By Dawn Arden
Public Affairs Office

The 14th Military Police Brigade activated 1st Battalion, 58th Infantry Regiment, in a ceremony held May 24 at Swift Gym.

As part of the Army’s End Strength Increase initiative, the battalion will serve as an additional Basic Combat Training unit giving Fort Leonard Wood the capacity to train 5,000 additional troops per year.

“This time last year, the Army chose Fort Leonard Wood to increase its capacity for Basic Combat Training and the mission was gladly accepted,” said Col. Curtis Schroeder, 14th MP Bde. commander. “This year again, Fort Leonard Wood was called to increase its training capacity in order to transform new recruits to Soldiers.”

Schroeder touched on the 101-year history of the 58th Infantry Regiment saying portions of the 58th were attached to several military police units.

“This year marks the 50th anniversary where subordinate units of the 58th Infantry Regiment fought alongside military police forces to defend and hold out sovereign U.S. assets,” he said. “The formations to your front depict a new beginning where we see 1-58 being re-activated and again working and training alongside military police units. This time the mission is to train the fighting force of our future.”

During the ceremony, Schroeder and Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Rodriques uncased the battalion colors, followed by Lt. Col. Rodney Johnson taking command and Rodrigues assuming responsibility of the battalion.

“It is my great honor to stand before you as battalion commander, an addition to a great lineage of commanders within the 14th MP Brigade,” Johnson said. “I know the way which the 1-58th should go, and I will always go that way with my subordinates, ensuring they execute the given mission in excellence.”

Company A picked up its first class of trainees Tuesday.