What's it like being a MP in the Army?

2018-03-05T19:59:05-05:00

Hey guys. I asked a question about being a welder in the army not to long ago and I'm considering another option as a MP. Can anyone tell me what it's like and what some of the duties are after deployed? Also after reading some about it how, in some cases, often are you put in "the shit"? Or if any. Thanks.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Mar 5 at 2018 11:49 PM

2018-03-05T23:49:19-05:00

As with many things in the military the short answer is “it depends.”

Being “in the shit” depends on where you are stationed as an MP and your assignment. While most think the MP means Military Police it actually means multi-purpose. The Army has used MP’s for a variety of jobs over the last 70 years. In Vietnam, MP’s where in the heart of the battle during Tet. They also were often used as door gunners on helicopters.

Some MP’s work law enforcement do a similar job as civilian cops and others guard stuff. Now it’s very important stuff like Nukes and such but it’s still a completely different job then law enforcement.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2018 10:34 AM

2018-03-06T10:34:56-05:00

MP life varies from service to service. In the Active Army force, MPs are usually on a rotation where one element on a base will be performing law enforcement and another will be doing combat training and field exercises.

If you get deployed you could perform basic law enforcement duties, act as security guards, act as a highway patrol, train the local police forces, or do personal security details for high ranking officers and dignitaries.

They also have SRT units that function similar to civilian SWAT teams. There's also CID which is the NCIS of the Army and MPI (military police investigator). Then there's also the option of being a K9 handler or the equivalent of a corrections officer.

If you went with the Army Guard, your deployed functions would be the same as the Active units, but when you're home you run a very high likelihood of being activated at the state level. When I was an MP in the MAARNG, we got activated for every major weather event (hurricanes, blizzards, tornados, etc). We also got activated to assist the State Police with security at large events like the Boston Marathon and the 4th of July Celebration. They also assisted BPD, MSP and the FBI after the Boston Marathon bombing.

SMSgt Thor Merich wasn't kidding when he said it means multi-purpose. MPs perform a very wide variety of functions in the Army.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2018 11:26 AM

2018-03-06T11:26:52-05:00

Nothing like policing in the real world

Response by Daniel Collett made Mar 6 at 2018 12:50 PM

2018-03-06T12:50:29-05:00

Do you have to go through the basic MP then work your way up to be a k9 handler or can you go straight to that?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2018 12:47 PM

2018-03-07T12:47:44-05:00

Busy.
With deployments winding down, don’t count on going if it’s a deployment you want, go infantry.
You’ll work a lot as an MP regardless of where you go .
As far as “the shit” it depends where you go, everywhere is different.

Response by SPC Donita Jones-Miller made Mar 11 at 2018 9:46 AM

2018-03-11T09:46:42-04:00

In the 70s we had to know military law, civilian law, host country law, POW refs as well as be combat ready. Back then women were not allowed in combat but we trained along with the men. We "held down the fort" so to speak.

Response by PFC Brandon Hammond made Mar 11 at 2018 5:59 PM

2018-03-11T17:59:15-04:00

Being military police is being versatile to a lot of duties. My unit was a used for a lot of different roles. There is law and order where your used as cops on base to maintain peace on the installations you will be loving on, but you can be tasked out to be on police transition teams going to other countries to teach them to be cops there, escort team where your tasked out to escort convoies or vips, being used to guard facilities or EPWs. Being a Mp is being multipurpose and just adapting to where ever or what ever they want you to do. One of my last missions I was going to be apart of before it was scrubbed was to escort medical personnel into Hati for the UN. Hope this helps.

Response by SGT(P) Moose Liming made Mar 16 at 2018 9:03 AM

2018-03-16T09:03:11-04:00

Being an MP is one of prestige and a high tempo. The MP Corps are the cops of the military. They police their own and in a combat zone they protect their own. The MP's are multi purpose and are used for just about anything. In a deployment the MP units will be tasked with convoy security, relay point security and other many other tasks the CO wants.

Response by SSG Shane McKee made Mar 22 at 2018 3:33 PM

2018-03-22T15:33:20-04:00

If you love working weekends and holidays this will be perfect for you. As far as skills you can use after the Army, the VAST majority of Police Departments will require you to to apply and go through the police academy the same as if you got out as welder. Experienced welders make far more than cops.

Response by SGT Cj Bailey made Apr 10 at 2018 8:10 PM

2018-04-10T20:10:25-04:00

MP to me was the most misunderstood MOS, when I first joined I wasn’t sure I was going to like it or fit in but I learned to love the job, there where many options for me to grow as a soldier, leader and as a individual. You do get crap from other MOS that your a professional snitch or hypocrite it’s just part of the job, as for deployments I was fortunate enough to detailed out with a well oiled infantry unit it was rough but you’ll never find that cohesiveness in the civilian world that’s what I miss the most. As a MP and squared away MP you’ll have opportunities like MPI, SRT, TRAFFIC, and get lucky and be tasked out with CID I know FT HOOD has drug suppression teams and gang task force, skies the limit but always know when your enforcing the regulations and laws your always being watched as long as you keep your head up and do the right thing you will love it.

Response by CPL Barry Henderson made Apr 14 at 2018 11:21 PM

2018-04-14T23:21:00-04:00

It a great job but make sure you use good judgement and not abuse your power.

Response by PFC Dominick Lambino made May 4 at 2018 3:34 PM

2018-05-04T15:34:57-04:00

Just like what the NCO’s and the Senior NCO’s said above as MP’s we are multi purpose when j was in I did everything from being a security guard all the way up to being on a detail protecting a 3 Star like they said it all depends on where you are stationed

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made May 4 at 2018 4:04 PM

2018-05-04T16:04:03-04:00

When I was active, I didn't have a lot of respect for them. They drove around post in Chrysler K cars, were generally a pain in the butt to deal with, and thought they could do what ever they wanted. In the Guard we used to mess with them by putting playboy centerfolds under the vehicle so when they swept with mirrors they would see it. Then on the other side my NCO/Partner in Crime, taped together a bunch of road flares to look like a bomb. Never failed if they saw the centerfold they were diverted and saw nothing else.

Response by Shardaye Jones made Aug 19 at 2018 12:06 AM

2018-08-19T00:06:24-04:00

What do you have to score to become a MP? I was thinking go Air Force Security Forces, which is better. I really want other people opinions about become a MP or security forces?