JUNE 19, 2023 – On June 6, 2023, leadership from the 200th Military Police Command stood shoulder to shoulder with military police leadership from multiple countries in Hannover, Germany to celebrate “10 Years of Bundeswehr Military Police Command.”
The Feldjaeger, as the German Military Police Command is known, hosted its ten-year anniversary celebration with a wreath-laying ceremony, the German Military Police Day parade, an action-packed, explosive-filled exhibition of tactical law enforcement prowess, and a summer party for attendees.
“The Feldjaeger is a first-class organization,” said Brig. Gen. Vance Kuhner, deputy commanding general of the 200th Military Police Command. “They add muscle and competence that our alliance requires to thwart aggression from anyone who wants to destroy freedom, democracy, law and order.”
“Today was so complete,” added Brig. Gen. Kuhner, who, as a civilian, serves as the northeast Special Agent in Charge for United States Customs and Border Protection. “Appropriately, we started our day by solemnly remembering our German military police who gave their lives in service. We need to remember them as we as allies serve and protect our citizens.”
The pageantry also amazed Brig. Gen. Kuhner. “The parade was splendid, and that Bundeswehr band [the Heeresmusikkorps Hannover] is the absolute best military band I’ve ever heard.”
The Feldjaeger’s demonstration of law enforcement and tactical support proved they can bring lethal force to any nefarious actors who dare attempt to interrupt route security.
“It was truly a privilege to watch the Feldjaeger’s demonstration,” said 1st Lt. Sean Kalletta, a 200th Military Police Command soldier who, as a civilian, serves as a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team police officer in Suffolk County, New York. In the demonstration, he noticed technique similarities to policing in the states. “It reminded me of the importance of why we in the Military Police Corps need to train with our allies.”
“I am honored to have been given the opportunity to participate in the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the German Bundeswehr Military Police Command,” said Sgt. Maj. Anthony Kresta, a commander with the Carrollton (Texas) Police Department serving on extended active duty, who serves as the operations sergeant major for the 200th Military Police Command. “The professionalism demonstrated was unmatched by anything I have seen in my forty-year career.”
Orchestrating the entire event was Brig. Gen. Sandro Wiesner, commander of the Bundeswehr Military Police Command.
“It is no coincidence that so many companions from the political sector, military, police, and civilian partners from Germany and abroad, active duty and reserve personnel, the German Military Police Association, and retired personnel and friends of the German MP are going to celebrate this special day in Hannover with the rest of us,” said Brig. Gen. Wiesner, before the ceremony.
During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Wiesner quoted 19th-Century Prussian field marshal Helmuth von Moltke, stating, “When one issued an order to a Feldjaeger, one was safe.” Brig. Gen. Wiesner further metaphorized, “In our house the lights are on 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days all year long. We are and will always be highly responsive.”
“The 200th Military Police Command looks forward to more training opportunities with the military police commands who serve countries dedicated to protecting freedom from tyranny,” added Brig. Gen. Vance Kuhner. “Just as a football team doesn’t meet in the locker room right before the big match, our military forces ought not meet moments before crisis. We should train together, and we will continuously train together so that together we can defeat our adversaries.”
“We thank Brig. Gen. Sandro Wiesner for his leadership,” added Brig. Gen. Kuhner. “We met great Military Policemen this week from Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Lithuania, Austria and the Netherlands who are dedicated to preserving law and order. We stand shoulder to shoulder with them.”
Headquartered at Fort Meade, Maryland and consisting of over 12,000 soldiers, the 200th Military Police Command conducts mission command for all assigned and attached units conducting or supporting military police operations. The 200th Military Police Command integrates capabilities from all three military police disciplines: police operations, detention operations, and security and mobility support.
By Lt. Col. Dante Brown