Who remembers/Served on a "Courtesy Patrol"?

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:52:33 -0500

Some units, such as the 3rd Inf Div, had roving "Courtesy Patrols" to help "maintain order and discipline". We also used to have them at Atlanta Airports during holidays...although they helped more soldiers than they chastised....are such Patrols positive or negative? What did you learn from them?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2015 8:57 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:57:32 -0500

We had them every night in Korea (Camp Howze/Bongilchon - 3rd Bde, 2nd ID - 1986-1987). They were needed to enforce the curfew and watch over the troops who were out in town having a good time, until midnight at that time. I remember them well.

Response by SFC Dan Sorrow, M.S. made Jan 27 at 2015 9:01 AM

SFC Dan Sorrow, M.S. — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 09:01:46 -0500

I had the misfortune of being assigned at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland in the Ordnance Center when the big sexual harassment deal came out in the mid to late 1990's. Of course, the COC went overboard and 4-6 senior NCO's (E-7) were assigned to perform Courtesy Patrol of barracks, bowling alleys, gyms, activity centers, PX, etc, from 1800-2300 hours nightly for about 6 months. It was so ridiculous.

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Jan 27 at 2015 9:03 AM

MSgt Michael Durkee — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 09:03:08 -0500

In my case, it was positive.

When a few of us SNCOs and Officers went out "on the town" one Saturday night at Fort Polk, LA...I imbibed a bit too much tequila and beer. In my disoriented state, I hadn't realized that one of the LTs had secured a ride for us back to camp with the Courtesy Patrol.

At some point during the ride back I noticed uniformed driver and shotgun rider, then realization that I was in the back with the LT. "What did we do?" was the question I asked every couple miles. Bless the LT and the Courtesy Patrol for their patience :D

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jan 27 at 2015 9:07 AM

SGT Richard H. — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 09:07:29 -0500

We had them regularly (weekend nights) in Bamberg, Germany. I think they were a good thing, and gave the Army a way to police our own and get them back to post and turned over to their CoC when not doing so might have ended up in an off-post arrest. I think that many times CPs resulted in a minor punishment instead of a full-on incident/article 15.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Jan 27 at 2015 9:10 AM

SGT Jim Z. — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 09:10:03 -0500

I can honestly say I never partook in courtesy patrol but most of the time they served a valid purpose. I know there have been a few Soldiers "saved" by the courtesy patrol instead of becoming a statistic on the blotter.

Response by SP5 Richard Maze made Jan 27 at 2015 3:04 PM

SP5 Richard Maze — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 15:04:43 -0500

We had them in Wuerzburg, Germany, although I never drew the duty. Their primary job seemed to be policing drunks, especially drunks who wanted to fight Mostly, they seemed bored, which I assume is a good thing

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 2 at 2015 1:39 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 02 May 2015 01:39:22 -0400

If Courtesy Patrol is the same as/similar to the Navy and Marine's "Shore Patrol" then it very well does serve a valid purpose.

Later in my career as a senior First Class Petty Officer I often drew Shore Patrol duty while on deployment. Just my presence alone (along with the rest of the team I was with) was usually enough to thwart problems before they became too serious. There were a few times when a Sailor or Marine (usually very young) had way too much to drink and wanted to start fighting bartenders, waitresses, each other, or not pay their bar tabs and it took our intervention to prevent the local police from becoming involved. It usually ended with the (usually intoxicated) service member being given a ride back to the ship and maybe a quick trip to medical to ensure they weren't suffering from alcohol poisoning to sleep it off. 9 times out of 10 the person wouldn't get in trouble. It was always that 1 time out of 10 that made the lot of us look bad though.