CSM James W. Rutherford

Command Sergeant Major James W. Rutherford, Regimental Command Sergeant Major of the Military Police Regiment.

Teammates, as I mark my first year serving as your Regimental Command Sergeant Major, I find myself reflecting on the incredible work being done across our formations. More than anything, I want to use this opportunity to express how profoundly proud I am of our Military Police Soldiers. Every single day, you demonstrate the grit, professionalism, and dedication that make our Regiment an indispensable part of the Army’s warfighting capability.

Across the globe, I see our Military Police Professionals excelling in every facet of our mission. You are executing complex law enforcement operations that keep our communities safe and secure. You are maintaining order and discipline within our corrections facilities with unmatched professionalism. Most importantly, you are aggressively training and preparing for Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO), proving that our Regiment is ready for the crucible of modern combat. MPs from every component have alerted and deployed on short notice to achieve our national objectives including at the southern border, in support of interagency partners, and to support requirements for Operation Epic Fury. The work you do is not easy, but you execute it flawlessly and demonstrate a high level of readiness.

Everything we do as a Regiment is anchored fundamentally in the Protection framework. We are not just a supporting element; we are a decisive enabler. For the Senior Mission Commander, we exist to build readiness and ensure the Army can rapidly transition to war. In an era where we must assume a contested homeland, our Military Police Soldiers are the key to helping the Senior Mission Commander fight off the installation and secure the Strategic Support Area. We ensure that the combat power generated at home station can safely and effectively deploy to wherever the nation requires it.

That mission extends relentlessly forward. For the Maneuver Commander, our purpose is clear: we exist to help them sustain, fight, and win. From the Operational Support Area all the way to the Forward Line of Own Troops, Military Police provide the necessary protection and freedom of maneuver required for our maneuver forces to dominate the enemy in LSCO. Whether it is route regulation, straggler control, detainee operations, or securing critical lines of communication, we ensure the maneuver elements maintain operational reach and have the security required to achieve a decisive victory.

The security of our installations and the lethality of our fighting forces rely directly on the Military Police Corps. You are the force multiplier that protects the force and ensures maneuver forces can train, mobilize, deploy, and deliver decisive blows. Thank you for your tireless dedication over this past year, and for everything you continue to do for our Regiment and our Army. I could not be prouder to serve as your Regimental Command Sergeant Major, and I look forward to celebrating the 85th Anniversary of our Regiment on 26 September and the great events planned for this year’s Regimental week.

Assist, Protect, This We’ll Defend!