The US Military Community Activity (USMCA) was a unique organizational structure and operated similar to a Garrison, Post, Camp, Station or as the new Installation Management Agency (IMA) concept used in the United States and other locations around the world. During the period between 1975 and 1990, there were approximately forty-two (42) separate military communities (also called MILCOMs) in USAREUR, including Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Great Britain, and Italy.

USMCA-Fulda was home to the Headquarters, 11 th Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR), and it’s Commander also served as the Fulda Military Community Commander. The Headquarters, 11 th ACR and 1st Squadron, 11th ACR were located at Downs Barracks, Fulda. The 2nd Squadron was located in Bad Kissingen (part of USMCA-Schweinfurt) and 3rd Squadron was located in Bad Hersfeld. Unlike other PMO structures in USAREUR and Germany, the Community Provost Marshal was also dual-hatted as Regimental PM and responsible for jurisdictions in other areas where the 11th ACR subordinate units were assigned or stationed. The PMO provided staff oversight of two MP Stations located at Downs Barracks, Fulda and McPheeters Kaserne located in the Bad Hersfeld Sub-Community.

While this article will address primarily Community Provost Marshal and Military Police (PMO/MP) support in the USMCA-Fulda areas, much of it relates to the same TDA organizational structure used by other PMOs in USAREUR and Germany at the time. Each USMCA-PMO and MP Station was structured differently based on the geographical size of the military community and types of commands or tenant units assigned to it. The larger communities were normally assigned more personnel and more senior rank/grade structure in those PMOs and MP Stations. MP missions were similar in all military communities.

The TDA organizational structure and staffing of the USMCA-Fulda PMO and two (2) MP Stations at Fulda and Bad Hersfeld are listed below:

I was assigned to Bad Hersfeld from 9/1973 to 4/1974, Fulda 5/1974 to 5/1980, Fulda again from 5/1982 to 5/1984, Bad Hersfeld 6/1984 to 5/1991 and finally Fulda 6/1991 to 6/1992.

(Among the normal duties of an MP Station in a military sub-community) The Bad Hersfeld MP Station also had some unique missions. We processed the SMLM's into and out of the American Sector at Herleshausen (one of the few official border crossing points). We also inspected trains at the Bebra train station. It was the last stop in the American Sector.

As mentioned above, the Bad Hersfeld MP Station processed the SMLM (Soviet Military Liaison Mission) mission. Every soldier had to carry their SMLM card. I went out to the border personally after Major Nicholson was shot to death (see the online historical manual, "The Nicholson Incident - A Case Study Of US-Soviet Relations," at the USAREUR History Office website) in the East by a Russian guard. The Russians refused to allow his driver to give first aid and held him and the US Military Liaison vehicle at gun point. It was a tense time. I went to the border because I was concerned we might have a foreign press presence - not because I was worried about the professionalism of the MP's. The Russians brought their families with them to Frankfurt and had a pretty good life there. The vehicle we processed that day had a Russian wife in the back seat. She was shaking uncontrollably - clearly in utter fear we would take some kind of reprisal. I asked if I could speak to her and before they responded - I told her not to worry - "We knew the incident was an accident and we have accidents too - though I knew full-well that he was murdered." If the time had come - we were ready to do our duty. But, we didn't need to contribute to the notion that the MP's or any other soldier was so undisciplined that we would try to take revenge. My father had been in a Russian concentration camp for 2 years as a child and 4.5 years as an adult. It was important for me to demonstrate moral superiority. Believe that is what led to their collapse. Total corruption with no moral principles guiding them.

The inspection of trains at Bebra was also a very important mission for the Bad Hersfeld MP Station. Troops drunk on trains would miss Bad Hersfeld and if they didn't get off in Bebra they became border incidents. The Russians would imply that the USAREUR commander had a problem controlling his troops etc., etc. The heat was on the MP Station and the Cav Commander of the border section. MP's and Courtesy Patrols checked the trains to prevent crossings. On one occasion we removed a US Navy Admiral and his family on vacation to Berlin. He was not happy but - he was lucky!

The chain of command for the MP Station had the PM in Fulda as a staff advisor to the Community Commander who was the Senior Tactical Commander (Regimental Commander). The MP Station Commander was rated by the Cdr 3/11 ACR (LTC George K. Crocker 1984-86, LTC Robert D. Hurt 1986-88, Intermediate Rater DCC (Deputy Community Commander LTC Harmon 1983-85, LTC Booth 1985-88) and Senior Rater Regimental Commander (Col Joe Driscoll 1984-86 and Col. Tom White). The Corps Cdr above Col. White was then LTG Colin Powell.

Though I was a MP 95B and not a Cavalry 19D - I continue to view the 11th ACR as my Regiment. I became very fond of the troops and their families. I shared in births, marriages, tragedies, illnesses, deaths, failures and triumphs. I was inspired by the Corps of officers in particular. I didn't realize that the 11th ACR was an elite unit. I mistakenly thought the entire Army had the same standards. I am sure if I had known otherwise or, had landed in a "slacker" unit, I would not have made the military a career. I was inspired by the example and intensity. We even learned about leadership and selfless service from Blackhorse wives. Hard to believe but true!

The above doesn't diminish the sacrifice or dedication of the MP's. I enjoyed LTC Lester's article about the MP mission on the border very much. The CPT Lester was an extremely dedicated MP officer. We were all in a pressure cooker. Our wives raised our children within range of Russian Artillery. The Russains were in range of our homes without leaving their motor pool). That is intense!

I can also tell you the 11th ACR was a proving ground for Army Officer Leadership. I came to understand what "zero defects" meant. It didn't matter who you were, where you got your commission or even if your father was a flag officer! The enemy was over the fence and if he came across - the Russians were gona pay the price! No one doubted the commitment and resolve of the leadership - from the top to the bottom.

I can not underscore enough what a "leadership laboratory" the 11ACR was but, you can the results in today's news. Just a few examples for your info. CPT Jim Hickey was in Bad Hersfeld as a Cav Troop Commander - as a Colonel his actions led to the capture of Saddam. CPT Peter Mansoor an outstanding Arab-American officer who is making Gen Petraeus' plan work now as a Colonel. His wife Jana worked as a secretary for my boss in 1989-1990. Kalev Sepp commanded the 3/11 How Btry, was the S1 and went on to be an SF officer - when the SF was a dead end. His wife Debbie was my MP Station's vehicle Registration clerk 84-86. He is now a foremost authority on counter-insurgency and terrorism - and a professor teaching Naval officers.

Walter I could go on - but you understand. This was an ultra-elite unit, the commanders lead from the front, even their wives were leaders.

I have to tell you about a Squadron Commander's wife. Her husband took command of our lonely border post in 1986 and a few months later she was diagnosed with cancer. Rather than go back to the states for a better treatment regimen she toughed it out along side her husband. The troops (like myself) saw that as the selfless devotion to duty. A lot of great things happened during his command. However, a terrible accident also occurred at Hohenfels. The 58th CEC had an explosion occur during training with a cratering charge. About 20-40 troops were injured & I think about 2-4 were killed. Several soldiers were married and the bad news about casualties leaked out.

The troops were down range and the families needed to be taken care of. The SCO's wife was in the HQ along with the chaplain the rear-D Cdr and met with each wife personally. Both the commander and his wife sincerely cared about the troops they same way they cared about their own family members. They returned to Bad Hersfeld several years later and the very first thing the former SCO asked about was the safety/accident rates. He and his family put the troops and our families first. These are the kind of people soldiers follow and readily entrust their lives too. I know that the success of our Army today rests on the sincere examples today's senior officers had as junior officers then.

Walter, as an enlisted guy it was a privilege to have been associated with such great Americans. If my service as a MP contributed in some small way to the victory in the Cold War - I feel honored to have been able to participate. I have 5 grandchildren and feel fortunate and secure knowing where much of today's Army Leadership was trained. I have to tell you I wouldn't trade the experiences of that time for anything. So much for my rambling.