Protecting the force: Army MP Corps to celebrate 85 years during regimental week

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Protecting the force: Army MP Corps to celebrate 85 years during regimental week

FORT LEONARD WOOD, MISSOURI, UNITED STATES

08.27.2026

Story by Ryan Thompson 

Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — TheU.S. Army Military Police Schoolis preparing to celebrate 85 years of the U.S. Army Military Police Corps from Sept. 21 to 25, 2026, during regimental week at Fort Leonard Wood.
This year’s regimental theme is, “The Year of Protection.”

“Military Police are fundamental to readiness and foundational to the fight. MPs create and maintain the environment so <a href="https://healthylife7.com/tsc-helps-mi-soldiers-sharpen-combat-lifesaving-skills/” title=”TSC helps MI Soldiers sharpen combat lifesaving skills”>Soldiers, families and civilians can thrive, so commanders can make decisions, and so our forces can accomplish their mission,” USAMPS Commandant Col. Rob Rodock said

Rodock said he picked this year’s theme to create a shared understanding of what MPs do and why they do it.
“Shared understanding leads to unity of effort,” Rodock said. “Unity of effort enables seizing and maintaining the initiative.”

This year’s events are scheduled to include:

• MP Memorial Tribute, Sept. 21: The ceremony is set to begin at 10 a.m., at MP Memorial Grove. In case of inclement weather, the tribute will be held at the Main Post Chapel.
• Regimental Retreat, Sept. 21: The retreat is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., at Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Plaza.
• Order of the Crossed Pistols event, Sept. 22: MP spouses and family members are invited to participate in a day of MP activities starting with an opening ceremony at 6:30 a.m., at the 14th MP Brigade, Bldg. 889A. Some activities planned for this year include the Army Physical Fitness Test, an obstacle course, weapons qualification and sessions focused on MP law enforcement training. For more information, contact calista.a.agmata.mil@army.mil.
• Regimental Run, Sept. 23: Runners are planning to take off at 5:30 a.m., from Gammon Field. Participants are asked to be in formation by 5 a.m.
• Honors Award Presentation, Sept. 24: USAMPS will recognize exceptional members of the MP Corps team during a presentation at 9 a.m., in Lincoln Hall Auditorium.
• Regimental Ball, Sept. 25: The week’s activities will conclude with a regimental ball at 6 p.m., at Nutter Field House.

In addition to these activities, MPs are organizing a motorcycle ride, and golf and pickle ball tournaments

Sgt. 1st Class Danny Manganaan, USAMPS Directorate of Plans and Operations noncommissioned officer, said he is most looking forward to the Order of the Crossed Pistols event

“This particular event is special because it offers our family members a unique opportunity to actively participate and gain firsthand experience of what a day is like for a MP Soldier,” he said. “This event not only strengthens our connection to the military community but also provides valuable insight into the training and preparation that MP Soldiers undergo.”

Prior to regimental week, USAMPS plans to hold the MP Warfighter Competition, set to kickoff Sept. 14 with a Know Your MP event and nonstandard physical fitness test at 9:45 a.m., in Waynesville’s Roubidoux Park

The four-day competition is designed to test the abilities of MPs in a variety of military occupational skill-specific tasks, as well as their mental and physical fitness

The winners are scheduled to be announced at 10 a.m., Sept. 18 during an award ceremony at Lincoln Hall Auditorium

USAMPS Command Sgt. Maj. James Rutherford expressed anticipation for the upcoming competition, noting that it draws the elite MP Soldiers to Fort Leonard Wood to put their skills to the ultimate test

“It is much more than a competition; it allows us to assess exactly where we stand as a regiment through a grueling, rigorous competition,” he said. “Seeing our MPs test their tactical and technical proficiency in this environment is incredibly inspiring and show cases the true grit of our regiment.”

For Rutherford, the competition and MP Regimental Week serve as a “powerful reminder” that he is a part of something much bigger than himself

“MP Regimental Week is a vital opportunity for us to pause, reflect on our storied history and reconnect with the legacy of the MP Corps,” he said. “For me, and for the entire regiment, it is about honoring the sacrifices of those who came before us while forging stronger bonds among our current generation of MPs.”

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