The Military Police Regimental March!
In 1979, Chief Warrant Officer (CWO3) Benny R. Easter, Commander and Bandmaster of the 14th U.S. Army Band, composed a march for the Military Police (MP) Corps, titled “Of the Troops, For the Troops” in dedication to Soldiers of the MP Corps. After he discovered that there was no official march for the MP Corps, he submitted the march to the U.S. Army Military Police School under a new title, “The Military Police March,” for adoption as the unofficial march of the MP Corps (U.S. Army units and organizations may unofficially adopt music, but the only official song or march is “The Army Song”).
The senior commanding officer for the MP Corps, Major General Mary E. Clarke, MP School Commandant, designated “The Military Police March,” by CWO3 Easter as the unofficial but adopted march of the U.S. Army MP Corps on July 18, 1980.
The words of the march reflect an earlier time and focused on significant military actions involving the MP Corps:
Original Lyrics
We showed the way for Patton’s tanks in forty-four,
To Remagen’s bridge, from Saigon’s embassy, and more.
When challenged by our nation’s foes, we’ll stand up to the test.
We’re soldiers of the Military Police Corps, ready with the best.
Official Lyrics
We are the Regiment,
That of the Troops was born.
We are the Regiment,
That for the Troops was formed.
Military Police Corps
In Peace and war is there.
To assist, protect, defend our own
No matter when or where.
In 1994, Regimental Command Sergeant Major (RCSM) Marcelino Malavet, Jr. rewrote the words to the march and changed the title to “The Military Police March (Of the Troops, For the Troops),” with words by RCSM Malavet and music by CW3 Easter. These are the words and music used today for the “Military Police Corps Regimental March”.
(The IAFNC wishes to thank Mr. James Rogers, Director, U.S. Army Military Police Museum, Fort Leonard Wood, for the information presented above.)
