Illinois National Guard military police company receives reaction force training

Story and photos by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Aleah M. Castrejon, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

Related Media

140125-Z-IK722-097_web.jpg

SPRINGFIELD, IL (04/25/2014)(readMedia)-- SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Soldiers from the 233rd Military Police (MP) Company in Springfield, Ill., received National Guard Reaction Force (NGRF) training at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Ill., April 24. Soldiers were trained on proper techniques of deploying a taser, which included a real-life demonstration. The training also required Soldiers to subdue their opponent after being sprayed with Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray.

"The Soldiers accomplished non-lethal weapons training in support of the NGRF mission," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 John Chepulis, of Chatham, Ill., deputy director for the Illinois National Guard office of the provost marshal. The training gives their Commander options for supporting the mission from different angles."

The NGRF is designed to be a rapidly deployable element to support an all hazards event. They are capable of supporting law enforcement by providing site security, presence patrols, checkpoints, civil disturbances control, and force protection or security for a variety of events.

The training conducted by the 233rd MP Company is integral for ensuring success in the myriad of missions that an NGRF may be called upon to perform, said Chepulis.

The Illinois National Guard 33rd MP Battalion and subordinate military police companies will assume responsibility of the Illinois NGRF mission from the 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery later this year. In preparation for the change, the Soldiers went through various training to include baton, taser and OC training.

Spc. Luke Krajefska of Farina, Ill., pushes Pvt. James Ryan of Amboy, Ill., while Pvt. Joshua Miller of Godfrey, Ill., guides Krajefska. The 233rd Military Police Company in Springfield, Ill., receives National Guard Reaction Force training at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Ill., April 24. The training required the Soldiers to subdue their opponent after being sprayed with Oleoresin Capsicum spray. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Aleah M. Castrejon, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Staff Sgt. James Kollins of Pawnee, Ill., sprays Oleoresin Capsicum on Staff Sgt. Joshua Crawford of Alton, Ill., 233rd Military Police Company in Springfield, Ill., at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Ill., during National Guard Reaction Force training on April 24. The training required the Soldiers to subdue their opponent after being sprayed. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Aleah M. Castrejon, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

(Left) Sgt. Michael Reel of Nashville, Ill., with the 233rd Military Police Company, Springfield, Ill., and (right) Sgt. 1st Class Richard Helkey of Mount Sterling, Ill., Joint Force Headquarters, Springfield, Ill., hold Sgt. William Shaw of Chicago, also with the 233rd Military Police Company, during National Guard Reaction Force training, April 24, at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Ill. Soldiers are trained on proper techniques of deploying a taser, which includes a real-life demonstration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Aleah M. Castrejon, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)