Uninjured soldiers who have inadvertently been separated from their
units are provided assistance in returning. Military police direct them to
their unit or a headquarters within their chain of command. If the location
is unknown, military police direct the straggler to a straggler collecting
point or to the closest major headquarters.
They use whatever
transportation is available.
Military police provide immediate first aid to wounded, injured, or ill
stragglers. They evacuate them to the nearest medical facility as rapidly
as possible. The seriousness of the wound or injury is the key factor in
determining how soon and by what method such a straggler is evacuated.
Stragglers can be a valuable source of intelligence.
If military
police have reason to believe a straggler has information of immediate
tactical value, they contact military intelligence personnel.
Confiscated property and documents from stragglers attempting to avoid
returning to their unit are safeguarded and disposed of in accordance with
the applicable regulations and SOP.
Weapons and equipment of other
stragglers, such as those placed in medical channels, are disposed of
according to SOP or the straggler control plan.
Military police must be very cautious with stragglers attempting to
avoid returning to their unit. Soldiers trying to avoid returning to their
unit must normally be returned under escort. These stragglers may resort to
violence to avoid military control.
MP must search, disarm, and detain
these stragglers. They hold this type straggler until transport and escort
can be arranged to take them to their unit. Escorts may be provided by the
unit, or the military police may be tasked to escort such stragglers.
Stragglers from other friendly forces should be handled in much the
same way as US stragglers. Military police may need to make special efforts
to provide transportation and escorts, if they are needed, for second nation
stragglers. If the PM has coordinated with other forces to set up combined
straggler posts, US MP allow MP from other national units to handle their
own forces. Combined MP procedures are covered in STANAG 2085.
PART B -REFUGEE CONTROL
1.
Responsibilities.
The host nation usually provides measures to control the civilian
population during conflict. At times, the host nation may request help from
the senior US commander.
Should the host nation not be able to control
refugees, control may be assumed by the senior commander.
a. Commander.
The senior commander plans and prepares directives to
control refugees when the host nation is unable to perform the mission. He
orders evacuation of refugees when he considers it necessary. He may also
issue standfast orders to prohibit unwanted movement.
MP1029
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