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Tropic Lightning -- 1 December 2000

Military police, infantrymen man checkpoints during training

By Staff Sgt. Michael Westerfield

"Peacekeeping missions are the missions of the future," said Capt. Paul D. Mazure, Company B, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry. "As these types of missions become more common, infantry Soldiers need to learn from the most experienced peacekeeping Soldiers, the military police."

That’s exactly what happened during bilateral checkpoint training as Soldiers and their

Japanese counterparts demonstrated peacekeeping skills during Operation Keen Sword 2001. Military Police from the 25th Military Police Company, served as role players and observers and controllers challenging the infantrymen with several scenarios they might face during checkpoint operations.

The first challenge the infantrymen faced was a "friendly drunk" approaching the checkpoint. Before they were finished dealing with him, another scenario began, then yet another and another.

"Sometimes it happens that way," said Pfc. Keoni H. K. Mossman, a 25th MP Co. radio

operator. "You have to be in control during chaos or at least make them think you’re in control. Otherwise you lose any control you might have."

The role players were prepared to act as indigenous civilians in a civil-war-ravaged country. The infantrymen were given the task of manning a checkpoint to help control the movements of people within the area.

"Without the unpredictability role players bring into the situation the training is not

nearly as realistic," said Sgt. Richard D. Dugard, 25th MP Co. military police officer.

"Manning a gate can be dull, monotonous work but as soon as you let your guard down it can go crazy. Role players need to be free to react to opportunities like real people might."

The training was followed by an After Action Review.

Each team leader and significant role player briefed the group.

The Japanese observers asked questions of the commander and various team leaders and

discussed all aspects of the training.

"It’s just like anything else we do, the more we do it the better we get," said 1st Sgt. John H. Yancey, Co. B, 1st Bn., 27th Inf., first sergeant. "You can all expect to see more of this training soon."