Afghanistan veteran voted Military Policeman of the Year

Sgt Michael Oliver (right) was selected from numerous nominees as the senior MP of the year for 2013, and was awarded with a recognition certificate by the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal Colonel Rob Delaney, CD, (left) on Nov. 26.

One CFB Esquimalt Military Police (MP) officer had his overseas work nationally recognized when he was given the title of Senior Non-Commissioned Member (NCM) of the Year.

The award came as a surprise to Sgt Mike Oliver, who was deployed to Afghanistan for the eligible period.

“It’s not often people get this award as part of a deployment,” he says. “I’m very proud of the work we did over there so to receive this acknowledgement feels really good.”

Sgt Oliver was posted in Kabul, Afghanistan, from February to November of 2012. There he was employed as the Close Protection Platoon 2IC, escorting and protecting high value personnel such as politicians, dignitaries, and senior ranking military officials.

“It was a very high tempo deployment,” says Sgt Oliver. “You never really knew what was going to happen, but you went out everyday well prepared and relied on your training. Our whole team made it back home and that’s what counts.”

While he was the one on the ground every day in Afghanistan, Sgt Oliver says the struggle was just as real for family and friends back home. Without the support system of his family in place he says the experience would have been much different.

“The courage and strength displayed by my wife Tracey allowed me to focus on successfully completing my mission and coming home safely,” he says. “I really can’t overstate how appreciative I am of her unwavering support.”

The nomination comes from the ranks of Military Police across Canada of which Sgt Oliver says there are many worthy of the accolade.

“We’ve got amazing men and women serving their communities every single day,” he says. “I’m very proud to receive this award, but at the same time know there are a hundred others just as worthy. They deserve recognition.”

With his most recent deployment behind him, Sgt Oliver says he has taken the nomination in stride. The award means a lot to him, but the work at home is never over.

“I, along with the countless other MPs in Canada, have work to do every day looking after the safety and well-being of CAF members and their families within our own communities,” he says.

-Shawn O’Hara, Staff Writer