Smyrna, TN - Nearly 150 soldiers from the Tennessee National Guard’s 251st Military Police Company returned home on Thursday, March 21, after a nearly year-long deployment overseas. The soldiers arrived in two groups at Smyrna’s Volunteer Training Site, greeted by friends, family, and fellow soldiers eager for their return.

 

Captain Brennan Carter, commander of the 251st Military Police Company, expressed pride in the company's performance during their deployment. Headquartered in Lexington, with a detachment in Savannah, the company departed Tennessee in May of 2023 to serve in eastern Europe as part of U.S. European Command. While deployed, the majority of the company performed law and order missions at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania and provided security for other deployed military units. Additionally, a platoon of roughly 30 soldiers was stationed at Novo Selo Training Site in Bulgaria, with a team of military policemen in southeastern Poland at Rzeszow, performing similar roles.

 

The deployment presented various challenges, but the soldiers of the 251st demonstrated resilience and professionalism throughout. Trained in security, policing, detention, and combat functions, they ensured the safety and stability of the areas they served in.

 

Currently stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, the unit underwent federal demobilization and out-processing procedures. Following their homecoming, the soldiers participated in brief in-processing before being reunited with their families.