What Is It Like Being a Security Forces or Military Police NCO?

SPC July Macias — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 23:36:30 -0400

In most conventional career fields, NCO's are contending with immature behavior from their lower enlisted. But since Sec For and MP's are supposed to be like cops, and therefore project authority. So I assume their NCO's aren't having to "babysit" a bunch of unprofessional youth.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2022 4:01 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 04:01:17 -0400

Sadly there will always be a few new or old Soldiers that require "guidance". Manpower is always short, so even the worst of the worst are required to work law enforcement unless there's a good reason for them to stay on platoon duty/off of law enforcement. As a NCO we're always there to provide our soldiers with the appropriate guidance whether they ask for it or if we see something they could improve on.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Apr 21 at 2022 8:02 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 08:02:13 -0400

If you think MP's or Security Forces somehow perfected the formula to prevent young Servicemembers from creating or being involved in shenanigan's you are sadly mistaken. I had several MOS's and billets under my belt and regardless of the training and screening process for a particular Unit/MOS/billet there will always be something going on. It may vary but there will always be some knucklehead doing knucklehead things

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2022 8:25 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 08:25:30 -0400

SPC July Macias , unfortunately, that is not the case. You might imagine that 18 year olds are the same no matter what MOS they serve in, and with NCOs dealing with their shenanigans (just had to use that word, as it is a perfect fit here…LOL).

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Apr 21 at 2022 9:10 AM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 09:10:18 -0400

As a former Security Forces NCO, does this help answer your question? lol

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2022 11:05 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 11:05:56 -0400

If you put a security forces member in a room with just a bowling ball and no exit, when you come back later, the bowling ball is either missing, broken, or pregnant.

I loved that job and would do it again today. But the bowling ball statement wasn't far off. It got a lot of laughs and a few nods.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2022 11:30 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 11:30:56 -0400

It doesn't matter what branch or what career field a person is in....there will always be "that one" SM that likes to push the envelope. And, if you can find enough of them and put them in a room together, you will discover some raunchy behavior will happen. I could regale you with a story of some Infantry folks at a small little compound in Basra, Iraq when they discovered another Infantry dude had left his digital camera unsecured.

Response by LTC Ray Buenteo made Apr 21 at 2022 3:22 PM

LTC Ray Buenteo — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 15:22:44 -0400

I was Air Force security police for 8 years before going army reserves and commissioned and to your assumption , “yeah right.” We carried S&W 38s and M16/M4 in the missile field. You get 4 young guys in the middle of North Dakota with time and space on their hands with weapons and ability to buy ammo well let’s just say we spent a lot of time cleaning our weapons on those 3 day shifts. Also we discovered the civilian 7.62 will operate in an M60 to a degree.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 22 at 2022 4:37 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 16:37:28 -0400

Long ago in a place far away, I was gone on a TDY. My wife and two kids had just moved into on-Base housing. We had boxes stacked everywhere and the furniture was in disarray. Bedrooms were upstairs. After a long day of unpacking and chasing 2 kids, wife went to bed. Shortly she heard a strange noise downstairs. (This was before cell phones.) She called our neighbor in the other half of the duplex hoping her husband was home. He wasn't, so neighbor called the security police. (Her husband was an SP Officer on the command IG team.) Meanwhile wife went downstairs to investigate and to let the SPs in. SP A1C (an E-3 in those days) showed up about 10 minutes later. He and wife explored downstairs. She said the kid was sort of jumpy. The kuku clock picked that time to announce midnight. The young SP about jumped out of his skin, drew his gun, and almost shot the clock off the wall. Soon a more seasoned SSgt (E5) showed up and relieved the Airman. SSgt and wife checked the downstairs, again, and the upstairs. Finding no intruders, she thanked the SPs profusely. They did a quick walk-around of the outside of the duplex, told her all was clear and left.

My point is youth and inexperience can get you in trouble despite training and the best of intentions.

Response by SPC Sean Kennedy made Apr 27 at 2022 3:59 PM

SPC Sean Kennedy — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 15:59:17 -0400

Lol unfortunately MP’s and SF are just as immature and unruly as any other MOS, I was really disappointed in the level of professionalism of my fellow MP’s when I was active duty, going in I thought we would be saints and I was/am still pretty prude and a stick in the mud and I was the minority, the MP barracks are like a college dorm, same as other barracks I imagine

Response by MSgt Andre Stringer made May 7 at 2022 11:51 PM

MSgt Andre Stringer — Sat, 07 May 2022 23:51:05 -0400

I was an infantry Squad Leader, an Acting Security Plt Commander, An ANCOIC of Embassy (MSG) Marine Security Guard Dets. A Military Police Patrol Supervisor. I also served in other NCO, SNCO and Officer Billets. Being an NCO, leadership are skills required, conducting training, dealing with problems, maintaining discipline, etc. Is not much different as being an NCO in most other Units. Being an ANCOIC or SNCOIC of MSG Dets can be a little different. The selection process and qualifications for MSGs is extremely strict. Higher standards above regular Marines must always be maintained at all times on the Program, and we don't fall under the regular Military Chain of Command. It was our job to maintain that strict discipline and higher standards. As NCOs and SNCOs. We were also expected to preform on a higher level than other NCOs and SNCOs.

Response by SPC Timothy Marlow made May 12 at 2022 1:59 AM

SPC Timothy Marlow — Thu, 12 May 2022 01:59:52 -0400

The Job duties ate diverse and Almost limitless. So many different paths because man is an evil animal.Imagine meeting all the wrong people . The never ending and growing number of criminals that just keep coming with never a low figure of crimes committed in every city in every country of everyday without ending. Man lies, cheats and steals on a mind boggling level that's really just enough to make one insane. Truth, fact and the ability to cut through Emotions, misdirection and constant slander. From the masses negative evil thinking and mind structure that is misdirected to achieve the result of a society that is criminal and a danger to all life by nature.. In the end. Over aggressive Mp's. Zero patience for any and all crimes big or small turns a good mans automatic positive and good thinking brain function. Into a negative .Now angry and non positive human. I signed up for any and all MP job duties that were different and unique to the Regular Patrol on call police man. Gate duty. Dispatch and daily MP blotter typist. Language and leadership school. Traveling marching team. Motor pool driver. Co CQ desk. Railway or Customs Mp. Helped me remain helpful and informative to this day. Suicide attempts. Traffic. Domestic and foreign disputes. Bank robberies. Murders and every other type of crime you can think of strips a mans positive mind set into a jaded unhappy life. It was my honor to serve and uphold the Uniform Code Of Military Justice. But I was aware of and planned for an exit in criminal justice and related jobs. Even 911 dispatch or security armed or unarmed had to be left behind. its a difficult and always dangerous job to have. So I always greet police with a cordial Hello and thank you with smile to all i meet.