563rd MP Company prepares for deployment

May 17, 2012
By Sgt. Steven Peterson (10th Mountain)

FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Soldiers of 563rd Military Police Company, 91st Military Police Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (LI), formally readied themselves for deployment to Afghanistan during a flag casing ceremony May 15 at Magrath Gym.

The platoons from 563rd MP Company formed up in front of friends, Family Members and Soldiers of the Fort Drum community.

"We are always up before the sun, performing hard PT to ensure that we are physically ready for the rigors of Afghanistan," said Capt. Nicholas Rothwell, 563rd Military Police Company commander.

"We are trained and ready," he added, "and it is my greatest honor to be deploying as the 563rd company commander."

Rothwell went on to explain the kind of pre-deployment training his Soldiers had completed in the wet and freezing cold North Country climate, which included live-fire training and integrated air support.

The company commander and company first sergeant then cased the colors, which will be uncased once they begin operations in Afghanistan.

"Casing your guidon is a bittersweet and nostalgic occasion when Soldiers prepare to leave their homes and loved ones," said Lt. Col. Guenther Pearson, 91st Military Police Battalion commander. "The Soldiers of the 563rd have worked and trained hard, and we are extremely proud of them."

After the casing of the company's colors, the ceremony concluded with the singing of the MP song and the 10th Mountain Division song.