According to the Tennessee Department of Military, last Friday, Smyrna’s Volunteer Training Site was the stage for the graduation of fourteen new military policemen from the Tennessee Army National Guard’s Military Police Basic Course. These graduates, coming from different states, completed a demanding four-week transition course aimed at equipping them with the skills required for military law enforcement.
Instructors from the 117th Regional Training Institute's 1st Battalion, which imparts the MP basic course, led the graduates through an exhaustive curriculum since the beginning of their training on February 22. Students were drawn from various Army career fields and chose to transition into law enforcement officers. The course they completed covered crucial areas such as military law, crime investigation, traffic accident analysis, and law enforcement tactics. Master Sgt. Jeffery Barber underscored the intense nature of the training, stating, "All of our new Military Policemen undergo rigorous training in the classroom and during real-world scenarios." According to the Tennessee Department of Military, the program prepares them for various on-the-job situations.
The training regimen also included the use of weapons—both lethal and non-lethal—evasive driving techniques, and the operation of a patrol car. These exercises aim to ensure personal safety and the protection of those they are sworn to serve.
Several graduates were distinguished for their exceptional performances during training. Sgt. Zachary Cochran, of the Oklahoma National Guard’s 745th Military Police Detachment, was named the Distinguished Honor Graduate for achieving the highest scores of all training events. Spc. Jared Oliver from the North Carolina National Guard’s 514th Military Police Company earned the academic achievement award for maintaining the class’s highest average. Sgt. Brian Vinogradov, with the New Jersey National Guard’s 328th Military Police Company, received top accolades for evasive driving and marksmanship.
