Soldiers awarded combat patches on MP birthday

Courtesy Photo | A Soldier from the 615th Military Police Company from Grafenwoer, Germany, adjusts the flags before the unit’s combat patch ceremony on Forward Operating Base Ghardez Sept. 26. The ceremony was held on the 69th anniversary of the creation of the U.S. Army’s military police branch. (Photo by U.S. Army Capt. Mark Steskal, Task Force Avalanche)  

PAKTYA PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

09.26.2010

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 101

PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – For many years, U.S. soldiers who serve 30 days or more in a combat zone have been eligible for special recognition known as a combat patch, which is displayed on the right sleeve of their uniforms.

The combat patch indicates soldiers have actively participated in ground combat operations against an enemy force and been exposed to the threat of enemy action or fire.

For the Soldiers of the 615th Military Police Company, from Grafenwöehr, Germany, their combat patch ceremony was held on Forward Operating Base Ghardez Sept. 26. For many, the date carried with it special significance.

The military police branch of the U.S. Army was created 69 years ago on Sept. 26, 1941. To commemorate the event, U.S. Army Capt. Bryan Anderson, native of Des Moines, Iowa, and 615th MP Co. commander, scheduled his unit’s combat patch ceremony to coincide with the historical date.

“The combat patch is not only a badge of merit,” said Anderson. “It represents a bond among Soldiers of shared commitment, courage and hardship.”

Although the unit has only been in Afghanistan just over a month, they already had a taste of the hardship and commitment a deployment brings.

“Since our arrival, we have made a significant contribution to the Afghan security,” he said. “We’ve done that by partnering with the Afghan National Police and assisting in numerous operations to support the development of law and order.”

The 615th also played a significant and integral role in ensuring success of the recent historic Afghan parliamentary elections. The unit assisted the ANP to ensure the safety and security of voters during the elections causing insurgent activity to be ineffective and virtually nonexistent.

One Soldier who earned his combat patch was U.S. Army Pfc. Ralph Williams, native of Louisville, Ky., and proud member of the 615th MP Co.

“I am raising the bar for my family,” he said. “My parents set the bar high for me, and I am setting it high for my daughter.”

Williams, who overcame an injury in order to join his comrades on his first deployment, seems filled with pride to wear the combat patch.

“When I see my daughter’s pride in me and the wonder in the eyes of other children when they see me in uniform, I know I am doing the right thing,” he said.

• Date Taken: 09.26.2010
• Date Posted: 10.02.2010 18:32
• Story ID: 57382
• Location: PAKTYA PROVINCE, AF