Army Military Police - Do you enjoy your job? What is your every day like?

2019-06-04T15:41:00-04:00

I'm going to be enlisting in the AD Army within a couple of months and am debating between MOS. My career aspiration is to become a police officer and I want to serve before starting that career. I know there are already some posts out there about MPs but each has very different opinions, with some people loving the MOS and others wishing they chose something else.

As far as I'm aware there are 3 cycles while in garrison - gate duty, patrol, and field training. For MPs out there, do you enjoy your day-to-day or would you have rather chose something different. I'm currently debating between 31B and 11B, and I've heard some pretty negative opinions on both of them.

The last thing I'm curious about: What are typical deployment likes as a 31B and what do they usually consist of? Especially now considering there are fewer deployments to the middle east, I'm assuming they are taking on less of a combat role and more of a policing role, right?

Oh, and do other soldiers really hate MPs as much as the stereotype suggests? I for one would not stop people for going a couple miles over the speed limited or write citations for insignificant infractions just because I'm able to, because I wouldnt want to be "that guy."

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2019 4:04 PM

2019-06-04T16:04:43-04:00

been branched MP for 14 years. tough job and, for the most part, thankless. Patrol blows because 75% of what you do is respond to post housing for some domestic crap. Another 10% is dealing with shoplifters at the PX. 10% traffic stops. and the remainder is rousting crackheads and hookers that have somehow managed to get on post. I had 3 deployments as an MP. 1st one consisted mostly of presence patrols. The 2nd one we were training Iraqi police. The last one I was BN S4 and did nothing but inventory crap that had been sitting on the COB for the last 6-8 years. As for stopping people, the PM usually has a policy on that. When I was at Benning the policy was don't stop anyone unless they are going 10 miles over and don't chase anyone who is going more than 12 miles over. Overall, I prefer logistics over MP any day of the week.

Response by MSG Andrew White made Jun 4 at 2019 5:44 PM

2019-06-04T17:44:39-04:00

What ever you pick, make sure you do your research. All MP duty ain't good duty-Towerrat duty aka Physical Security can either make you or break you. White Hat duty is ok, Combat MP's is another one if you don't mind getting dirty. I was a MP, went into the Infantry, and flipped back and forth, as a BNOCO, ANOCO, BATTLE STAFF, COMBAT CASUALTY CARE , and Combat Lanes Instructor!!! The 28 yrs as a Sergeant with Detroit Police Narcotics. Where you go is the most important to me!! Good Luck!! I dreamed that same dream you are having now!!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2019 12:13 AM

2019-06-06T00:13:47-04:00

SFC had mentioned intelligence, I think if you want to be a LEO that is the way to go if you can get the clearance. Security clearances move you up the rankings on applications. Although you may not shoot as much shit or clear buildings like grunts, law enforcement agencies teach you all that regardless of your prior service. But at the end of the day any military experience will set you apart from non military applicants.

Response by Cpl Joseph Roberts made Jun 6 at 2019 10:04 AM

2019-06-06T10:04:00-04:00

I can't think of a single job/mos that doesn't have its own share of ups and downs. At least if you really enjoy the ups it can make the downs worth it.

Already some great advise here...

Response by SFC Brian Gillum made Jun 8 at 2019 5:18 PM

2019-06-08T17:18:54-04:00

While what encompasses the entirety of Military Police two decades into the 21st century is probably different than what it encompassed two decades prior is somewhat different, here are the two main functions: garrison law enforcement (though when I was at Benning it was DOD police with MP sprinkled into the mix) and initial base security, and Field MP. Garrison is as you described it...patrol, gate duty, human traffic cone, and whatever else the provost marshal for the base and the base commander want you to do. You will get a basic knowledge of Law Enforcement but unless the Army has upped the ante in that part of the training, it isn’t enough to meet the standards for a civilian job as a police officer on its own.

Field MP, was at the time I was in, a conglomeration of Infantry and Air Defense, with a ration of a whole lotta other stuff thrown in. This was when there was still such things as rear areas. MP would act in the capacity of infantry until such actual units could arrive to engage and repel enemy in force in the rear. MP were also equipped with light anti tank weapons and could, at times, man portable anti aircraft weapons.

Then you add route reconnaissance and classification, convoy security, maintaining EPW collection points, refugee control, static route security and checkpoints, and you had a fun filled day wondering which what you had going on.

My suggestion, if you are just starting your military journey and want to really understand the culture...Join a combat arms profession first (infantry, armor, artillery, cavalry, air defense) and prepare to be the most physically tired and mentally unstable but still somehow fulfilled you can become, then if you decide to stay in, think about an MOS that will prepare you for a career outside of the military.

Have fun, stay safe and do whatever awesome shit your drill sergeant says.

Response by CPL A McKenna made Jun 16 at 2019 5:21 AM

2019-06-16T05:21:58-04:00

It's Brutal Bro, you are gonna love every minute of it.

Response by SGT Michael Rigney made Aug 8 at 2019 12:49 PM

2019-08-08T12:49:49-04:00

Being an MP definitely isn’t as glamorous as what you see on TV. Comments about patrol including domestic disputes, shoplifters, and tickets : accidents are spot on. Before being an MP, I was a Combat Engineer and I spent more time in the firld as an MO than I ever did as an Engineer in support of all the combat unit convoy movements and physical security.

Response by CPL Johnnie White made Jan 26 at 2020 7:25 PM

2020-01-26T19:25:07-05:00

I retired in 2011after spending 14.months in the RVN back in ‘69. I was 36K20, Field wireman. I liked the job until I had to climb a pole. I am ashamed to even mention this.