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MPs in Kuwait train for guarding EPWs

by Spc. Katherine Robinson

CAMP NEW YORK, Kuwait (Army News Service, March 3, 2003) -- To prepare for what may come, soldiers in Kuwait are learning how to deal with enemy prisoners of war.

Internment and resettlement training was conducted by the 3rd Military Police Battalion (Provisional) Feb. 17 and 18 in preparation for possible future operations.

The battalion normally provides law enforcement and emergency services support for Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, Ga. Additionally, the battalion trains military police units for deployments either by air, sea or rail to contingency areas in order to support the 18th Airborne Corps, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) and Forces Command missions.

Master Sgt. Tony McGee, 3rd Infantry Division Provost Marshal operations sergeant, said handling of enemy prisoners of war is one of the MPs main missions. "It consumes most of what we do," he said.

The battalion set up a central collection point on Camp New York. The area was divided into several sections, exactly as it would be in a real-world situation, except on a significantly smaller scale, said McGee, a native of Florence, S.C.

The MPs learned to maintain security, transfer and account for prisoners, their belongings and their weapons.

"These guys' ability to handle that number and do it proficiently is extremely important. We've got to get (the prisoners) off the battlefield and protect them."

As part of the training, the MPs received a simulated report along with a grid coordinate giving the location of EPWs. They then moved out to pick up the "prisoners," who were role-played by other MPs.

At forward collection points, the soldiers corralled the prisoners, searched them for weapons and took them to the central collection point in troop carriers.

There, EPWs were met at the gate by an initial reception security team, a squad of MPs who searched them again, and moved them in to either the consolidated holding area or, if they needed medical attention, an aid station.

From there, another squad took the prisoners to a search area for a third and more detailed search, then moved them through inprocessing where EPWs had their personal items inventoried and paperwork filled out. They received two Meals-Ready-to-Eat, a bottle of water and a blanket. They also received bracelets with numbers that corresponded to their paperwork.

While some of their belongings were temporarily confiscated, to be returned upon release, the prisoners were allowed to keep badges of rank and nationality, religious literature and items of personal or sentimental nature.

Under constant guard, the prisoners were taken from inprocessing to a segregated holding area, divided in to sections for officers, noncommissioned officers and enlisted soldiers. Finally, they ended up in a barracks area, divided the same way.

Treating the EPWs correctly while handling them efficiently is very important, said Command Sgt. Maj. Charles D. Medley, 3rd MP Bn. command sergeant major, from Huntsville, Ala.

"One of the primary differences between the United States Army and many of our adversaries is that we treat EPWs with dignity and respect while maintaining security," he said. "We reinforce that with the MPs constantly. EPWs are soldiers, they're on the other side, but they're still human beings ... they will receive the same medical care as a U.S. Army soldier."

Sometimes enemy soldiers who surrender will do anything to cooperate because they're hungry and thirsty, said Pvt. 2 Ashley Hargett, an MP from Hutchinson, Kan.

"I learned that some will resist and often that's because they're scared. You have to be aware of your surroundings," she said.

Hargett said the training helped her know what to possibly expect.

"It's good training. It lets us know what we need to do and what we need to change," she said. "As far as training goes, it could always benefit you."

Though she's nervous about the prospect of having to put her training to use in a real-world situation, Hargett said she's not scared. "I have a lot of confidence in my team. My team knows what they're doing. There's a lot of experience here."

Though many of the MPs have been deployed for several months, Medley there has been no complaining.

"We're here to do a job, and when it's finished, we'll be glad to go home," he said. "I've had zero soldiers complain ... I couldn't be prouder."

(Editors Note: Spc. Katherine Robinson is a member if the 50th Public Affairs Detachment.)