U.S. Army MPs celebrate 85 years of protecting the force
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — From Sept. 21 to 25, 2026, Military Police Soldiers gathered at the home of the regiment and the U.S. Army Military Police School, to celebrate 85 years of the U.S. Army Military Police Corps at Fort Leonard Wood.
Leading up to regimental week, USAMPS hosted the MP Warfighter Competition from September 14 to 17, 2026. Established in 1995 to identify the premier team within the MP Regiment, this year’s competition tested 15, four-person teams with events including several physical fitness assessments, weapons qualifications, MP Corps history exam, stress shoot, Expert Soldier Badge skills, swim qualification, 12-mile ruck march, and day and night land navigation.
At the award ceremony, USAMPS Command Sgt. Maj. James Rutherford said the competition represents “the excellence, readiness and strength of our regiment.”
The winning team, from the 504th MP Battalion in Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, was made up of 2nd Lt. Wilson Monroe, Sgt. Walter Sebastian, Spc. Trevor Stuber and Pfc. Eric Gonzalez.
Sebastian reflected on last year’s grueling run, noting that while competing with three different teammates yielded a fourth-place finish, it fell short of his personal expectations.
“I wanted to test myself again to measure my improvement,” Sebastian said.
Recognizing swimming as his primary vulnerability last year, he dedicated his training to mastering water survivability skills.
“I couldn’t swim at all last year. I had to face my fear and correct my deficiency,” Sebastian said. “I did well this year. It is important to be a well-rounded warfighter. I want to teach my Soldiers that it is critical to lean into discomfort and master the things we fear.”
According to Sebastian, his team's favorite event was the Physical Endurance Course — a nostalgic challenge that brought back memories of their basic combat training days.
“We finished it in about 4-minutes,” Sebastian said.
A new accolade debuted this year as 14th MP Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Elderkin presented the Spirit of the Regiment Award. The award honors the competitor who best exemplified exceptional character, sportsmanship, motivation, and resilience throughout the grueling competition.
“This is an award that we will continue throughout the rest of the MP Warfighter Competitions,” Elderkin said. The winner of the first Spirit of the Regiment Award went to Spc. Karol Arroyo with the 850th MP Battalion, Arizona National Guard.
The competition’s overall second place team was from the 93rd MP Battalion, Fort Bliss, Texas. The Third place was the team was from the 716th MP Battalion, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
To view more photos from the competition, visit this https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD4WZG.
This year’s regimental week theme was, “The Year of Protection.”
Regimental week began with the MP Memorial Tribute Sept. 21, 2026, in MP Memorial Grove.
The Waynesville High School choir performed special music, Chaplain Joseph Hatcher had a scripture reading and Soldiers from the Military Police Advanced Leader Course served on the firing detail for the rifle volley.
During the memorial tribute, keynote speaker USAMPS Command Sgt. Maj. James Rutherford thanked the Gold Star families for attending.
“Your presence means a great deal to this regiment. We know that for you, remembrance is not limited to a single ceremony or a single day,” Rutherford said. “It is personal, it is endearing and we are deeply honored to stand with you today.”
Col. Robert Rodock, USAMPS commandant, and Rutherford laid a wreath on the memorial.
“We come together here at Memorial Grove to honor the fallen Military Police Soldiers who wore the crossed pistols with pride,” Rutherford said. “They served with courage and devotion.”
Stepping into the boots of their Soldiers, MP family members tackled the Order of the Crossed Pistols on Sept. 22, 2026. The event challenged participants to conquer the Army Physical Fitness Test, negotiate a demanding obstacle course, test their marksmanship on the weapons range, and undergo hands-on military police tactical training.
Members of the MP Corps assembled on Gammon Field at 5 a.m., Sept. 23, 2026, for the annual MP Regimental Run. The historic run remains a cornerstone of Regimental Week, uniting the formation in a shared display of physical endurance and regimental pride.
At the Honor Recognition and Hall of Fame Induction ceremony Sept. 24, 2026, in Lincoln Hall Auditorium several soldiers and retirees were recognized for their contributions to the MP Corps.
Lt. Col. Mark M. Weber Professional Writing awardees Retired Sgt. Maj. Zachary Wriston Sgt. Maj. Robert Bunch Sgt. Maj. Keith Kinnerson Sgt. 1st Class Brooke Grether Sgt. 1st Class Justin Howard
Regimental Command Sgt. Maj. James W. Frye NCO of Excellence awardees 1st Sgt. Ethan Smith Sgt. Bryce Hale
Regimental Chief Warrant Officer Philip E. Tackett Excellence in Policing awardee Special Agent Jada Masawi
2026 Hall of Fame inductees Retired Maj. Gen. Cary Cowan Retired Col. Robert Taradash Retired Col. John Voorhees Retired Col. Charles Williams Retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Michael Turner Retired Command Sgt. Maj. James Breckinridge Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Bradley Cross Retired First Sgt. Emmett Parker (posthumously awarded)
The week ended with the MP Regimental Ball Sept. 25, 2026, at Nutter Field House.
To view more photos from regimental week, visit this https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD5x4y.
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