Regimental Week

You have probably heard the term Regimental Week in conjunction with the Warfighter Competition. The two events share a time period and are both sponsored by the Military Police (MPs), but the two events are actually very different.

A couple of weeks ago I had the chance to interview Captain John C. Erickson, who is the project manager for Regimental Week. He helped me distinguish the two events.

I learned that the Warfighter challenge is a celebration of the capabilities of our Soldiers and an event to witness the healthy competition between units. Regimental Week and the Regimental Conference, however, look at the “big picture” of what MPs are doing in support of our Army and includes strategic planning for the future.

Regimental Week takes place September 9 – 26. It’s a yearly senior leader conference for all MPs in the Army. These senior leaders are here for three days. Their intent, in general, is to share their lessons learned from the field and discuss future planning. Guest speakers include other MPs, General Officers and others. Senior leaders attending Regimental week share their lessons learned and participate in strategic discussions. These lessons can include, for example, updates on Iraq, Afghanistan, or other missions that MPs are exciting on our camps and stations.

The event is sponsored by the United States Army Military Police School, or USAMPS. Brigadier General David Phillips is the commandant of USAMPS and the host for the conference. During the event, Brig. Gen. Phillips hosts “working groups”: He provides questions (about the MP mission or the force mission, for example) and asks the groups to put their heads together to discuss the question and possible solutions, outcomes, or other pertinent information. Later, the groups brief BG Phillips on their findings.

This year, Regimental Week is held at the same time as the Warfighter competition to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. It hasn’t always been this way, but it is this year.

Other events during Regimental Week include dedication of the criminal investigation department forensics building 3209 to the MG Timmerberg Forensic Science Training Facility, inductions into the MP hall of fame, a Gold Star Family (GSF) reunion and memorial, and a 68-mile run. GSF are families that have lost a loved one, and they are honored during Regimental week with a reunion picnic and a memorial for the fallen soldiers the next day. The GSF events are sponsored by the MP Regimental Association (MPRA), which is a group that aims to take care of Soldiers and their families during times of need; and additionally they help support Regimental week in every capacity. It would not be successful without their support.

Regimental week also includes a 68 mile run to mark the 68th anniversary of the US Military Police Corps. The run starts at 6 pm on Wednesday, September 23 and lasts until 8 am the next day. Don’t worry; no single person will likely run all 68 miles. It’s similar to a relay with four people running four miles, and then the next group goes in to pick up miles five through eight, etcetera. On the next day, many people run in the event to finish it off. Regimental week concludes with some lighthearted fun. On Friday, September 25, the Regimental Golf Tournament will take place at 8 am, and the Regimental Ball will be on the evening of September 26. The winners of the Warfighter competition will also be in attendance at the Ball.

CPT Erickson coordinated all of the organizations involved with Regimental Week, including ensuring that there are facilities and land for every meeting. This is his first year as project manager. He began working on this event in May 2009. He has enjoyed the task of preparing for the event because he knows he has a hand in something as important as Regimental Week. He says he did not prepare for the event alone, and he says couldn’t do it without the help of all of the subject matter experts involved, including civilians.