book review: WARRIOR POLICE

i stole the idea of doing book reviews from good friend SKI, who apparently neither reads or writes any longer. i'm sending the book in the mail to you brother.

i just finished reading WARRIOR POLICE by LTC. (RET) Gordon Cucullu and Chris Fontana, to my knowledge the first book about the ARMY's MILITARY POLICE CORPS. the authors were able to write the book based in large part because they embedded with MP units in IRAQ and AFGHANISTAN and conducted 1000 or more interviews.

the story of the MILITARY POLICE CORPS involvement begins at bagram in afghanistan shortly after 9/11, working with the first EPW's of the WAR ON TERROR. the book details how MP units were excluded during the opening moves of IRAQI FREEDOM, which allowed weapons caches to be looted, the contents most probably used against coalition forces during the long insurgency. the authors also cover the REGIMENTS efforts to rebuild the IRAQI police and train the AFGHAN NATIONAL POLICE, as well as the use of LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS (retired civilian police) to help ferret out corruption.

for my taste and expectations the book was light on actual first hand accounts as told by the troops on the ground. that being said there are some very compelling stories of bravery and sacrifice between the covers. like the story of LEIGH ANN HESTER, the first woman since WWII to be awarded the SILVER STAR and the first woman in history to receive that award for actions in combat, helping to break the back of an insurgent ambush.

MARISSA STROCK who lived despite massive injuries and the loss of both legs to an IED blast. STROCK embodies the warrior, or SOLDIER'S CREED, wishing to return to IRAQ to avenge her fallen comrades deaths. right beside hers, is the story of TODD WILLARD PARTRIDGE, who lost both his legs and his life to an IED while racing to help others who had been struck by a previous IED. horribly wounded, PARTRIDGE steered his stricken vehicle away from dismounted troops to avoid causing injury to them.

the book also contains the names of 163 MILITARY POLICE CORPS soldiers killed during the WAR ON TERROR which was current as of march 16, 2011. my first platoon leaders name is on this list.


as i read the first hand accounts, i was so proud, but completely unsurprised by the valor shown by the those who wear the crossed pistols. their dedication to duty and resolve under adverse conditions is the hall mark of all our men and women under arms.

an important side note here, is that the proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the VALHALLA PROJECT, which was established by the authors.