Commanding Officer, Military Police Support Company

Major Mathew Mestemaker

Matt Mestemaker enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1985. He served as an Air Electronics Operator and as a Marine Security Guard. He left the Marine Corps to attend college. Staff Sergeant Mestemaker was assigned as a Platoon Commander for Weapons Platoon, A Company, 1/24 from 1992-1993. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice.

2nd Lieutenant Mestemaker served as a Military Police Detachment Commander at Camp Courtney, Okinawa from 1996-1997. 1st Lieutenant Mestemaker was assigned as the Officer in Charge of Auxiliary Field, Ie Shima from 1997-1998. He was then assigned to the Provost Marshal’s Office at Cherry Point, North Carolina. 1st Lieutenant Mestemaker left the Marine Corps to pursue other interests in 1999. He graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in 2000.

1st Lieutenant Mestemaker was an Individual Military Augmentee drilling at Cherry Point on September 11th, 2001. He was immediately activated to serve as the Anti Terrorism Force Protection Officer for the Provost Marshal’s Office as well as billeted as the Assistant Operations officer. Captain Mestemaker served in that capacity until October 2003.

Captain Mestemaker was then asked to deploy in support of operation Iraqi Freedom. He joined Military Police Company, Headquarter’s Battalion Twin Cities, MN which deployed in 2004. He was assigned as the officer in Charge of the Ar Ramadi Regional Detention Facility (ARDF) and as the Executive Officer of the Company. He oversaw the processing and detainment of over 1100 detainees all of whom were treated with dignity and respect. An assessment team from the Secretary of Defense stated ARDF set the example of how a detention facility should be operated.

Captain Mestemaker redeployed with a platoon attached to Fox Company, Military Police Battalion the following year. He was Convoy Commander of just under 100 missions. For his actions he was picked as a finalist for the Leftwich Trophy for outstanding leadership Almar (015/06). Captain Mestemaker was assigned as the Commanding Officer Military Police Company, HQBN Twin Cities, MN. in November 2005. He trained and deployed another detachment to Iraq. Major Mestemaker transferred to the IRR in November, 2007.

Major Mestemaker was Returned to Active Duty in July of 2008. He stood up the first, best and currently only Military Police Support Company in the Marine Corps on October 1st, 2008. Over 75% of the Company has deployed in different capacities since the standup. Major Mestemaker is currently deployed to Iraq as the H&S Company Commander, II MHG as well as the Anti Terrorism Force Protection Officer for Al Asad Air Base.

Major Mestemaker’s personal awards include the Navy Commendation Medal with gold star and Navy Achievement Medal with gold star.


Company First Sergeant, Military Police Support Company

First Sergeant Jason R. Gillespie

First Sergeant Gillespie was born in Walla Walla, Washington. He completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in June of 1994. He then attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton, California before arriving in North Carolina where he attended Basic Combat Engineer Course, graduating September of 1994.

Private First Class Gillespie reported to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Camp Lejeune North Carolina and was assigned to “C” Company. While serving with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, he deployed to Trinidad and Tobago, Panama and Haiti at which time he received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for meritorious service while participating in Joint Task Force Eureka.

In May of 1998 Sergeant Gillespie was assigned to Marine Corps Base Ranges, Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan as the Maintenance Chief for over 20,000 acres of training area. Sergeant Gillespie managed a third country national crew of 5 along with 5 Marines. During this time he supervised the completion of 4 major range enhancement projects totally over $270,000 in upgrades or repairs. Staff Sergeant Gillespie was the subject of a Navy Commendation Medal during this time for his efforts as the Maintenance Chief for his tireless performance and expert management of over 250 training areas and 10 personnel.

In June of 2001 Staff Sergeant Gillespie reported to Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, Camp Schwab, Okinawa Japan where he served as the Battalion Gunner. Due to Staff Sergeant Gillespie’s expertise in weaponry, he served as the Commanding Officers subject matter expert on weapons employment. Staff Sergeant Gillespie deployed as the Battalion Gunner in Korea, Thailand and on Landing Force Carat, teaching and training Marines and foreign military alike in weapons operation and employment resulting in a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

In June of 2004 Staff Sergeant Gillespie reported to Marine Corps Engineer School, Camp Lejuene North Carolina to serve as an instructor. Staff Sergeant Gillespie was assigned to the General Engineering Section where he mastered and taught over 16 periods of instruction ranging from entry level courses to officer and chief instruction. In October of 2005 Gunnery Sergeant Gillespie was assigned to the Combat Engineering Section as the Demolitions and Breaching Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge. Gunnery Sergeant Gillespie developed new curriculum and individual training standards for all Combat Engineers in the urban breaching duty area by completing the shotgun breaching period of instruction. Gunnery Sergeant Gillespie was selected to represent the Marine Corps abroad as the Urban Breaching subject matter expert in Edmonton Alberta, Canada. He trained Canadian Forces and Police Special Weapons and Tactics Teams in Urban Breach methods, during this time Gunnery Sergeant Gillespie was the subject of a Navy Commendation Medal.

In May of 2007 Gunnery Sergeant Gillespie reported to Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, New River North Carolina to serve as the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Construction Platoon. During this time he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While deployed to Iraq Gunnery Sergeant Gillespie lead his platoon in the construction of over 200 different projects. He supported Marines in combat by conducting missions not typical of a MWSS, leading Marines outside the wire improving combat outposts all over Al Anbar Province. Gunnery Sergeant Gillespie tackled the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Forces 3rd highest priority project in constructing a new Air Traffic Control Tower on Camp Al Taqaduum ahead of schedule improving the Camps ability to manage a massive amount of cargo, personnel and aircraft.

On December 18th 2009 First Sergeant Gillespie received orders to report to Military Police Support Company II MHG to serve as the Company First Sergeant.

First Sergeant Gillespie’s personal awards include Navy Commendation x 2, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement x 2 and the Good Conduct Medal x 5.