I am considering reclassing from Infantry to MP. What’s the process to go from National Guard to active duty Army for MP?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 23:28:11 -0400

I’m a cop in the civilian world with about 10 years experience. Would I have to do ait? I know my civilian leo experience keeps me from doing ait if I went cid.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2018 12:11 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 00:11:21 -0400

I can tell you that you may have to do an MOS reclass course which I believe is still two weeks long. However, this is the process of the Reserve Army and I am not sure if this is the case for Active Army.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2018 4:34 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 04:34:36 -0400

It's either going to be MP transition course or you'll be an insert with the AIT phase of OSUT. The transition course would more likely be the case if you were thinking of staying guard side BUT a lot of our schools are now with our active and reserve counterparts. BLC for example is 5 weeks for the guard when it used to be two. A buddy of mine just went thru 31E school and he was an insert and gone for 8 weeks where as I was only gone 2 in 2012.
And no, your civilian leo experience doesn't keep you from going to CID school. There is a program available to civilian law enforcement who qualify with certain credentials to work for the Army as CID or enlist as a 31D as it's a school for E5 and above, but you still have to be MOS'Qed.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Apr 30 at 2018 7:36 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 07:36:24 -0400

The first step would be to see a recruiter to see if he can get you a MP slot. Then he should give you a DD Form 368 Request for Condition Release. This needs to go up your Chain of Command to be signed by the first General in your chain or his designated representative. That process can be slow, but it never hurts to ask the Chain of Command if you can hand carry it to the appropriate authority. Once you have that, you basically enlist in the Army.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2018 8:15 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 08:15:03 -0400

You will still go to AIT. You civilian experience will not get you much of anything.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Apr 30 at 2018 9:40 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 09:40:04 -0400

You should go see a recruiter but I have a question for you why 11 Bravo? I would be asking the same question about 88 Mike, 92 Golf, or 14 Romeo/ Tango. You most likely would be joining the Army as a Specialist who might need lots of brushing up on your infantry tactics it hypothetically if you do get as infantry you might be going into a platoon who is on a cycle that has nothing to do with Infantry of which you could easily do as an 88 Mike or a 92 Golf. I'm not trying to discourage you but you should consider your options with your experience. Did you say something about CID? That is where you should go as it would be a lot more beneficial for you.

Response by MSG Johnathan Mathes made May 3 at 2018 4:09 PM

MSG Johnathan Mathes — Thu, 03 May 2018 16:09:18 -0400

you'll find being a mp is a lot different than being a civilian LEO... yes you have to go to AIT...going from the guard usually involves losing a rank and being shoved into the next cycle of recruits coming in. depending on the rank you have ... you might have to be in the barracks with the privates and then maybe not.. either way it will suck for 8 to 10 weeks... you'll be taught to shoot... and how to do mounted and dismounted patrols... wow kinda like infantry tactics... alot of what you will learn wont be too much different than what you know...stick with it... get used to working holidays and weekends... and get used to arresting army folks for all kinds of dumb stuff...

Response by SSG Jeremy Sharp made May 3 at 2018 8:48 PM

SSG Jeremy Sharp — Thu, 03 May 2018 20:48:18 -0400

Should not exclude you from AIT. Too much of the AIT training is geared toward the support on modern day battlefield which has little to do with civilian law enforcement. When you are in the thick of the fight is not the time to realize you don't know the proper way to read a topo map, call for fire or request CAS. I was a cop who went AD as an MP needed Basic and AIT to figure out the tactical aspect as well as the difference between rules of engagement and laws of arrest. Had numerous deployments in field environmenst. Store bought road maps don't tell ya if the route recon you are conducting can support an armor advance over existing bridges.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2018 10:27 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 May 2018 22:27:01 -0400

Some go through a short 2 week course, and other have to go through the full 19 weeks. I don’t know what dictates that, but my buddy only had to go through a one month school in Virginia and he was in the 8 years prior.

Response by SP5 James Carr made May 6 at 2018 8:07 PM

SP5 James Carr — Sun, 06 May 2018 20:07:44 -0400

My advise and this is coming from a former MP, is not to become an MP. The two worlds civilian police and MP don't mix well. Not to mention I did more security guard duties than actual law enforcement.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 9:23 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 May 2018 09:23:48 -0400

Being an MP is much more about Combat Maneuver Support than the law enforcement side - the federal protective services have taken over most of the LE on active duty posts and MPs get some road time with them.

That said, I made the switch from infantry to MP in 2007 when I was a sergeant - I love it, which is why I chose MP as my branch when I commissioned as well.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 2:07 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 May 2018 14:07:33 -0400

They're not going to let you do it because of the over strength of the MP Corp. I just recently went from NG to AD and had to reclass to 68 series.

Response by SGT Tom Lykens made May 18 at 2018 11:49 PM

SGT Tom Lykens — Fri, 18 May 2018 23:49:14 -0400

I did the same thing, I reclassed from counterintelligence to MP. The same as you I was a civilian police officer and yes I had to do ait. I loved being an MP it was definitely more comfortable doing that.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2018 3:48 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 May 2018 03:48:35 -0400

Don't be an MP. You work far more hours for the exact same paycheck as a cook or a clerk.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2018 4:04 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Sep 2018 04:04:09 -0400

Go see a recruiter... You have to start there. Rank shouldn't be an issue however you may loose the corporal. But go see your retention people first they will have guidance