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Return to First Friday Briefing
48th Brigade MP Platoon Stands Out, By 2nd Lt. Selena Owens
The soldiers of the 48th Brigade Military Police Platoon patrolled the halls and secured the perimeter
of the “Being present during this conference gives us exposure,
and it also lets the civilians know how seriously we take our jobs,” said Spc. Donald Helms, a soldier in the unit and a Dodge County Deputy Sheriff. Soldiers, and spouses, filled the rooms of the Renaissance and listened attentively to speakers such
as Maj. Gen. David B. Poythress, the Adjutant General of Georgia, and Ron Young, a former Iraqi Prisoner and Lithia Springs native The soldiers of the 48th Brigade Military Police Platoon patrolled up and down the floors of the hotel
to make sure all was well and that nothing would interrupt the conference. Armed with their 9mm pistols, the MP’s were ready for any problems that may arise. “During any event with the Georgia Guard, you can rest assured that you won’t have to worry or be
concerned that something will happen, we will be there to ease any and all worries,” said Sgt 1st Class, Emory Kendrick, of Macon, and the platoon’s top enlisted soldier. Although people may wonder why the MP’s need to be armed during an event like a family readiness
conference, soldiers have learned you have to stay alert to stay alive. Kendrick says, “You never know what kind of people you may encounter. Something really nice can turn
into something ugly if someone comes in and acts erratic.” And if somebody does, the 48th MP platoon is ready. “We can handle the situation without anyone even knowing what happened, he said. “We help the
mission go as smoothly as possible.” Kendrick, employed with the Bibb County Sheriff Department, knows security and safety go hand in hand. “Our presence gives the conference attendees and their families a sense of security and it allows
them the opportunity to conduct missions without any concern for safety.” The MPs had the hotel covered with roving patrols, and made Guard soldiers and airmen feel safe
throughout the conference. “I felt comforted to know there was a great sense of security,” said 2nd Lt. William Phillips,
program manager for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. If you paid attention as you walked through the building there was definitely a presence of security. “A visual deterrent makes people feel safe, and the person who’s thinking about doing something
crazy thinks twice, knowing that trained professionals are around,” said Spc. Robert Cash, of Augusta. Spc. Patricia Moore from That’s 48th’s MP platoon, standing out from the crowd and providing security.
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Everyone
dressed in either civilian clothes or Class B Uniforms, however one group stood out from the rest wearing camouflaged uniforms and pistols on their sides.