7 October - Bosnia-Herzegovina The 410th MP Company deployed with the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, who assumed authority of the Multi National Division (North) area of operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina from the 1st Armored Division. The 1st Cavalry Division was the first Continental Army United States (CONUS) based division to assume the mission.

    The 1st Cavalry mission was to conduct operations to enforce the military provisions previously set forth by the Dayton Accords and enforced under Implementation Force IFOR/ Stabilization Force SFOR, Operations Joint Endeavor and Joint Guard, 1996-1997.

     During their tour, the 410th MP Company picked up the call sign of “VIPER” because the 1st Calvary Division already had a unit with the BRAVO call sign. The 410th logo was also updated to add a viper to the company crest to reflect this chapter in the company history.

Exact Date Unknown - Eagle Base, Bosnia 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 PFC Ronald L. Bostic, a military police officer in the with the 410th Military Police Company and a resident of Homestead, FL. “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.

     “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 SPC Benjamin J. Cox, a military police officer in the 410th and a resident of Luverne, MN. “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). “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. “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 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.

Exact Date Unknown Camp McGovern, Bosnia Stabilization Force soldiers face risks as a part of their peacekeeping mission. It’s simply part of the job of the soldier. Riots and civil disturbances present a special and dangerous hazard to SFOR soldiers. Although not frequent, soldiers must be trained and ready to face civil unrest at any time and in any place outside Camp McGovern.

     The course is a way of ensuring soldiers know what to do if they face a violent crowd while on patrol, according to SSG James B. Pacheco a native of East Providence, R.I., a squad leader with 1st Platoon, 410th Military Police Company, and a riot control instructor. “Every soldier that’s going to be outside the wire is required to take this class.” Training consists of different postures, striking techniques and types of formations. “It’s just another tool in the box they have to use.”

     According to Pacheco, professional appearance is one of the most important factors in riot control. “It’s important to show the crowd we know what we’re doing. If we can form up and disperse the crowd with a show of force, then that’s what we’re going to. If not, we have to do what we have to do, and we’ll be ready to do it.”

     Pacheco who is no stranger to crowd control, said he enjoys being an instructor. “My motivation is knowing that I am able to make a difference. I like seeing the troops go from good to exceptional.” “This training has been drilled into my head so many times, it’s just second nature to me. If you asked me to go execute a riot control mission right now, I could handle it.”

     He seeks to give the Camp McGovern soldiers he instructs the same experience and confidence. “The first time you go into a live riot shouldn’t be the first time you have done the maneuvers.” To ensure his soldiers get the most out of his class, he strives to make it interesting. “I don’t want to give them a seminar. I want them to learn something, and I have to see results when I teach.”

     Pacheco said one way he measures results is by how well he can hear after the class. “I like the soldiers motivated, and yelling and screaming the words. By verbalizing, it increases the motivation tenfold. It also helps the soldiers enjoy the class, and they learn more because of it.” He also likes to step aside at some point to let the class practice what they’ve learned, and he won’t release them until they are able to perform the task without the guidance of an instructor. To him, this is the final exam for his class. When they complete the maneuvers flawlessly, he knows they are ready.