Navy Provisional Detainee Battalion TWO

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Navy Provisional Detainee Battalion TWO (NPDB2) is a United States Navy task force of 422 active duty and Naval Reserve Sailors formed May 1, 2006 for the purpose of combat duties in Iraq.

[edit] Overview

NPDB2 was formed under the Individual Augmentation Program, that trains US Navy members from all Navy communities (aviation, submariners, surface, hospital corps) to fill manpower shortages for in theater assignments in the US led Global War On Terrorism (GWOT). The sailors were all "individual augmentees -- sailors who fill a non-traditional expeditionary combat support or combat service mission".

Prior to deploying in May 2006, the received training from the Army at Fort Bliss, Texas which included convoy operations, self-defense tactics, riot control, hand-to-hand combat, non-lethal weapons, first aid, search and seizure, and urban operations.

NPDB2 sailors served in Iraq at Camp Bucca under the command of the US Army's 16th Military Police Brigade. During its deployment one sailor was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries in combat, and another died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.^[1]^[2]^[3] Additionally, two sailors received battlefield promotions through the Combat Meritorious Advancement Program for their achievements during the deployment.^[4]

[edit] Extended deployment

March 26, 2007 Commander of NPDB2 announced that personnel serving with the battalion, were being involuntarily extended as per a request by he Commanding General Task Force 134 for 3 months making a it a total of 15 months deployed. This news came to the sailors just 35 days prior to the units scheduled departure from Camp Bucca. The extension had been downplayed by the NPDB-2 chain of command, stating that the request by the CG TF 134 would most likely be denied. The exemplary performance of NPDB 2's Sailors, across all ranks, especially at the junior Sailor level, were a testament to the Navy's Core values. NPDB 2 received a Navy Unit Citation for and many personnel received personal achievement and commendation awards, with a few Sailors being awarded Bronze Stars. After completing this arduous tour of guarding some of the most vicious and extremist terrorists detained in Iraq and training unprepared Army, and relieving Navy, units arriving at Camp Bucca for detainee operations, the unit redeployed to Naval Station Norfolk on August 10, 2007 |url=http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=29310 |title= NPDB 3 Begins Mission in Bucca, NPDB 2 Remains |author=Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Jon McMillan |date=2007-05-09 |publisher=Navy Newsstand |accessdate=2007-08-11}}</ref>^[5] =STAR AND STRIPS,

The first CO gave orders, which were against the Navy's fraternization policy, to the Battalion his second day in command, which were subsequently reversed on the third. - - The second CO was outwardly indifferent to the fact that servicemembers were under severe stress and stated that she "would not be surprised if certain members committed suicide." - - E-2s and E-3s going to Captain's Mast, while the E-6' were forced onto unofficial restriction, or "in hack", when an E-6 committed the same UCMJ violation. - - Chain-of-Command failed to ensure that all personnel had required OBLISERV as required by BUPERS for personnel holding Individual Augmentation orders. This resulted in a drastic reduction in manpower just as NPDB2's mission was extended from 12 to 15 months. Servicemembers from NPDB1 and Naval Security Det Bahrain were recalled to cover this shortfall.