82D Military Police Company
The 82d Military Police Company's mission is to deploy within 18 hours and conduct military police operations in support of the 82d Airborne Division. As an element of the 82d Airborne Division, this military police company is capable of rapid deployment anywhere in the world. All of its personnel and equipment can be airdropped. Thus, the entire company can be delivered by air to any place the United States Air Force can reach. the airflow for movement of the company can start within 18 hours of notification. The "All American" MP Company trains extensively for night operations and is completely at home fighting during hours of darkness; the preferred time for airborne assaults.
The 82d MP Company consists of four platoons and a Provost Marshal Office. The "All American" MP Company consists of a headquarters platoon, which enables the company to function; four MP platoons that support the Division by performing the MP combat missions as well as law enforcement in the division area; and the provost marshal office functions as a special staff advisor to the commanding general. Three platoons provide direct support to the Division's three infantry brigades and the fourth platoon provides general support to the Division's rear area. the Provost Marshal Office plans and directs military police support throughout the division and advises the Division Commander and his staff on military police employment.
The mission requires the company to maintain platoons in a posture for quick recall and rapid deployment. Platoons maintain this readiness posture using the following three six-week rotation cycles During the training cycle, the military police paratroopers sustain their war-fighting skills. Training distracters are minimized. Platoons are postured to deploy within 18 hours. Platoons continue to train during mission cycle, but they do so in a manner that allows them to meet directed deployment times. Alert procedures require the soldiers to be on a two-hour recall. In this cycle, the "All American" military police assist, protect, and defend their fellow paratroopers by conducting law enforcement operations in the Division garrison.
The 82d MP Company supports the Division as a unique combat multiplier. This company provides combat military police support in the form of traffic circulation control, rear area security operations, enemy prisoner of war control, and evacuation of non-combatants.
In addition, the 82d MP Company provides a full range of combat support and combat service support for the Division throughout the spectrum of operations; from combat operations to stability and support operations. This support includes controlling refugee movement, conducting law and order operations, and may include training indigenous law enforcement officials in the area of operations.
The 82d MP Company has consistently and successfully demonstrated the versatility and flexibility of MP forces in every Division operation from World War I to Operation Joint Gaurdian in Kosovo.
