Which branch has the best military police?

2015-09-02T08:05:15-04:00

Which US military branch has the best military police? Why? Is there a military-wide annual competition to find out? If so, what is it? If not, should there be? Why or why not?

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Sep 2 at 2015 8:06 AM

2015-09-02T08:06:13-04:00

I think a competition would be cool

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Sep 2 at 2015 8:28 AM

2015-09-02T08:28:59-04:00

CH (MAJ) William Beaver - I am too biased to answer this question in a fair manner. Of course I think the US Army Military Police Corps is the "best", if that could ever really be quantified. I have worked with the Military Police/Security Force/Master at Arms of all the services and all are good, however, none of the others have the broad range of missions and capabilities of the Army MPs.

I think each service's Military Police provide outstanding support to their respective services. trying to pit one against the other or trying to determine the "best" is counterproductive and proves nothing.

Not sure a competition is a good way to determine the best. It would simply determine the "best" of the folks participating and, then, only in the selected competitive categories, which may or may not be representative of the branch/service.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 8:49 AM

2015-09-02T08:49:07-04:00

CH (MAJ) William Beaver The U.S. Army Military Police Corps is the best. MPs provide a entire range of services, law enforcement and order, force protection, humanitarian missions, combat support and combat operations, rear area security, maneuver and support operations and POW operations. Assist, Protect, Defend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZFjanqzosA

U.S. Army Military Police Corps (documentary)

The Military Police Corps is the uniformed law enforcement branch of the United States Army. The Army's Military Police provide an important function in the ...

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 9:01 AM

2015-09-02T09:01:30-04:00

I am a marine mp with pmo (provost Marshall's office ) but I feel we unfortunately have some of the lowest standards when it comes to garrison security OCONUS though we don't mess around

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 9:41 AM

2015-09-02T09:41:46-04:00

Sir, is this a trick question?

Response by SGT Francis Wright made Sep 2 at 2015 9:45 AM

2015-09-02T09:45:21-04:00

Of the troops and for the troops.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Sep 2 at 2015 10:20 AM

2015-09-02T10:20:59-04:00

Being as it is the Military and being that I am an MP I think that we all do the same job as Mp's. SF's is a combination of different things. They are not Classified as Law and Order but they do that Job. The Air Force peeps, if I am wrong please enlighten me because I do not know what that it is you all do.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Sep 2 at 2015 10:44 AM

2015-09-02T10:44:13-04:00

You are all incorrect. The Air Force has the best. They are called Security Forces, or Defenders, and do it all. And of those Defenders, I am partial to the men and women of the 117th Security Forces! Hooah.
In all seriousness, I have served as Marine MP-Active, Reserve and OCONUS; Navy Master At Arms and Air Force Cop-Reserves, Guard, Active Duty and Deployed. I have attended training by Army, Marines and Air Force. I have served on mission with Army MPs deployed. I have love for all the Military Police/Security Forces/Master at Arms: they work hard so that everyone else can attend to their personal matters-ANYWHERE in the world, 24/7
For the SFS troops, that is why the motto is Defensor Fortis-Defenders of the Force.

Response by SGT Mark Stevens made Sep 2 at 2015 3:32 PM

2015-09-02T15:32:27-04:00

I'm an MP, I would say it's Army all the way. I spent two years augmenting the Air Forces Security Forces. From that experience I learned that's exactly what they are, Security Guards! They babysit assets. Hence the title Security Forces.

Response by SSG Jerel Parker made Sep 3 at 2015 4:57 PM

2015-09-03T16:57:00-04:00

14th MP Brigade, 385th MP Battalion has the best MP,s in Germany

Response by SSG Jerel Parker made Sep 3 at 2015 5:40 PM

2015-09-03T17:40:59-04:00

I was there 92-93, and was in the original Operation Red Hat, on Okinawa, Japan 71-73, that sent the toxic munitions to JI....

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2015 12:52 PM

2015-12-22T12:52:44-05:00

I've worked with army air force and navy and honestly there's no contest, with the adapt and overcome mentality and the superior professionalism that we didn't even know we had. 58's in real world environments are the best.
A competition would be pointless. Everyone's going to be on their best behavior, making sure they do it by the book and it's going to turn into a dick measuring contest. You can't find out who is more effective that way.

Response by PFC Thomas Cunningham made Jan 26 at 2016 1:13 PM

2016-01-26T13:13:13-05:00

I would have to say Army. I was in the 272nd at Taylor Barracks, in Germany and we trained and responded to all out comes. The 272nd also had a joint police station with the host nation's law enforcement to work more closely too.

Response by CPL Elijah Tisdale made Jan 26 at 2016 11:04 PM

2016-01-26T23:04:52-05:00

Army

Response by SFC William Brookshire made Mar 14 at 2017 8:28 AM

2017-03-14T08:28:08-04:00

Collectvely all of them. Retired Army A Compny 716th MP BN Saigon RVN 1971-1972 and 21 years worth of many more outstanding units.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2017 8:13 PM

2017-03-15T20:13:50-04:00

Everyone's saying their own branch. Who woulda thought...

Response by TSgt Scott Hurley made Mar 15 at 2017 8:58 PM

2017-03-15T20:58:15-04:00

When I was in ALS (Airmen Leadership School), I had a fellow student who was an SF. One day when we where holding a class meeting he said the SF's were like Marines. I almost lost it. As far as I was concerned the Marines would have had the Air Armament Center Commander in custody before nightfall if they were to invade the base. In the days of the Nuclear Alert our Security people may have been able to defend properly. But today. Well, I hope it got better since I was in ALS.

Interesting story I was told by my father. My father was a Marine in Vietnam. He had to go thru the gate on the AF side at Da nang AB. He walked thru with a bullet in the chamber of his M-16 and had grenades on him. He mentioned the SP at the gate did not have a bullet in his chamber. Who do think would survive a fire fight if the VC rushed the gate?

Response by SPC Christopher Romine made Mar 15 at 2017 9:56 PM

2017-03-15T21:56:20-04:00

I say U.S. Army, Army MP (MOS) 31B Has so many specialty schools and Jobs, everything starts with Army, most schools most funded. There is a Army MP worldwide competition called Warfighter, go here its brutal
https://www.army.mil/article/27436/mp-teams-battle-in-warfighter-competition/

MP teams battle in warfighter competition

The Army's 13th annual Military Police Warfighter competition began Tuesday and concludes Friday with 34 three-person MP teams from across the Army competing in more than 10 events.

Response by SFC George Smith made Mar 15 at 2017 11:28 PM

2017-03-15T23:28:29-04:00

At One time the ArmY Used to have the Uniformed Military Police School at Ft Gordon Ga, and the Army and marines used to attend the school and when Upon graduating The Classes the students were Sworn Officers...

Response by SrA Chris Livingston made Mar 16 at 2017 12:33 AM

2017-03-16T00:33:23-04:00

Air Force did have more of a separate law enforcement function 70's and 80's. More on state side or large overseas bases that were more like cities than unaccompanied combat bases. Then from Gulf 1 onward the combat and deployment era took over and the fields all became more security. Where we shined was protection of nukes and mobility.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Mar 16 at 2017 9:42 AM

2017-03-16T09:42:00-04:00

Ya'll know they all come to Leonard Wood and train side by side. Same as all the Earth movers, Electricians, construction surveyors and soils analysts. Only difference is the branch specific MTOE equipment.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2017 12:44 PM

2017-03-16T12:44:35-04:00

Chuck Norris was in the Air Force. Nuff Said!

Response by SPC Curt Dennis made Jul 9 at 2017 10:33 PM

2017-07-09T22:33:31-04:00

There was a time that I would say the Air Force, however, since they merged their career fields I think they took a MAJOR step backwards. The Army now seems to have a slight edge. The Navy MAs seem to be too security orientated and treat their Department of the Navy Police officers like shit, and I just don't have enough information on the Marine Military Police or Department of the Marine Civilian Police to form an opinion.

Remember opinions are like assholes, everyone has one and they all work the same.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jul 9 at 2017 10:47 PM

2017-07-09T22:47:07-04:00

I'm sort of biased, USAF Security Forces as top but actually all the Military police within each branch of the Armed Forces have their true professionalism. I have never had a negative experience working with Law Enforcement people in those other branches and found We all worked well together. I think each of us take pride in our own branch of Military Police which is as it should be and all of us take justifiable pride in our service.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2017 7:11 PM

2017-08-11T19:11:59-04:00

If army airforce and navy are the best...y do they only protect assets but they trust the marines to protect lives at embassies and are the ones you always see next to the president???? Could it be because when there are lives at stake they rather be protected by marines?

Response by SGT Jim Filey made Aug 12 at 2017 11:16 AM

2017-08-12T11:16:11-04:00

People wonder about the Air Force MPs. We had 2 diffrent types of security forces. LE and SS.
LE was Law Enforcement, they were the military police of the base, did the same dutys as any other MP in the army or marines. Then there is the SS, Security Specialist, they provide the armed security for all priority resources, ie, Air Force 1, nukes, bombers, missles, heads of state, all assets on alert status, ect. Plus the same power and authority as the LEs.

Response by SSG Kevin Price SR made Aug 12 at 2017 1:00 PM

2017-08-12T13:00:16-04:00

The US Army's Lance Missile System had both nuclear and conventional weapons capabilities. When we had a major field duty, instead of the average 3_day shoot-n-scoot, we always had MP's augmenting us for the controlled access to the nuclear warhead areas. If we mounted a nuke on a missile and assigned it to a fire team, a squad of MP's went out on the launcher. All of the MP's I worked with were professional at their assigned duties, however they did express feelings that they would rather be on the LEO side of the business. Any encounters with MP/SP/SF from other branches, all were proficient and professional in their duties. I'm gonna buck the system and go against my branch, but I would say the AF Security Forces were the most BAMF's I encountered. They were excelling at the LEO skills, and also had the heavy hitters (SWAT type and special operators). If it was my families life that had to depend on Military Police, I would prefer the AF over other branches simply because they had more specialized training. Now here is the caveat......I got out after Desert Storm (early 90's for you young'uns). Since then, the mission has changed somewhat, as has training, and MTOE equipment. Todays forces are tasked much differently, so this old farts opinion is a bit dated. My recent (past 15 years) experience with military police is, Tinker AF Base in OKC-base is still patrolled by, and gate guard posts are manned by AF SP/SF. And Ft Sill, OK which is now patrolled by, and gates are manned by the Ft Sill Police Dept (civilians). When the base is on restricted access, they to (rotate) soldiers for ID checks, etc. The MP's there do more babysitting than LEO work.

Response by Cpl Kevin Dennis made Aug 12 at 2017 4:31 PM

2017-08-12T16:31:48-04:00

Army. Because Jack NMI Reacher is a BAMF!

Response by SPC Todd Hanson made Aug 12 at 2017 5:29 PM

2017-08-12T17:29:16-04:00

The army of course

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Aug 12 at 2017 5:34 PM

2017-08-12T17:34:06-04:00

I'd have to say Army MP'S they are involved in all aspects of law enforcement and are guaranteed to be deployed!

Response by SSG Ernest Penn made Aug 12 at 2017 5:46 PM

2017-08-12T17:46:42-04:00

U. S. Army Military Police are number 1. The marines are a close second.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2017 9:24 PM

2017-08-12T21:24:32-04:00

Army hand down

Response by CPO Mark Robinson made Aug 12 at 2017 10:49 PM

2017-08-12T22:49:18-04:00

Army first, Navy last. Lived in army housing for three years in Hawaii, the AMR or Crater as we called it and they always treated us with respect and professionalism. They used a common sense approach to enforcing regulations. The navy on the other hand uses a slightly different approach. Lets treat everyone like ass holes, Lets try to find a stupid obscure regulation and enforce it with great tenacity. Lets try to make life a miserable as possible for our fellow sailors. Now I will give the Navy some credit. I retired about 15 years ago and just before I got out they made the MAA a rate (MOS) that you enlist into from day one and their training program at Lackland AFB was revamped. Now the DOD cops on the navy bases are a joke. They are mostly way over weight and lazy.

Response by SPC David Willis made Aug 12 at 2017 11:28 PM

2017-08-12T23:28:07-04:00

I mean what would the competition consist of? Writing tickets and seeing who can say "I'm pretty much infantry" with a straight face??? :) just kidding... kind of...

Response by SSgt Ron Hazel made Aug 13 at 2017 10:17 AM

2017-08-13T10:17:46-04:00

As a former USAF SP (6911th ESS, 50th SPS, 90 MSS) and Army air crew I have to say USAF SP/SF are the best all around. I was at Ft Dix on 9/11 getting ready to deploy to Bosnia. The Army didn't have the manpower or resources to secure the post but the USAF at Maguire AFB had our back and and had the perimeter locked down and secured in no time.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2017 1:30 PM

2017-08-13T13:30:37-04:00

Army

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2017 2:42 PM

2017-08-13T14:42:04-04:00

I dont think there is a "best". We all have our own jobs to do, some with more emphasis on LE or force protection. Im a MA myself and my command is 98% LE, responding to all sorts of different calls for service.

Response by MSG Jerry O'Rourke made Aug 13 at 2017 8:31 PM

2017-08-13T20:31:07-04:00

Had the unique opportunity at our Reserve Training Institute to put together an SOP for our 31B instructors to teach Air Force Reserve Security , U.S Army MP tasks for a QRF during a Army National Guard Brigades deployment.They were very receptive to the training and it helped them prepare for their mission.Each branch of service should cross train with their best practices.One Team Taking it to the Enemy

Response by SSG Randall P. made Aug 13 at 2017 8:59 PM

2017-08-13T20:59:45-04:00

31 CMF holds a lot of great talent. Between the 31B, 31E, 31D and 31K I believe the army has best and most diverse Police Force of any service...

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Aug 13 at 2017 10:07 PM

2017-08-13T22:07:20-04:00

Response by CW2 Randy Whitten made Aug 13 at 2017 11:01 PM

2017-08-13T23:01:14-04:00

Army. Is there any other Branch. ;-)

Response by SSG Ernest Gonzales made Aug 14 at 2017 12:38 AM

2017-08-14T00:38:27-04:00

Biased here, but in the Army I have served as a patrolman, combat MP, physical security, on loan to DEA via drug suppression team and as a investigator. I loved every second of it all.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2017 1:20 PM

2017-08-14T13:20:11-04:00

From personal experience at Bagram 2010, the Air Force SF their really got their rocks off harassing the WarFighters. I don't know if it was that particular unit, or the SF in general, but they went out of their way to try and eff with the Army stationed there. Impounding vehicles for seatbelt infractions. When wearing full battle gear, you can't fit a seatbelt in a civilian hodgie van around all that. They sat and waited for guys coming off of aircraft being picked up by the ALOC staff.

Response by SP6 Justin Robbins made Aug 14 at 2017 1:50 PM

2017-08-14T13:50:46-04:00

As a former Army MP, I would definitely say that the Army MPs preform a lot more missions than either the Air Force or Marines. I served 10 years in the Army and did two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. In Iraq we were always on patrol and stayed outside the wire. We also trained a lot of the Iraq army and civilian law enforcement. There wasn't any role or mission we didn't or couldn't do.

Response by SrA Joseph Wolosz made Aug 14 at 2017 2:18 PM

2017-08-14T14:18:39-04:00

Well Air Force have different types of security forces.The SP on the flightline guarding aircraft. The SP on base, working the gates or doing patrol
On base. The SPs that work at the missile silos across the country. Those are the best trained besides Combat Control in the USAF.

Response by MSG Loren Tomblin made Aug 14 at 2017 2:42 PM

2017-08-14T14:42:21-04:00

Let me splain something to you. For every combat soldier there are about 20 in the rear forces that support them so that they can get their job done. Every mother's son and daughter has a role in our defense system. Some are duty soldiers some are mac daddy trained to offset all those half-steppers. Every in the military contributes even if he holds the punch at the Chaplains office to get a tough shit card punched. I have spoken.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2017 8:38 PM

2017-08-14T20:38:43-04:00

Master At Arms and MP's hmmmmmm that is tough there are merits to both.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2017 1:30 AM

2017-08-15T01:30:05-04:00

I worked securing and building an LZ in a hostile area and was told the AF SF was going to be coming in. We asked why they weren't there already helping with security and where told the area wasn't secure enough for them to come in.....

Response by SSG Randall Ford made Aug 15 at 2017 6:47 AM

2017-08-15T06:47:55-04:00

Well I really hate to say this but for a law enforcement agency the Air Force takes it. It used to be the Army when I went in as the Corps also trained with us. The Army in trying to be so politically correct has manipulated the program so much it turns out you are a glorified Grunt without the awards offered to infantry. The Corps has for some time now switched their training school to the Air Force. They told the Army they get all that shit in boot camp and want the law enforcement training.The Army program ram is not worth a flip any more. The one schooling that is overall combined is the k9 course held at LAFB TX. K9 really rocks as the best for all of them united.

Response by SGT Christopher Lachcik made Aug 31 at 2017 8:34 AM

2017-08-31T08:34:11-04:00

The Army :)

Response by SPC Stephan Baker made Sep 11 at 2017 7:36 AM

2017-09-11T07:36:01-04:00

um Army? why.. because the rest are either marines or SP... lol

Response by Sgt Michael Caldwell made Nov 9 at 2017 10:18 PM

2017-11-09T22:18:41-05:00

Well I went too Fort Gordon for MP training IN May 73, second class of school trained Marine MPs.
First thing that happen is they made us Marines Field First and Squad leaders!
The first Company run they separated us Marines from Army and put us up front, well we ran away from the formation!
We we're runing and they were doing some Airbone shuffle thing..
In hand to hand Combat Training, we were told that if you knock down you partner you got a cigarette break!
This did not go well for the Army type's!
In the Corps you have Base and Div.
Base does all the stuff you would expect
A Base MP too do.
Now Div. which is what I was in, served in the field, convoy security, Dam, Bridge, road security, Pow snatch, Town Patrol, bodyguard detail.
When we were MOB out too Cambodia from Kadena AFB, we took over the gates and field security of AFB.
So yes I think the Corps at my time is the best..we did it all.

Response by Harley Jones made Nov 11 at 2017 1:41 PM

2017-11-11T13:41:53-05:00

I'm personally stuck between wanting to join Army National Guard as Military Police or Air National guard as Security Forces. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Response by SSG Charlie Carlson made Dec 2 at 2017 1:18 AM

2017-12-02T01:18:25-05:00

I am biased as well on this after serving both garrison and combat support MP's in the Army and as a patrol supervisor as well. Now I also have to top it with the fact that I was also a special agent with CID with the Hawaii Field Office, 6th MP Grp in Schofield Barracks, HI. I have to give the nod to my brothers and sisters and go with the US Army MP's.

Response by CPL Ron Aragon made Apr 5 at 2018 5:26 PM

2018-04-05T17:26:40-04:00

Offer your services to the president permanently along our southern border and see who comes out on top.

Response by PV2 Stephen Walker made Nov 21 at 2018 10:43 PM

2018-11-21T22:43:14-05:00

Army!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2019 5:31 PM

2019-06-01T17:31:00-04:00

Generally speaking, military law enforcement is 20 years behind their civilian counterparts. In the Army, the MP branch officers and senior NCOs have spent so many years trying to perfect their "combat support" role that they've neglected the law enforcement mission. Now that the Army has decided to cut MP units across the board, they're now all suddenly experts in the art of police work (which couldn't be farther from the truth). I loved being an MP back in the day, but was chastised by senior NCOs because I enjoyed the law enforcement mission. "You'll never make Sergeant Major"... they used to say..."I don't care" I used to reply.

Response by SCPO William Akin made Jun 2 at 2019 10:23 AM

2019-06-02T10:23:48-04:00

Harmon Rabb Jr., Capt., JAG, USN (Naval Station/Joint Base Hollywood) This guy can fly 'Tomcats', Take over command of Ballistic Missile Submarines, Out swim any SEAL that ever drew breath, Leap tall buildings at a single bound.. I could go on but you get the idea..
If NAVY JAG isn't enough we have heavy duty backup in the form of the seemingly never ending NCIS with such heavy hitters as Leroy 'Jethro' Gibbs (a Marine that got his High School GED) and joined the Varsity/NAVY team, backed up by Abby Sciuto doing forensics, 'Tony' DiNozzo resident Badass, and Ziva David standin' around lookin' Hollywood HOT..
Need I say more :) :) :)

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 28 at 2019 11:47 AM

2019-07-28T11:47:21-04:00

https://www.facebook.com/Military-Police-Warfighter-Competition [login to see] 25221/

Look at this....

Military-Police-Warfighter-Competition-188134727925221

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 28 at 2019 11:48 AM

2019-07-28T11:48:44-04:00

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deployable_Operations_Group

I found this really interesting....

Deployable Operations Group - Wikipedia

The Deployable Operations Group (DOG) was a United States Coast Guard command that provided properly equipped, trained and organized Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) to Coast Guard, DHS, DoD and inter-agency operational and tactical commanders. Formerly headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, it was established on 20 July 2007, and was commanded by a captain and was decommissioned by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Robert Papp on 1...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 28 at 2019 11:49 AM

2019-07-28T11:49:39-04:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1snF6PF0UTA

And this....

US Coast Guard Hitron Law Enforcement Homeland Security

See how USCG Law Enforcement and Narcotics does their job in Hitron to keep he United States save from drugs. Property of: Military Channel Uploaded by CPO-S...

Response by MSgt Mark Wood made Feb 28 at 2020 5:32 AM

2020-02-28T05:32:45-05:00

Chaaa as if...

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Feb 28 at 2020 8:07 AM

2020-02-28T08:07:20-05:00

Duh! It's the Air Force. Their entire police corps is SF!!!

Response by SSG Jeff Gerfen made Apr 6 at 2020 9:20 PM

2020-04-06T21:20:17-04:00

Having served in both the Air Force as a Security Police 1974-1978 and US Army Military Police 1979-1995 I have a love for both. Army MP’s though have a wider range of duties.

Response by PO2 Joan MacNeill made Apr 13 at 2022 10:44 PM

2022-04-13T22:44:13-04:00

I can't really say, not having observed much of them in action (So why am I commenting? I dunno...) Navy Shore Patrol, at least overseas, often uses ordinary sailors temporarily, so that kinda dilutes their expertise. I was REALLY impressed by South Korean MPs we transported to Viet Nam. Badass MFs!

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Oct 18 at 2022 11:06 AM

2022-10-18T11:06:37-04:00

I'd have to say Air Force first, Marines and Navy close second. Have you tried getting into one of their bases? Those guards will peer into your soul and make you feel inferior simply for trying to get in. Also, very polite yet stern.
Army MPs are lackadaisical and unprofessional. They behave like a perennial rookie.
I have had no experience with Coasties sorry.