Photo By Sgt. Alexander Chatoff | Soldiers from the 411th Military Police Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade...... read more read more
The 411th Military Police Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade has achieved a remarkable milestone by earning the prestigious Major General Harry H. Bandholtz Award. Named after the “Father of the Military Police Corps,” the Major General Bandholtz award recognizes the best military police company in the U.S. Army for exemplifying the professionalism, discipline and excellence that he championed.
In 1918, Bandholtz became the Provost Marshal General of the American Expeditionary Force and reorganized the Provost Department, incorporated standards, increased pay, and transformed policing in the military by establishing the Division of Criminal Investigations. His efforts paved the way to the eventual establishment of the Military Police Corps in 1941. The 411th MP Company’s achievement underscores its dedication to upholding the legacy and distinction of Bandholtz.
For an MP company to be eligible for the award, they are required to submit a packet that evaluates their organization on several criteria: cohesiveness, fitness, and discipline, readiness and deployability, MP focus and innovation, MP history, MP training, and telling your company’s and the Army’s story.
Cpt. Taylor Weinberg, the 411th MP Co. commander, discusses the criteria of the award.
“To meet all criteria of the award, the unit had to include quantitative data of awards, readiness and deployability, training you have conducted, and missions conducted,” Weinberg said. “There are also sections with team building or esprit de corps you have conducted with the company.”
The 411th MP Co. has made readiness a top priority, understanding that success hinges on the ability to adapt and respond to any challenge. By focusing on continuous training, maintaining equipment, and fostering a culture of readiness at all levels, the company ensures that its Soldiers are always ready to answer the nation’s call.
“In terms of readiness, we were evaluated on how well we were performing in ACFTs, our weapon qualifications, our vehicle readiness and how many vehicles in our fleet are fully mission capable to execute,” Weinberg said. “Throughout the fiscal year, our team exceeded in every area and were always ready to do the difficult tasks when necessary.”
To sustain readiness and complete missions in a more effective manner, professional development is also a contributing factor to the success of the Soldiers within the 411th MP Co.
"We place a strong emphasis on professional development, with the goal of empowering Soldiers to progress in their careers, enhancing their effectiveness, and achieving missions to an elevated standard,” Weinberg said. “We focused on advancing careers through schools, such as BLC and ALC, that lead to promotions. We competed in many NCO of the month boards as well as a best squad competition in South Korea when we were under the 2nd Infantry Division, leading to awards and recognition for our Soldiers.”
Weinberg and the Soldiers assigned to the 411th MP Co. had a significantly busy 9-month rotation to South Korea, which gave them many opportunities for missions, training, and competitions that highlighted their fortitude and expertise.
“Prior to leaving Fort Cavazos, we worked hand in hand with the 36th Engineer Bde. during Remagen Ready 24-01, where we supported a wet-gap crossing of 700 vehicles convoying over a lake in a training area,” Weinberg said. “Three days after we arrived in Korea, we were called to support Operation Freedom Shield, a two-week exercise that included simulated noncombatant evacuation operations (NEO) alongside the 3rd Cavalry Regiment and wet-gap crossings with the 11th Eng. Bn. and soldiers from the Republic of Korea. We also assisted the 94th MP Bn. with their instillation law enforcement at Camp Humphrey. Our outstanding Soldiers even conducted a spur ride to earn their spurs with the 3rd Cav. Regt. Our company has done so much this year, and our Soldiers have worked so hard to earn this award and I couldn’t be more proud of the Soldiers in our company.”
Through their hard work and dedication to their training and missions while deployed, the 411th MP Co. became a tight-knit group of Soldiers who relied on one another, including those who were new to both the unit and the U.S. Army. As the Soldier’s bond became stronger throughout the rotation, it created a commitment to excellence that fostered trust and unity in each other. This devotion to succeed together contributed to the 411th MP Co. winning the Bandholtz award.
“This company is actually like a family, and they all take such good care of each other.” 1st Sgt. Jonathan Petrich, the 411th MP Co. first sergeant, said. “Before going to South Korea, we received a large influx of new Soldiers, many of them who were straight out of One Station Unit Training (OSUT) who assumed team leader roles. It was very impressive our Soldiers were able to deploy, build a team, and go from zero to where they are now.”
During their deployment, the 411th MP Co. has also fostered a strong esprit de corps through their active participation in a variety of sports and team-building activities. As part of a powerlifting club and engaging in many sports, including basketball, soccer, and flag football, through the Moral, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) program, they exemplified teamwork, athleticism, and unity. This collective spirit has strengthened their bond, both on and duty, and has been crucial to their overall success.
As the 411th MP Co. reflects on receiving this award, their commander expressed heartfelt gratitude to both the Soldiers and leaders for their unwavering discipline, dedication, and consistent perseverance. He also looks ahead to the legacy he would like to leave behind before he leaves the company in March.
“I can’t emphasize enough how proud I am of the Soldiers and leaders of this company for staying resilient and creating a legacy that will last forever,” Weinberg said. “The legacy I want to leave behind is a culture of excellence. When you come to the 411th MP Co., you are coming to an organization that knows how to succeed and go beyond a set standard. Knowing that our company is etched into history with this award will hopefully excite and rejuvenate a lot of Soldiers who come into this unit in the future.”
Col. Jeremy Kerfoot, commander of the 89th MP Bde., expresses his immense pride and gratitude for the exceptional Soldiers of the 411th MP Company, highlighting their diligence and remarkable achievements.
“It is a tremendous honor to lead and serve alongside the exceptional men and women of the 411th MP Co.,” Kerfoot. “Their recognition as the best active-duty Military Police Company in the United States Army is a testament to their unwavering dedication, discipline, and commitment to excellence. This achievement is the result of teamwork, resilience, and a shared commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity and service, both at home and abroad.”
| Date Taken: | 01.14.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 01.21.2025 11:21 |
| Story ID: | 489073 |
| Location: | FORT CAVAZOS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 26 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 411th MP Co. Triumphs as 2024’s Best MP Company, by SGT Alexander Chatoff, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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