Military police Soldier finds balance in the National Guard
BIEDRUSKO MILITARY TRAINING AREA, Poland — U.S. Army Sgt. Zachary Fielitz had already served on active duty, returned to civilian life and built a career outside the uniform. Still, something about the Army stayed with him. Fielitz, assigned to the 109th Military Police Battalion (109th MP BN), supported a Law Enforcement Weapons Training and Qualification, or LEWTAQ, at Biedrusko Military Training Area, Poland, Sept. 11, 2026. The event gave military police Soldiers an opportunity to sharpen their skills with the M17 pistol while reinforcing the discipline and readiness required to protect U.S. personnel and property.
“I was previously on active duty, and then I got out and was a full-on civilian, and I kind of just missed it,” Fielitz said. “But I didn’t want to not be a civilian anymore, so this is like the perfect happy medium.”
Before joining the North Carolina Army National Guard, he served three years as an infantryman at Fort Polk, Louisiana. The experience was demanding, but it shaped his understanding of service, training and the commitment required to wear the uniform.
“It was rough,” he said. “I was in the infantry, so a lot of field time, a lot of training. It was just that kind of lifestyle.”
The Guard offered a way to continue serving while maintaining a civilian career. Back home, Fielitz manages two family-owned restaurants, balancing life as a civilian professional with his responsibilities as a Soldier.
“I picked the unit because it was close to my house, and it just felt right,” he said. “Looking back, I love it.”
During LEWTAQ, Soldiers conducted live-fire iterations with M17 pistols, practicing drawing from the holster and firing from different shooting positions. The training helped reinforce weapons proficiency and the tactical skills military police Soldiers rely on during law enforcement operations.
“It’s like instead of pop-up targets, like a regular M17 qual, it’s a paper qual,” he said. “But we practice firing from the holster in different shooting positions too.”
For Fielitz, the mission of military police work is clear.
“The whole mission is to provide security to U.S. personnel and property,” he said. “That’s kind of everyone’s mission, but that’s just what we focus on.”
Recently promoted to sergeant, he is entering a new phase of his Army career. His path from active duty infantryman to civilian professional to military police noncommissioned officer reflects the flexibility and opportunity the Army National Guard can offer Soldiers who still want to serve.
When asked to describe why he joined in one word, his answer was simple.
“Purpose,” he said.
For those considering the Army, Fielitz said knowing that purpose matters. Service can challenge expectations, but remembering the reason behind the decision can help Soldiers stay focused through difficult moments.
“Figure out your real reasons why you want to do it, and just don’t forget them,” he said. “If you just focus on why you actually joined, then it’s pretty much smooth sailing.”
On a range in Poland, Fielitz represented the strength of the citizen-Soldier: a former infantryman, a restaurant manager and a newly promoted sergeant helping military police Soldiers build the skills needed to protect the force and accomplish the mission.
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