Photo In Uniform |
Service Details |
|
|
Last Rank
Sergeant First Class
|
Last Service Branch
Military Police Corps
|
Last Primary MOS
95B40-Military Police
|
Last MOS Group
Military Police
|
Primary Unit
1980-1983, 95B20, 16th Military Police Brigade
|
Service Years
1963 - 1983
|
Other Languages
Dutch-Flemish
German
|
Official/Unofficial US Army Certificates
Order of Saint Michael
|
|
|
Last Photo |
Personal Details
|
|
|
Home Country
Netherlands | |
|
|
This Deceased Army Profile is not currently maintained by any Member.
If you would like to take responsibility for researching and maintaining this Deceased profile please click
HERE
|
|
Contact Info
|
Home Town Bussum, Netherlands |
Last Address NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV
|
Date of Passing Jul 30, 2021 |
|
|
|
Last Known Activity:
*****Formerly a Dutch Citizen/1st Generation Immigrant from the Netherlands*****
*****Have been and Always Will be a Proud American!*****
I started my U.S. Army Career as an Airborne Infantryman in 1963; then was cross-trained to be an Airborne Combat Medic for the 1/502nd Infantry Bn. (Abn), 101st Airborne Division.
Vietnam 1966-1967.
In 1967, I was assigned to HHC, 1/509th Infantry/Mechanized Bde. (Abn) in Mainz, Germany to leave the infamous jungles and rice paddies of the former Republic of Vietnam. I got to learn how to operate an APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) and how to keep an eye out for the Russian and East German soldiers.
In 1968, I was re-trained to be a Military Policeman and was assigned to the only Paratrooper MP Platoon (1st MP Platoon (Abn), 8th MP Co., 8th Infantry Division) in Germany in support of the 1st Brigade 509th Infantry/Mechanized (Abn). We were also the 8th Infantry Division's Honor Guard. Note: the majority of the 8th Infantry Division was non-airborne.
As a U.S. Army Master Parachutist , I had also been awarded with Parachutist Wings of the former Republic of South Vietnam and the former country of West-Germany.
Did many assignments as an Military Police Investigator (MPI) to assist the US Army CID with undercover operations in CONUS and in the former West-Germany.
Subsequently received training from the US Customs Service to function as the first supervisor for the Schinnen Field Office Border Operations (42nd MP Group (Customs)) Schinnen, The Netherlands to conduct drug suppression operations at the Dutch/Belgian/German border crossings.
*****I did receive my promotion to Master Sergeant E-8 in May of 1982, but declined the promotion in lieu of retiring in April of 1983.
Completed my military career at Fort Bragg, NC with the 118th MP Co. (Abn) (note: this was my 2nd assignment to this unit) as a Platoon Sergeant and Field First Sergeant respectively (and, having also ran the Ft. Bragg CID Drug Suppression Team for about 1 1/2 year prior).
Started my civilian police career as a Sheriff Deputy/Investigator in Georgetown, CO;
then served with the Aurora Police Department in Aurora, CO (Patrol, FTO, PAR, DART, and subsequently as a Detective (was the department's representative with the Denver Field Office U.S. Custom Service);
and in October of 1999 I was selected and hired to be the Chief of Police for the Fairplay Police Department in Fairplay, CO.
Just an extra note...., many assignments as an Military Police Investigator and subsequently as a Police Detective included undercover operations working for the FBI, DEA, Secret Service (VIP Protection), the US Customs Service, and working with the Dutch Marechausee (Military Police), German Bundes Grenzschutz (Federal Police) and the Belgian Gendarmerie (Federal Police).
My wife and I then moved to Las Vegas, NV in 2002. I tried working the casinos (did not like it), then worked for the first TSA/Homeland Security department at the McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. Currently retired (May 9, 2014) from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (AKA: LVCVA) as an Senior Convention Authority Officer.
|
|
Other Comments:
Member of the Blue Knights International (Police Officers Motorcycle Club);
Member of the International Police Association (AKA: IPA);
Member of the Fraternity Order of Police (AKA: FOP); and
Formerly a member of the National Association of Chiefs of Police.
Member of the 82nd Airborne Division Association (Rocky Mountain Chapter);
Former member with the 101st Airborne Division Association (twice President of the Rocky Mountain Eagle Chapter in Denver, CO).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1963-1964, 111.07, 326th Medical Company, Division Support Command (DISCOM) 101st Airborne Division
|
|
1965-1967, 91A10, HHC, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry
|
|
1967-1968, 91B10, HHC, 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry (Airborne)
|
|
1968-1969, 95B10, 1st Platoon, 8th Military Police Company
|
|
1969-1969, NATO School Oberammergau (Staff)
|
|
1969-1970, 95B10, 15th Military Police Brigade
|
|
1970-1972, 95B40, XVIII Airborne Corps (18th Corps)
|
|
1973-1973, 95B40, 38th Military Police Detachment , USAG Hawaii
|
|
1973-1976, 95B10, 42nd Military Police Group (Customs)
|
|
1977-1980, 95B40, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center (FAMC)
|
|
1980-1983, 95B20, 16th Military Police Brigade
|
|
1980-1983, 95B20, 16th Military Police Brigade
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reflections on SFC Broker's
US Army Service
|
|
|
TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHAT INFLUENCED HIS/HER DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY?
I was drafted, even though I was still a Dutch citizen at the time. This was one of the best calls of my life. I was 16 yrs old when I came to the USA, and was not allowed to go to school, in that I had to help make monies to help my Dad with rent, etc. I love what I was doing and gave the Army all I had. In return, I grew up faster, became responsible, and got my degrees through the "GI Bill"(Bachelor of Arts with Columbia College and Associate in Arts with the University of Maryland).
|
TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH HE/SHE TOOK IN HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE. WHERE DID THEY GO FOR BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES OR SQUADRONS WERE THEY ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS HIS/HER REASON FOR LEAVING?
With the best combat trainers in the world, I became one of the best soldiers in the US Army, in that I always strove to do my best. Volunteered for every school that came up. I can tell you it was not easy, in that obviously being an immigrant my | |
English was poor. I started my career with the Famous Screaming Eagle Division. When they looked for 111 (infantry) guys to become medics I immediately volunteered and was sent to Ft. Sam Houston. Vietnam bound of course (1966-1967). From Vietnam, I was assigned to the only Airborne/Infantry/Mechanized (1/509th Inf) unit in Mainz, Germany. When they looked for volunteers to be MPs, I again stepped up to the plate and became the first Combat Medic assigned to the only Airborne MP Platoon in Germany. My first MP Course was an MP Supervisory Course (NATO School, Oberammergau, Germany)(1968). I figured, that if I had to go back to Vietnam it will be as an MP driving a Jeep or a V-100 and would not have to fight battles in the jungles and rice paddies. Thus my MP career had started. Duties were as follows: Gate Guard, Patrolman; squad leader; platoon sergeant; and acting the first shirt; Patrol Supervisor; Desk Sergeant; NCOIC Border Operations in the Netherlands (my former home); and NCOIC Joint Drugs Suppression Team, etc.
|
IF HE/SHE PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE YOU FEEL WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO HIM/HER AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
I did many Search & Destroy missions and major battles as a Combat Medic. Unfortunately, I will not speak about it, in that I have been and still am dealing with PTSD. Pics depicts me sewing up a trooper in a field hospital tent with bad lighting.
|
OF ALL THEIR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY HE/SHE HAD FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS THEIR LEAST FAVORITE?
My best assignment was with the 42d MP Gp. (Customs) out of Heidelberg, Germany with duty assignment to the Schinnen Field Office-Border Operations to conduct drug suppression operations on the borders of the Netherlands/Germany/and Belgium. I got this assignment, in that I speak Dutch, German, and Flemish. I coordinated and attended drug intelligence meetings with the Dutch Marchausee (Military Police)-Bundesgrenschutz (German Federal Police)-Belgian Gendarmerie (Belgian Federal Police), etc.
|
FROM THEIR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY PERSONAL MEMORIES, YOU MAY BE AWARE OF, WHICH IMPACTED HIM/HER THE MOST.
I delivered a total of 3 babies in the military housing areas (2 on Ft. Bragg and 1 in Mainz, Germany). Of course, my medical training was a good thing to have with these type of situations. And, my name is on each of the babies' birth certificate as the delivering physician.
|
WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS DO YOU BELIEVE HE/SHE WAS MOST PROUD OF FROM HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE?
I am so very proud and honored to have received the Combat Medical Badge. I apologize, but I will not relate any of my Vietnam experiences, due to being a PTSD victim of this era.
|
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES HE/SHE RECEIVED, WHICH WERE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO HIM/HER AND WHY?
Master Parachutist Badge. Being in charge of a whole plane load of paratroopers, and making sure that they will exit an aircraft in motion safely.
|
IF KNOWN, PLEASE LIST ANY INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM HIS/HER TIME IN THE MILITARY WHO STOOD OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEM AND WHY?
My basic infantry Platoon Drill Sergeant. Unfortunately, I can't recall his name. Sergeant Major Warner (Ft. Bragg) taught me all I know to become one of the best Military Police Investigators.
|
ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM HIS/HER SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MADE THEM LAUGH LATER ON?
I was not a straight trooper in my 1st 3 years at Ft. Campbell, KY, in that I received 6 Art-15s for missing bed check and fighting. On my green fatigues and khaki uniforms, one can see that I had been demoted many times in that my one PFC stripe had been sewn on, taken off, and sewn back on several times (leaving thread holes in different positions). I still have one set of each showing same. But, I was a hard-working trooper. Always looked sharp accomplished my assigned tasks in a professional manner, etc. and therefore earned my PFC stripe back real quick.
|
IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, WHAT PROFESSION(S) DID HE/SHE FOLLOW AFTER DISCHARGE?
After my Army career, I went to the Denver area and performed the following duties: Security Supervisor for the Denver Gold football team; Investigator with the Clear Creek County Sheriff Department; Patrolman, Motor Officer, and detective with the Aurora Police Department; and Chief of Police, Fairplay Police Dept. Moved to the Las Vegas area, and worked Armed security in a casino, then tried TSA at the McCarran International Airport. After 10 years service as a Senior Officer with the Las Vegas Convention Center, I fully retired in May of 2014.
|
IF KNOWN, WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS WAS HE OR SHE A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC BENEFITS THEY DERIVED FROM THEIR MEMBERSHIPS?
82d Airborne Division Association (Denver). 101st Airborne Division Association (Denver) (Chapter President twice). Military Police Regimental Association.
|
IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU BELIEVE HIS/HER SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY THEY APPROACHED THEIR PERSONAL LIFE, FAMILY LIFE AND CAREER?
Always show respect with whom you are dealing with and be accountable for your actions.
|
IF THEY WERE HERE TODAY, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU THINK HE OR SHE WOULD GIVE TO THOSE WHO FOLLOWED IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS AND RECENTLY ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE?
Give it all you can and always look out for your fellow soldier. Be proud of what you do and always set the example for your subordinates.
|
HOW EFFECTIVE HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM BEEN IN HELPING YOU RECORD YOUR REMEMBERED PERSONS MILITARY SERVICE? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE?
I have gotten in contact with fellow soldiers who served with me and a few that found me in the TWS site. KC 10/28/18
|
|