230th MP Co. welcomed home during uncasing ceremony

Story and photo by Spc. Adrienne Killingsworth
18th Military Police Brigade Public Affairs


The Soldiers of the 230th Military Police Company, 95th MP Battalion, were officially welcomed home during a ceremonial uncasing of the unit’s colors at Rhine Ordnance Barracks May 11.

The ceremony came after a 15-month combat tour in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, from which the Soldiers returned in March.

Lt. Col. Duane Miller, 95th MP Bn. commander, presided as the guest speaker for the event and, as he did when the 230th MP Co. came home in March, thanked the Soldiers for their service to their country, the Army and each other.

The friends and families of the Soldiers also received a nod from Colonel Miller for the special brand of courage they display when their Soldiers are deployed. The patriotism involved in supporting a Soldier during a time of war takes a lot of courage, he said.

As military police Soldiers, the mission of the 230th MP Co. could, at times, be very dangerous. The unit’s mission in Iraq was to work with the Iraqi police, help them take the lead in securing their country and provide them with the knowledge and tools to lead future generations of police officers. It is a mission that supports the larger mission of the 18th Military Police Brigade and its battalions to assist with Iraqi police expansion, development and legitimacy.

But despite the dangers and their encounters with insurgents, the Soldiers of the 230th MP Co. always maintained their company motto of “Mission first, honor always!”

Capt. Shaun Hall, 230th MP Co. company commander, praised his Soldiers for their work ethic and their ability to keep their morale up, despite the hardships of their tour. Captain Hall said he felt honored to have served with each and every one of his Soldiers and proud that in his entire time in service he has never lost a Soldier.

After spending 15 months providing protection to the citizens of Iraq and training to the Iraqi police, the Soldiers of the 230th MP Co. are prepared to resume their mission in Kaiserslautern, providing joint law enforcement and conducting response force operations for the KMC and transportation security for the 21st Theater Sustainment Command.