MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- Editors note: Part one of a four part series.
Entering MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, may seem simple enough if you have all the right stickers and identification, but for personnel checking the vehicles and people coming aboard base, the concept is not as easy as it may seem.
Friday marked the beginning of two weeks of concentrated range, classroom and practical application training for roughly 30 Marines who will soon be guarding the gates to K-Bay.
Every six months, units on base give up personnel to take part in the Fleet Assistance Program to undergo pre-service military police training to eventually work as gate sentry or at the pass house at the main gate.
“The military police department on base does not have enough man power to provide security on base and complete required Marine Corps annual training at the same time,” said Capt. Sam L. Roy, deputy provost marshal for the Provost Marshals Office. “We really rely on the FAP’s in order to keep our Marines working to the best of their abilities.”
According to Roy, without the assistance, military police members would not be able to go to the range, the gas chamber or run physical fitness tests as regularly as they are required. By bringing in personnel from other units, not only do they learn more about a different aspect of the Corps, they also assist the military police department in performing their necessary duties.
The Marines begin their FAP training by spending one week on the range. Some participants have never shot the pistol before and they are required to be able to safely and proficiently handle and fire the weapon.
Week two is comprised of classroom courses and practical application in areas such as apprehension and detention, detection of drivers who are under the influence, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and filing reports.
The final stage for the FAP Marine is on-the-job training for one-week at the front or back gate with supervision and assistance from experienced MP’s to be certain they are understanding and applying what they learned throughout the course.
Follow along with the FAP Marines throughout their training by picking up a copy of the Hawaii Marine in the weeks to come.