Transcript
Transcript
[Narrator] Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the United States Army, Military Police School, 2020 Regimental Hall of Fame Induction. All parts of this ceremony were conducted in accordance with the most recent COVID-19 guidelines. In 1992, the Military Police Regimental Association established the Military Police Regimental Hall of Fame, to recognize and honor former members of the Military Police Corp, who made significant contributions to the development of the regiment. Each year, the United States Army Military Police School, accepts nominations from across the world for induction into the Hall of Fame. A special selection board of past and present, senior members of the regiment convenes to review each nominee’s military service and merit. Selected nominees significantly contributed to the evolution and definition of the Military Police Corps character, doctrine, mission and or training. In certain instances, the selection recognizes exemplary or heroic actions. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s a distinct pleasure to introduce the Chief of the Military Police Corps Regiment and the Commandant of the United States Army Military Police School, Colonel Niave F. Knell.
Colonel Niave Knell here, 51st commandant. Today it’s my pleasure to announce the 2020 Regimental Hall of Fame winners. This is the largest group of recipients that we’ve had. We have eight total. They represent two of our compost. Hopefully next year we’ll represent all three. But we do represent three of the missions. We have the combat support MP mission, CID mission, and the corrections mission represented. Two of our recipients are winners for of Medals for Valor. All of our winners exemplify our motto of assist, protect and defend. And all continue to serve in some capacity. Either as volunteers or as DA civilians. We’re all very proud of our 2020 Hall of Fame inductees, and congratulations to them.
[Narrator] Today, We honor Brigadier General retired, John A. Hammond’s outstanding leadership and significant contribution to our Military Police Corps Regiment, our army and our nation. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to welcome, Command Sergeant Major retired Costa to introduce Brigadier General, Hammond.
I am Command Sergeant Major David Costa, a life long member of the Military Police Regiment, and former member of the 14th Military Police Brigade. I have the pleasure of introducing, Brigadier General, John A. Hammond to our regiment’s leadership and through the Regimental Hall of Fame. Brigadier General Hammond’s career, has spanned over 31 years. He has served in leadership assignments, both in Iraq and Afghanistan. Led soldiers performing disaster relief operations in New Orleans during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Written numerous articles for publications to include the dragoons. Brigadier General Hammond’s assignments include command for task force enforcer. A military police task force, (mumbles) to Fallujah, to address the ongoing uncertainty. His first night in Fallujah, he survived two ambushes on his command vehicle. And many more during the days to follow. Dragoons. I introduced Brigadier General, Johnny Hammond to our regiment and our Regimental Hall of Fame. Sir, Command Sergeant Major, executive director. Thank you. Of the troops for the troops.
[Narrator] Thank you, Sir Major. Brigadier General, John A. Hammond, served with distinction, Military Police Corps Regiment throughout a career spanning over 31 years. His combat service during operation Iraqi freedom as a commander of the 211th Military Police Battalion required him to simultaneously command two separate battalion level, combined arms task forces. General Hammond commanded at the 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade during the deployment and support of operation during freedom. General, Hammond is the only military police general officer to command a Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in combat. Since his retirement in 2012, General, Hammond has served as the executive director of Home-based, a Boston Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital, partnership program. In recognition of his truly significant achievements and exceptional contributions to our country and the United States Army Military Police Corps, Brigadier General retired, John A. Hammond is hereby inducted into the Military Police Corps Regimental Hall of Fame. By the order of the Chief of the Military Police Corps. General, Hammond is awarded with the Regimental Hall of Fame medallion, engraved with his name and years of service. The medallion carries a regimental crest along with a wooden regimental case. General Hammond is also receiving a Regimental Hall of Fame certificate of induction signed by the Chief of the Military Police Corps and a Regimental Hall of Fame Lapel Pin. Lastly, he will receive one of two bricks donated by the MPRA. The second brick will be placed at the MP Memorial Grove. Ladies and gentlemen, the newest inductee to the Regimental Hall of Fame, Brigadier General retired, John A. Hammond.
I’d like to begin my remarks today by thanking Brigadier General, Brian Besecker, Colonel Knell and the selection board, for extending this great honor to me. I would also like to thank Colonel Brett Conaway, Lieutenant-Colonel Brian (mumbles), Command Sergeant Major, Dave Costa, and the team of the 211th Military Police, for their efforts related to my nomination. The 211th MP Battalion on broken lineage, dates back to 1741. Its soldiers have served in five Wars and it’s course carry, 21 battle streamers. Col. John Hancock, previously commanded this great regiment. But more recent commanders like Brett Conaway and Brian (mumbles) and CSMs like Dave Costa and Bill Davidson, all who are veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, continue to lead this amazing regiment with distinction and honor. I enlisted into the 26th Infantry Division of the Massachusetts National Guard as a private 1981, while attending college at the University of Massachusetts. I completed basic training and OCS by the summer of ’83 and entered my senior year of college as a brand new second lieutenant from the Military Police Regiment. For more than three decades, 28 of which were an active duty. I had the honor to serve the United States Army and Army National Guard, through a broad range of operational assignments and military police, calvary and infantry. The training and experience I gained from this unconventional career provide me with a unique set of skills that enabled me to successfully contribute to our army during combat operations, leading three separate commands in Iraq and Afghanistan. I will forever be proud of the citizen soldiers, (mumbles) the Military Police Battalion, who left their homes and families on September 11th, 2001, and did not return home until 2003. They effectively served in all three campaigns in the global war on terrorism during this period. First, in the US in support of Operation Noble Eagle, securing seven US airports. Then in support of 18th Airborne Corps in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan. Finally, in Iraq, I had the good fortune to simultaneously command two separate battalion task forces within the Sunni Triangle. One in Balad in support a (mumbles), and the other 100 miles away in Fallujah supporting both the 3rd Infantry Division. And then the 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment. The soldiers of these extraordinary units, executed more than a hundred raids, captured tons of weapons and explosives, high value insurgence and stood up seven Iraqi police departments. The MP, soldiers and NCOs assigned to task force enforcer in Fallujah, fought from thin-skinned (mumbles) with no body armor, in the worst city in Iraq. We developed a number of innovative and new approaches to court on search missions and raids by integrating Aeroscout crews and mechanized units. The use of mobile checkpoints, counter intelligence teams and police intelligence, provided the information required to build an organized crime approach to eliminating the insurgent leadership. My soldiers fought with great valor, agility and innovation. And contributed greatly to the success of the victory core operations during and after the invasion of Iraq. For (mumbles) efforts in Iraq, in 2003, the 211th MP Battalion received two Valorous Unit Awards, to add to those amazing regimental colors. In 2010, I received my final orders for a command in Afghanistan and was promoted to Brigadier General by General David Petraeus in a small ceremony at ISAF headquarters. As the CG, of US Forces in Kabul province, I was able to implement a career of lessons learned in Counter Terrorism and Security Operations. Task force Yankee, was a multinational force of 5,000 troops, comprised of US, Mongolian, Albanian, Afghan soldiers. And was responsible for the security of 10 US basis and all the US forces operating in the capital province. In the fall of 2011, we responded to an 18 hour attack on the US embassy in ISAF headquarters. A mass casualty car bomb that killed 17 US and NATO troops. And transitioned security from Kabul province to the US NATO, from the US NATO forces, to the Afghan security forces As the first National Guard Officer, to be welcomed into this Hall of Fame, I wanted to provide you with some insight in what our careers can look like. As there are many officers and NCOs, with highly successful careers, worthy of your consideration in the future. As we all know, the strength of the army comes from its soldiers and the strength of our soldiers comes from its families. I want to thank my amazing wife, Colleen, who left the army as a captain and took on the incredible challenges of watching over our family during my deployments in many absences. I’d also like to thank and recognize my son, Shae, daughter, Kayla, and grandson, Wyatt, for all they have endured as military family members and for their continued support. Every leader worth a damn fully understands that a vision without resources is a hallucination. My greatest resource in the army has remained, the many soldiers and leaders who have served with me during peace in the war. Each of these men and women contribute greatly to any success that I’ve attained. I watched with great pride as many young officers and NCOs, those who served with me, back in the 211th, from 2001 to 2004 and have now become 1st sergeants and sergeants major, battalion and brigade commanders. And one officer even reached the two-star rank and served as deputy commanding general from the 101st Airborne, during the most recent deployment to Afghanistan. We live in a rapidly changing and unstable world with global disorder and a broad array of conventional and hybrid threats. We now operate at the speed of thought and communicate at the speed of light. The uncertainty of future threats in this high speed global environment, requires we develop agile and adaptive leaders who can anticipate the calculus that determines, navigate complex decisions, within compressed periods of time and balance the unpredictable requirements of our national security, in order to engage these challenges. I look forward with great anticipation to see this next generation of MP leaders, bring the regiment to the next level during these challenging times. Of the troops for the troops.
[Narrator] Thank you, General Hammond. Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, Brigadier General Hammond’s photo, is being unveiled on the Hall of Fame wall, signifying his induction into the Military Police Regimental Hall of Fame. [Narrator] Ladies and gentlemen, please join us for the playing of the Military Police Corps Regimental March, and the Army Song. (instrumental music) ‚ô™ We are the Regiment ‚ô™ ‚ô™ that ‘Of the Troops’ was born ‚ô™ ‚ô™ We are the Regiment ‚ô™ ‚ô™ that ‘Of the Troops’ was formed ‚ô™ ‚ô™ Military Police Corps in peace and war is ‚ô™ ‚ô™ there! To Assist, Protect, Defend our own no ‚ô™ ‚ô™ matter when or where ‚ô™ (instrumental music) ‚ô™ March along, sing our song, ‚ô™ ‚ô™ With the Army of the free ‚ô™ ‚ô™ Count the brave, count the true ‚ô™ ‚ô™ who have fought to victory ‚ô™ ‚ô™ We’re the Army and proud of our name ‚ô™ ‚ô™ We’re the Army and proudly proclaim ‚ô™ ‚ô™ First to fight for the right ‚ô™ ‚ô™ And to build the nation’s might ‚ô™ ‚ô™ And the Army goes rolling along ‚ô™ ‚ô™ Proud of all we have done ‚ô™ ‚ô™ Fighting till the battle’s won ‚ô™ ‚ô™ And the Army goes rolling along ‚ô™ ‚ô™ Then it’s hi! hi! hey! ‚ô™ ‚ô™ The Army’s on its way ‚ô™ ‚ô™ Count off the cadence loud and strong ‚ô™ ‚ô™ For where’er we go ‚ô™ ‚ô™ You will always know ‚ô™ ‚ô™ That the Army goes rolling along ‚ô™
Ladies and gentlemen, Thank you for watching the virtual induction ceremony for Brigadier General retired, John A. Hammond until the 2020, Military Police Regimental Hall of Fame.