The Lifeblood of the Battalion and its Companies

        Not everyone assigned to the Battalion was an MP with a 95B Military Occupational Specialty, (MOS). Many of the soldiers had specialized training in the fields of weapons, vehicle maintenance, personnel, finance, food services, clerical, administration, communications, supply, etc.

        These personnel were found in not only the Headquarters Detachment but also in all three organic companies of the battalion. Their specialized training was crucial to the daily operations of each unit.

        There were also many instances when the shortages of personnel in specialized fields, such as clerical, personnel, automotive, etc. would require a company or the battalion to review personnel files and reassign MPs that had experience in a particular or related civilian field prior to entering military service.

        When the battalion first arrived in Vietnam in October 1966 there were no personnel or finance specialist attached. Headquarters Detachment had to reassign MPs from the companies with civilian experience in those or related fields to handle the shortage while request for military trained specialist were passed up the chain of command.

        In 1967 when the battalion received its first V100 Commando Cars and Armored Personnel Carriers. MPs who had previous experience (no matter how limited) in operating heavy equipment were reassigned to be driver/instructors and repairmen until the situation could be remedied through the official channels.

        MPs with prior administrative or clerical experience were reassigned as battalion or company clerks. Those with automotive mechanical experience would be reassigned to the motor pool.

        At times the reassignment would be temporary until a fully qualified replacement could be found, and there were other times when it became permanent.

        There were also instances in which men with an MOS in a specialized field other than 95B (Military Police) officially requested an MOS change and were retrained "on-the-job" to become Military Policemen.

        There are also situations where an MPs civilian occupational experience in the fields of carpentry, electrician, plumbing, welding, would be utilized on a temporary basis for special projects within their company or the battalion.

        Each was an important part of the whole, each was necessary for the unit to function. If the soldiers that provided the needed support services failed do their jobs you couldn't start yours.

        And, like any other unit, in those instances when a situation became critical, regardless of MOS, each soldier grabbed a weapon and joined ranks for the defense of the battalion. There were many instances where these soldiers filled in the ranks of the field units when needed, and most did it as volunteers which shows you their dedication and commitment to the battalion and their specific companies.

        They were all important to the mission and proud history of the 720th Military Police Battalion in Vietnam.

        "The 720th MP Battalion Viet Nam History Project is interested in hearing from the men that worked them and telling their stories on this website." Their names are carried in their respective unit rosters.

        If you served in a support function that has not been listed, please pass along the information via the Email Link at the top of any attached page.