Pfc. Sean Smith of the 554th Military Police Company spends some time with daughter Seanna, 9 months, during a deployment ceremony at Panzer Kaserne on May 15. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart)
STUTTGART, Germany — The clock is ticking for the soldiers of the 554th Military Police Company, who are counting down to a yearlong deployment near Afghanistan’s volatile border with Pakistan.
In the coming days, the roughly 160-member group will be shipping out. As their departure nears, the company is busy packing up and getting in some last-minute training. But for the most part, the barracks are clear as the troops spend some final quality time with family.
"That’s the hard part. Leaving family," said 1st Lt. Eric Luley.
The 554th will have its work cut out for it in Nangarhar province. The main focus of the mission will be training members of the Afghan National Police.
Throughout Afghanistan, getting the Afghan National Police properly trained has proven to be a challenge. Military programs such as the Focused District Development program — which enrolls police in eight-week sessions at regional training centers to provide training never received after joining the police — is one way the U.S. is trying to strengthen local security forces.
When the police are undertrained, the Afghan army oftentimes ends up doing work that police should be doing, MPs said. The 554th will be working to train the Afghans on basic rule of law issues, teaching techniques for searching vehicles and advising on how to conduct patrols and manage checkpoints.
The company has been getting itself prepared though mission-readiness exercises, which has helped the young soldiers learn about scenarios they’ll likely encounter.
"We’ve been training to do this the last seven months," Luley said.
Last week, the MP’s held their deployment ceremony at Panzer Kaserne, where soldiers and family members gathered for the ritual casing of the colors.
Staff Sgt. Joseph Naskell said he’s taking the upcoming mission in stride. "Nothing really bothers me about deploying," he said. But on second thought, Naskell added: "Except leaving family and friends."
For 1st Lt. Karmalita Irlmeier, the feelings are similar. Leaving her husband behind in Germany, where he will be away from family and friends in the States, is upsetting.
But at the same time, all the training has soldiers in a good position to accomplish the mission, she said. "We’re ready to go," Irlmeier said.
Added Luley: "I’m ready for it. It’s my turn"
