THE MILITARY POLICE IN DESERT STORM

October 23, 2007 (San Dimas, CA) Military-Writers.com is a website committed to listing servicemembers who have authored books. The website added a free, completely downloadable, novella on Sergeant Jim Heitmeyer’s experiences as a Military Police Officer in Desert Storm.

According to Jim Heitmeyer, “Trucks and equipment were loaded quickly for deployment and all soldiers received their necessary overseas vaccines. Large musters were formed to insure all soldiers were present as activated. All soldiers’ 201 files were checked for updated information. New dog tags were issued with name, religion and blood type.

Some troops were transported by buses to their assigned duty bases for the necessary training in NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) warfare and tactics. Everyone was present and accounted for and ready for transport to their newly assigned staging point.

Some members of the 745 Military Police Company were activated in October of 1990. At 0400 hours on 28 November 1990 I was called to report to the capital hill armory off 44th and Pennsylvania Street. The remainder of our unit had been activated. We were told to report to the armory with all our gear. Being activated must have affected Vietnam vets in a similar manner when they were called to war.”

Later, after the war had begun, Jim Heitmeyer writes, “Then it dawned on me. I didn’t have any aerial markings on my vehicle and that was a serious problem right now. The gunship continued to track me for a mile before banking off. I thought, “Ok Jim, you have nearly been killed four times already on this trip and only GOD could have saved you.” I was shaking like a naked man in a snowstorm from fear. Just about the time when getting my senses back two F-16s scraped me, flew in front of me and turned back my way. They lowered their altitude to about tree level headed directly at me. “I am definitely toast and dead now!” I thought.”

Jim Heitmeyer was born in Phoenix, Arizona and raised in Paradise Valley. Jim joined the United States Marine Corps and completed his service to our country. Jim later joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 745 Military Police Company. Jim served during the “Just Cause” war in Panama and Operations Desert Shield & Desert Storm. Jim Heitmeyer attained the rank of sergeant (E5).

Jim Hietmeyer is a retired lieutenant from the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office (Oklahoma). After his retirement from the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office he worked as a police officer for the Arcadia Police Department from 2001 through 2004. During his career, he worked as a jailer, deputy sheriff, CLEET instructor, American Red Cross Instructor, and biohazards instructor. He is the author of two books under the pen name of Jim Daly: Lockdown Madness and Behind Steel Doors.

Military-Writers.com currently lists 52 current or former military servicemembers and their 132 books.