CSM(R) Jonathan Godwin inductions to the U.S. Army Military Police Hall of Fame. Due to COVID restrictions, this year’s ceremony was conducted in a virtual setting.
Transcript
[Announcer] 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 Corps, who made significant contributions to the development of the Regimen. 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 nominees, 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, this election recognizes the exemplary or heroic actions. Ladies and gentlemen, it is 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 Neve F. Nail.
I’m Colonel Neve F. Nail your 51st commandant and 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 composts. 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 of metals, 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.
[Announcer] Today, we honor Command SAR Major retired, Jonathan Godwin’s outstanding leadership and significant contributions to our Military Police Corps Regiment, our army and our nation. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to welcome Mr. Greg Thompson to introduce Command SAR Major retired Jonathan Godwin.
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, leaders, members, veterans, families, and friends of the Military Police Corps Regimen. First, it’s a privilege for me to be here today to take part in this ceremony, recognizing these leaders and their contributions to our Regimen and for me particularly the distinct honor to introduce our next Hall of Fame inductee, Command Sergeant Major Jonathan Godwin. Before I do so, I want to congratulate each of today’s inductees and their families for their distinguished service to this Regimen, the Army and our Nation. Despite the many varied experiences of everyone participating here, places, units, people even errors. The regimen is our common source of pride and in that shared experience as US Army Military Police, we joined each awardee today to reflect upon and celebrate, your contributions and your careers. I want to extend a special welcome and congratulations to Jonathan’s family, his wife, Donna, and their children’s Scott, Candice and Kayla. Jonathan met Donna in the summer of 1975 at a muscular dystrophy, skate-a-thon in Sumpter, South Carolina. They were sweethearts throughout middle school, junior high and high school, and started their Army story together by getting married on the 1st of October, 1983 in Anniston Alabama, while Jonathan was on an off post pass during AIT, as Jonathan often says, “Ever since that summer of 1975, we’ve been holding hands and skating together through life.” The Godwin family have earned together an incredible legacy of contribution to our Army and service to the countless Army units and families. I have no doubt this extended network of Godwin family and friends will join us in this virtual celebration. Today as we recognize Jonathan, we also celebrate you and thank you for your support. Jonathan entered the army after high school on 16, June, 1983, attended NPO at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and followed on to Fort Shafter Hawaii, where his first assignment was that the Pearl Harbor Navy Brig. In the 32 year career that followed, Jonathan earned and enjoys an incredible legacy of service and leadership to the regimen coordinated by his final assignment as the Command Sergeant Major for Army Corrections Command in Washington DC and his retirement from active duty in July of 2015. Over the course of his service, Jonathan Godwin directly influenced and fundamentally changed how the army trained planned and executed detention and corrections missions across the force. Jonathan served with distinction at every position from MP team member to Drill Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant First Sergeant and of course Command Sergeant Major. During his time he served, trained, mentored and led military police soldiers of every rank across our formations and these many positions, he would come to be recognized as one of the Army’s foremost experts in military corrections and enemy detention and would be called upon often for his leadership in times of both crisis and change. There are a multitude of highlights and achievements that Command Sergeant Major Godwin’s illustrious career altogether is an impressive testimony of dedication and service. It is punctuated of course, by his selection as the Command Sergeant Major for Army Corrections Command from 2012 to 2015. The highest ranking corrections noncommissioned officer in the army. In this role, he influenced 31 ECO opportunities and positions within special operations and led the development of inter-agency positions for senior 31 ECO in CO’s in the US Marshall service. He was a driving force and directly responsible for renaming the 31 ECO career field from internment and resettlement specialist to corrections and detention specialist. He was instrumental in Army corrections command and its subordinate facilities receiving a 100% compliance rating with the American Correctional Association and being named as one of only 18 correctional systems worldwide to achieve the ACA’s Golden Eagle Award. During his career other achievements stand out as it substitutes of his many contributions to the Regimen. He activated train and developed a one station unit training company, echo 787 at Fort Leonard wood, Missouri, where he served as the units First Sergeant. Before being selected to serve again for two other companies. At Fort Lewis, Washington, he converted the 704th MP Battalion from a TDA into an intro unit, the 508th MP Battalion, and then deployed them to OIF, to successfully perform a vital detention operations mission. He activated, trained and developed the seven 96 MP Battalion at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri during its time on active duty in 2007 and 2008, the Battalion would stand up seven companies and train over 5,000 soldiers. It would lead and develop training procedures still in use today and enjoy a camaraderie and a spree decor that absolutely still exist today. Command SAR Major Godwin will go on to lead both the 14th MP Brigade at Fort Leonard Wood and the 15th MP Brigade at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Command SAR Major Godwin was instrumental in the activation of Army Corrections Brigade and then the re-designation of that brigade as the 15th. Command SAR Major Godwin is singularly responsible for the 15th MP Brigade’s a special designation as the Griffins. Still today, he serves and leads in the corrections field with the US Navy where he serves as the Senior Correctional Program Specialist for The Office of Navy Corrections and Programs. But it was during what was perhaps our Regiment’s darkest hour that Jonathan’s leadership and expertise was needed most and where his service shined most bright in the wake of the Abu Ghraib scandal. Then First Sergeant Godwin was hand selected by the Provo Marshall General’s office to form and lead a 30 soldier team. Their mission was to deploy to Iraq for 120 days and provide vital detention operations trading to 27 coalition units over 1,350 soldiers at 18 different locations in a hostile fire environment. And the conduct of that mission, they set the standard for detention operations in theater shaped the future of detention for the Army. And in many ways, serve to reverse the impact and narrative of the Abu Ghraib experience on our Regiment, our Army and our Nation. We, the Regiment and our collective members cannot overstate nor forget the immediate impact and the strategic importance to the Army and our Nation that Command Sergeant Major Godwin and this team of 30 military police soldiers performed on all of our behalf. It is without question a testimony of the singular impact that a single noncommissioned officer leading a team of professional soldiers can have on the strategic outcome of an Army at war or on the welfare of the soldiers in the conduct of that war. And most importantly, on the lasting legacy and the history of our Regiment. After that experience supporting 16th MP Brigade, Jonathan would go on to serve in multiple leadership positions across Iraq, including the commandant of the Theater Internment Facility at Camp Bucca in 2004 and 2005, and later as the Strategic Interment Facility, Sergeant Major at Fort Suse, Iraq in 2006. Later in 2006, he joined the 96th MP Battalion United States Army Reserve as the Battalion Command Sergeant Major at Camp Cropper, Iraq overseeing operations at the remembrance to TIF. It is this incredible legacy of leadership commitment and his unquestioned expertise and experience in army detention operations that has so rightly earned him the title as the godfather of detention operations, the title, the accolades, and most certainly this distinct honor that we present to Command Sergeant Major today, Sergeant Major Godwin today, our well earned in time, sweat, tears, blood, and of course, many moments of great joy and friendship. And as we reflect on command, Sergeant Major Godwin’s influence and impact on our soldiers, families, senior leaders, and teammates of The Regimen. It becomes clear to each of us that his legacy and contribution to the story history of our Military Police Regiment stands out. He has done so in typical Jonathan Godwin fashion, humbly redirecting praise and accolades to his soldiers, his leaders, or his civilian teammates or his and other families, but today is Jonathan’s day. And it is for all of these reasons that I very proudly introduce to you, my very good friend and our newest inductee into the United States Army Military Police Hall of Fame, Command Sergeant Major Jonathan O. Godwin. Thank you.
[Announcer] Thank you, sir. Command SAR Major retired, Jonathan Godwin, distinguished himself through outstanding leadership and exceptionally meritorious service over a 32 year career in positions of increasing responsibility, culminating as the Command SAR Major of the Army Corrections Command while deployed, he led a team to begin correcting EPW atrocities of the global war terrorism. These efforts evolved into how detention operation missions are conducted today. Throughout his various deployments Command SAR Major Godwin assisted senior leadership with detainee policy implementation and became recognized as the leading subject matter expert in detention operations frequently being referred to as the godfather detainee operations. Command SAR Major Godwin was responsible for renaming the military occupational specialty 31 ECO highlighting the two critical missions. SAR Major Godwin was instrumental in an extensive BCT mission, essential task list, crosswalk with detention operations that dramatically improved training for future generations of military police. Since retirement SAR Major Godwin continues to serve with the corrections community. As a member of the Navy Personnel Command. He remains a model of lifetime service who continues to have tremendous and positive impact to the Army Corrections and Military Police Corps and recognition of his truly significant achievements and exceptional contributions to our country and the United States Army Military Police Corps Command Sergeant Major retired Jonathan Godwin is hereby inducted into the Military Police Corps, Regimental Hall of Fame by the order of the chief of Military Police Corps. So our major Godwin is awarded with the Regimental Hall of Fame medallion engraved with his name and years of service. The medallion carries the regimental crest along with a wooden regimental case. SAR Major Godwin 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 received one of two bricks donated by the NPRA. The second brick will be placed at the MP Memorial Grove. Ladies and gentlemen, the newest inductee to the Regimental Hall of Fame Command SAR Major retired Jonathan, O. Godwin.
Hello everyone. Donna and I would much rather be at the home of the Regiment delivering this message in person, for we all know safety has no quitting time and with COVID-19 safety is a top priority. First I’d like to thank the Regimental Command Team and the Hall of Fame board for my selection for induction into the United States Army Military Police Corps, Regimental Hall of Fame, class of 2020. Besides being totally shocked and amazed at my selection for such a prestigious honor. I am also very humbled to be inducted in such an elite group of true warriors, heroes, pioneers, visionaries, innovators, game changers, and that list goes on and on. I am an all that my name, thought it was story. It will be right there alongside such a legendary and extra ordinary people. When the list of names was first published, to those for induction at the, this year’s Hall of Fame, my phone and email metaphorically blew up from nonstop calls, texts, and messages of personal congratulations. My consistent and very sincere response was thank you for everything that you did to make this selection happen. Thank you for carrying me and allowing me to ride your coat tail. So acceptance of such prestigious recognition is not individual, but rather collective. So on behalf of all of those great leaders, warriors, soldiers, families, and friends who carried me, assisted me, and abled me. We collectively the 95 Charlie in 31 ECO MOS’s, the great Army and MP officers, NCO’s soldiers, families, and friends. We are humbled and honored with our induction into the MP Hall of Fame. I have pondered out a few accomplishments in simply doing my job for the MP Corp. The Army and the Nation has somehow culminated into such great magnitude. The only conclusion that I’ve come to is besides being lucky as heck, I’ve learned a few lessons and I’ve learned them pretty well. That this very day I can hear my daddy tell me, “Son, the only place you’ll find success before work is in the dictionary.” And he’d also say, “You know, the difference between ordinary and extraordinary ,is that little extra.” Daddy retired from the army when I was real little. So growing up as a kid, I knew exactly what I wanted to be. My daddy was and even though he’s no longer on this earth with us today, he is still a significant influencer in my life and the architect behind my character, my core by using my ethics. From the very beginning of my Army career, I’ve been fortunate to be exposed to and led by some extra ordinary people. And like my daddy, they mentored me, taught me and schooled me. They called me not only to know my soldiers creed, drill sergeants creed, NCO creed, but they demanded that I not just memorize the words, but internalize and understand the true meaning of those creeds and they can go out and apply them. This translated, not just into accomplishment of the mission, but it was accomplished with a little extra while taking care of soldiers and families. I remember being told, “You know, Gee, the key to success is to surround yourself with good competent people, empower them to do their job, then get the hell out of the way and let them do it.” He’d say, “Don’t cheat yourself, Gee.” And then he’d continue to say, “When you get what you want in your struggle for self and the world makes you King for a day, then go through the mirror and take a look at yourself and see what that guy has to say, for it isn’t your father, your mother, your brother, your sister, or anyone on whose judgment you must pass. But the guy whose verdict counts most in your life is the one staring back from the glass. He’s the fellow to please, and nevermind all the risks and you’ve passed your most dangerous and difficult tests. If the guy in the glass is your friend, then he’s with you clean to the end.” Now you may be like Jack Horner when he pulled out a plumbing. Thank you’re such a wonderful guy, but the guy in the glass says you’re a bump if you can’t look him straight in the eye. Now you may fool the whole world and a pathway of years and get pats on the back as you pass. But your final reward will be heartache and tears. If you’ve cheated the guy in the glass. So don’t teach yourself Gee. I’m a little reluctant to even try to mention names in this message because I’m certain I’ll leave out so many people that have significant impacts on my career and will huge interpreters to this recognition. To those that I miss, I’m truly sorry. As I look back, how could I have been cheated when I was surrounded, exposed to great leaders, warriors and soldiers like Mike Beckham, Tim Waterford, Josh Perry, Rick Hansen, Mark Farley, Jeff Butler, Barry Oaks, Mike Barney, Chris Mueller, Greg Lowe, Tracy Williams, Phil Tacket, Jay Droughty, Mark Lamav, Mike Klein, Dan Pliley, Jane Sarah, Tracy Maxmill, Anthony Simmons, Steve Hansen, Robert Covex. How could I have been cheated when I had the privilege of being battle buddies with the likes of Greg Thompson, Eric Belcher, Dave Quantock and Mark Hench. There is simply no way to be cheated and no way anyone could not have been successful when exposed to, and sometimes surrounded by the caliber of great Americans and warriors like that. Thank you all. Lastly, but always first is the Godwin family, my beautiful children, Scott, Candice, and Kayla. You have endured and sacrificed a whole lot as military breaths, but that has made you into the great, wonderful, successful, and beautiful people you are today. I am so very proud of each one of you and thank for making me strive to be the absolute best for you. And finally, to my best friend, the mother of my children, the love of my life and my soul mate, we make an awesome and unstoppable team. We have accomplished so very much together and made a tremendous difference everywhere we’ve gone. Well, baby, look what we’ve gone and done now. So with great pride and humility, the Godwin family is honored by the induction, into United States Army Military Police Corps, Regimental Hall of Fame, class of 2020, assist, protect, defend. God bless you, this great nation, stay safe, healthy and well. Thank you.
[Announcer] Thank you SAR Major Godwin. Ladies and gentlemen at this time, Command SAR Major Godwin’s photo was being unveiled on the Hall of Fame wall, signifying his induction into the Military Police Regimental Hall of Fame. Ladies and gentlemen, please join us for the playing of the Military Police Corps Regimental March, and The Army Song. (high intensity band music) ‚ô™ We are the Regiment ‚ô™ ‚ô™ That of the troops was born ‚ô™ ‚ô™ We are the Regiment ‚ô™ ‚ô™ That for the Troops was formed ‚ô™ ‚ô™ Military Police Corps ‚ô™ ‚ô™ In peace and war is there ‚ô™ ‚ô™ To assist, protect, defend our own ‚ô™ ‚ô™ No matter when or where ‚ô™ ( high intensity band music) ‚ô™ March along, sing a song, 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™
[Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for watching the virtual induction ceremony for Command SAR Major retired, Johnathan O. Godwin into the 2020 Military Police Regimental Hall of Fame.