"Crossing the streets with the 410th Military Police Company"
Bosnia-Herzegovina, December 1998

        Maintaining high volumes of traffic, controlling pedestrian walkways and checking every vehicle in and out of four-corners next to the Eagle Base 'White House' is just part of the job of the 410th Military Police Company.

"When we see a vehicle we look for the bumper number. After that we look to see if it’s listed on one of our access rosters," said Private First Class Ronald L. Bostic, a military police officer in the with the 410th Military Police Company and a resident of Homestead, Fla. "If there is a problem with access of a vehicle it has to be approved by the Base Defense Center. We then allow the vehicle to proceed through the gate. We do the same procedure if there is any question on a person’s identification card too," he added.

"Civilian vehicles have to be checked more than our military vehicles because of the cargo they may be carrying and the personnel driving them. We deal with every kind of civilian vehicle from chow hall delivery trucks to Brown and Root construction dump trucks and fork lifts," said Bostic.

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"The biggest problem we have is our list of hours this gate is closed to through traffic. Traffic is usually the busiest between meal times," said Specialist Benjamin J. Cox, a military police officer in the 410th and a resident of Luverne, Minnesota. "Being out here you have to know not only how to direct traffic, but also know who has the right of way. Pedestrians always have the right of way," said Cox. Coalition vehicles and troops are constantly coming through the gate and there are certain access rosters for these vehicles, especially here in Multinational Division (North). "When we have to we will actually get out in the street and use our hand and arm signals to make sure traffic is flowing in a timely manner," said Cox.

"The hardest thing about this job is safety, making sure there are no accidents. I pay close attention to large vehicles, especially flatbed trucks, which are long and need a lot of room to turn corners," said Bostic.

The 410th is always on duty and they have two MPs working 12-hour shifts. They fall under the Eagle Base Provost Marshall and it’s a 24 hour, seven days a week operation. The biggest thing the MPs stress is safety, and being aware of the surrounding environment. Soldiers must play their part to keep MND (N) a safe environment.

“The hardest thing about this job is safety -- making sure there are no accidents.”

Edited from , "Crossing the streets with the 410th Military Police Company," Interview of PFC Ronald L. Bostic and SPC Benjamin J. Cox, 410th MP Company, Story and photo by, SFC Donald R. Dunn, II, 319th Mobile Public Affairs Det. Talon, Friday, November 6, 1998, Page 10