Photo By Giancarlo Casem | Petty Officer 1st Class Brenda Walton, Camp Arifjan Military Police, operates the...... read more read more
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By Spc. Giancarlo Casem
50th Public Affairs Detachment
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait -- Service members at Camp Arifjan are protected and served by the military police stationed here. Their presence contributes to the Third Army/U.S. Army Central's mission by protecting vital assets including human lives.
"We help make Camp Arifjan more safe and livable for all branches," said Petty Officer 1st Class Jose Pantoja, operations chief at the military police station at Camp Arifjan.
Military police officers ensure that service members, Department of Defense civilians and contractors all stay safe and secure. This element of force protection helps keep casualties and down-time to a minimum by having safety measures in place such as speed limits, said Master Chief Petty Officer Mark Seifert, senior enlisted officer at the station.
"It's a team effort," Seifert said. "Everyone's role is key."
Military police officers patrol Camp Arifjan as well as other camps in the Kuwait area of operations. These patrols make sure equipment and personnel are safe and secure. Any incident or crime that spurs investigations could cause a delay in Camp Arifjan's logistical missions, Seifert said.
"If something happens down here, there will be a lot more delay," he said. "If the mission down here slows down, it would delay the supplies getting to our troops up north."
The MPs here in Kuwait are the first responders to traffic accidents off post involving military or government personnel. Aside from that, they also provide other services on post. They enforce speed limits and seat belt regulations, Pantoja said.
The force protection mission provides security for service members working and living on post.
"It makes us feel good," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Joseph Nace, the master arms senior chief. "It feels good that we can provide them safety."
Although the work load here is considerably less compared to installations back in the U.S., the officers here do not get complacent. They have some sort of refresher training every day, Nace said.
Pantoja said one of the biggest changes from the MP mission back in the U.S. is the amount of traffic. That could also add to drivers' complacency when it comes to driving under the speed limit.
"That usually happens with units that are in-transit," Seifert said. "We have to consistently remind units to wear seat belts and follow the speed limits."
Seifert said the MPs and the Provost Marshal's Office provide training and briefings for leaders and senior personnel to keep their troops safe. Seifert said that speed limits and seat belt rules are enforced for everyone's safety.
The MPs work closely with Combat Supports Associates contractors to provide physical security around Kuwait.
"It's because of them that we can sleep at night," Seifert said. "They are very important to us. Having them here takes the strain out of the military to provide personnel."
With more MPs being able to provide patrols and security inside the installation, the MPs can do the best possible job of ensuring service members, contractors and equipment are safe.
"People know we are being proactive, when they see us roll up, they know the MPs will take care of business," Pantoja said. "People do appreciate us here, it gives them a sense of security."
(Editor's note: This is the second in a three-part series about the emergency services in Kuwait.)
| Date Taken: | 08.05.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 08.05.2007 09:55 |
| Story ID: | 11637 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 633 |
| Downloads: | 104 |
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