Mississippi MPs Demobilizing at Camp Shelby |

The following is a press release from Camp Shelby:

Members of the 112th Military Police Battalion, Canton Miss., and the 113th Military Police in Brandon. began arriving at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center April 24.  For approximately the next two weeks, unit members will complete the demobilization process before returning home to their families.

“We don’t want families to be confused and think that because their Soldier is here at Camp Shelby that the deployment is over. The demobilization process is a critical part of redeployment. We need Soldiers to focus on ensuring they resolve all issues – medical, dental, behavioral health and administrative -- before they go home to their families,” explained Col. Dale Kuehl, 177th Armored Brigade commander.  The 177th oversees the demobilization process for all Reserve Component Soldiers redeploying through on Camp Shelby.

During the demobilization process, the 112th MP Battalion, and 113th MP Company Soldiers will be evaluated to determine any medical, dental and behavioral health issues. They also receive briefings on and can sign up for benefits and programs to assist with long term medical, dental, employment, education and other benefits.

While Soldiers were welcomed home by their and Camp Shelby leaders when the first arrived at the airport in Mississippi, Camp Shelby and the 177th normally do not host official welcome home ceremonies. However, they work closely with all units’ rear detachments to ensure that communities and families can host these ceremonies when they are truly home.

“We care a great deal about each Soldier who returns from deployment. Our number one priority is to ensure each individual Soldier receives quality, focused care during the demobilization process,” Kuehl stressed. He said they start and complete the process as quickly as possible without impacting the level of care each Soldier receives. Kuehl acknowledges that it is hard on families and Soldiers knowing they are so close to completing the process and going home. However, it is important that the Soldiers keep their focus on the demobilization process and not mitigate any issues in an effort to go home faster.

“We start the process as soon as possible. Allowing Soldiers time to go home only prolongs the process and takes their focus off ensuring they resolve their medical, behavioral health and other issues. We owe it to our Soldiers to provide them a level of focused care commiserate with the sacrifice they made by devoting year of their life to the defense of our nation and way of life. Not identifying and either resolving or determining a way ahead can and has impacted Soldiers and their families later on,” Kuehl explained.

Kuehl said he anticipates the unit will begin going home as early as May 2. While Soldiers are in the demobilization process, families are encouraged to remain patient and allow their Soldier to focus on ensuring their medical and other needs are met. Families are urged to contact their Family Readiness Group coordinators or the Rear Detachment for information on their Soldier’s return home.