholastic average. Sgt. Brian Vinogradov, with the New Jersey National Guard’s 328th Military Police Company, was awarded the class’s top driver award for being the best driver during the evasive driving test and the top shooter award for scoring the highest during handgun qualifications.
“I am incredibly proud of all the hard work the students have done, and I know they are leaving here well-trained military policemen who will serve our nation well,” said Barber.
Each graduate will return to their state as an official military policeman, ready for their next mission.