Military Spotlight: SPHS Graduate Completes Army Police Officer Training

Severna Park native and 2019 Severna Park High School graduate Cynthia “CC” Fowler recently completed one of the nation's most rigorous military police officer training academies in the United States, the Army's Military Police One Station Unit Training (OSUT). At 18 years of age, Fowler completed 20 weeks of training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. The first 10 weeks were the Army’s Basic Combat Training Course (BCT), and the second 10 weeks were police training.

On May 27, Fowler became both a soldier and a federal police officer. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, her family was unable to attend her graduation. However, they were able to watch the ceremony on Facebook Live. Fowler said her chain of command was gracious and provided pictures of training for her family.

"They did as much as they could, while still maintaining operational security," she said.

After graduation, Fowler began her first assignment at Fort Hood, Texas. Also due to COVID-19 restrictions, she was not allowed to return home to Severna Park before reporting to Fort Hood and was required to travel by secure military transport. “I have not had a day off since January 7,” Fowler said, referring to the day she began basic training.

Most of her training at Food Hood is preparing for base security and patrol in combat zones, as she is a police officer and not an infantryman. In wartime, her primary responsibility is troop safety by patrolling bases and checking for enemy activity.

Fowler’s new position is time-consuming, and she told her family recently, “We're always doing something, so if you don't hear from me, I am always busy being a soldier and police officer."

Fowler credits her extensive training in Brazilian jiujitsu for preparing her well for the demands of Army life. She trained with local jiujitsu master Danny Ives at Ivey League Mixed Martial Arts in Severna Park for about six years. While in her freshman year of high school, Fowler fought her way to become the female North American Brazilian jiujitsu champion for the North American Grappling Association (NAGA), in the 14-and-under category in her weight class. Even the Army recruiter Fowler initially met, Sergeant First Class Esther Kutler, told her that her training would translate well to military service because the premise of jiujitsu is forcing the opponent to give up.

Fowler has already demonstrated her prowess using her jiujitsu background. While at Fort Leonard Wood, she won an OSUT company-level championship in a hand-to-hand combat competition in her weight class. She defeated both her female drill sergeant as well as a former male college wrestler who is four years her senior.

Fowler has spent most of her life in Severna Park, having graduated from Folger McKinsey Elementary School, Severna Park Middle School and Severna Park High School. Her parents, Matthew Fowler and Eylen Fowler, still live in Severna Park. Her father was also a soldier, and Fowler was born in Japan while he was stationed there.

Though she struggled in high school knowing what career path she wanted to follow, Fowler is now confident her calling is in military service. She said, “I have found my thing.”

Inspired by her new roles as both a soldier and police officer, Fowler has adopted the mantra, “Don’t worry, I will get it done.” Her future goals include transitioning to civilian law enforcement, potentially including the U.S. Marshall Service.