News Release

18th Military Police Brigade

Grafenwoehr, Germany
+49 0964170-569-1805
APO-AE 09114

Keeping the Line Behind the Fight

105th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Story by Sgt. Brandon Jacobs
Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Hohenfels, Germany – Soldiers of the the 92nd Military Police Company traveled over 200 miles
from their home in Sembach, Germany, to Hohenfels Training Area, Bavaria, to take part in
exercise Allied Spirit X. During the U.S. Army Europe-directed training, they had the unique
opportunity to practice a wide range of tasks from their field.

When the training was announced the 92nd MP Co. wasn't quite sure what their role would be.
“Everybody fell into this belief that we were going to do garrison law enforcement here,”
said Col. Glen Schmick, 18th Military Police Brigade commander. “That’s not a fact, we are
forward deployed.”

To be a forward deployed MP requires a different skill set than those used in garrison law
enforcement. With the demands of regular patrols and duties, the soldiers of the 92nd MP Co. are
not always able to train on these tactical aspects.

“We have a dual mission and need to focus on both realms, the law enforcement side and the
tactical side,” said 1st Lt. Maria Colompos, third platoon leader, 92nd MP Co. “Unfortunately
we don’t have as much time to focus on the tactical side as we would wish, however we have the
mentorship networks, the soldiers and the officers, to mold into what we see as the tactical MP.”

Everyday in the 92nd MP Co. brings changes and new challenges. Those that succeed must be
strong, flexible and adaptable in order to face an ever evolving military environment.

“A tactical MP understands that the role is multi-faceted, with differences throughout the
spectrum of the military,” said Colompos. “Military police can be embedded within any brigade
combat team, and that is something the military will align with in the near future. I believe the
soldiers within this training cycle will be able to understand that is where the operational picture
will be going to.”

Along with training on less frequently used skills, the Soldiers developed new abilities, such as
integration and interoperability. With 5,600 participants, Allied Spirit X is an ideal place to
practice those skills.

“It’s absolutely critical to talk about interoperability, but you actually have to do it,” said
Schmick. “You can read about it and say, yes we can figure it out, but it’s not until you try to
understand that you realize we each have our own lexicon, our own language, tactics and
procedures.”
The 92nd MP Co. will return home after this training with a new mindset and skills to employ.
Due to the success of their mission at Hohenfels, more MP units will attend future training
iterations.
“We’ve worked out a rotation and for the foreseeable future we will put an MP company back
here,” said Schmick.

- Ever Vigilant -

1. The 18th Military Brigade is U.S. Army Europe's singular and lead organization for police
operations, security and mobility support operations, detention operations, general engineer
construction operations, mobility, counter-mobility, and survivability operations. The brigade
provides support throughout the U.S. Army Europe area of responsibility (AOR) utilizing the
largest and most geographically dispersed Military Police Battalion in the Army and the only
forward stationed, echelon above brigade Engineer Construction Battalion in U.S. Army Europe.

2. To view the 18th Military Police Brigade Facebook page, click here.

3. To view our latest video, print and radio products, click here.

4. For more information, please contact Major Devon Thomas at

devon.o.thomas.mil@mail.mil or +49 0151-6674-0694 by phone or What’s App.