Military Police

[Lawson]

as some of you may know, Im going to the Marines shortly and I have already signed my Military Police/Corrections contract. What I am wondering is how different is patrol between MP's and Civilian cops. I have heard they are really different, anyone [especially former MPs] shed some light??????????

Now Im not interested in hearing about how they have gate duty, and field duty, etc... I know all that goes along with "military" im just looking to see what differences in Patrol are like. Some things I could have trouble imagining is like Arresting someone who is employed by the same people who pay you. But also being on a military base, it seems like there wouldnt be a lot of crimes, like it seems like it would be rare to catch the 17 y.o. kid out behind the gas station at 4:00am smoking pot. ... again, any light on this would be appreciated...

[Also, since military is federal, would an MP have federal powers in the U.S.?? ]

[mcsap]

The posse comitatus act prevents the military from engaging in any LE duites off base. Unless asked as backup.

The biggest difference I remember is the sign at the main gate..." All personnel and property are subject to search and seizure while on this installation. " In other words, we don't need a warrant.

Also, a military base is but a small town, domestics, drunks, fights, traffic enforcement etc. It happens on base like off.

[marine19860222]

as some of you may know, Im going to the Marines shortly and I have already signed my Military Police/Corrections contract. What I am wondering is how different is patrol between MP's and Civilian cops. I have heard they are really different, anyone [especially former MPs] shed some light??????????

Now Im not interested in hearing about how they have gate duty, and field duty, etc... I know all that goes along with "military" im just looking to see what differences in Patrol are like. Some things I could have trouble imagining is like Arresting someone who is employed by the same people who pay you. But also being on a military base, it seems like there wouldnt be a lot of crimes, like it seems like it would be rare to catch the 17 y.o. kid out behind the gas station at 4:00am smoking pot. ... again, any light on this would be appreciated...

[Also, since military is federal, would an MP have federal powers in the U.S.?? ]

When do you leave to go to basic, PI or SD?

[TX Kid]

I used to work with the mp's at fort polk. they do a lot of bull**** calls, like babysitting during the daytime. night time is generally busy b/c you get a lot of drunk soldiers, especially infantry (they get REALLY dumb). depending on where you are you may or may not get shots fired, i know we did a few times. it is usually slow, and it's hard to get your radar certification because it takes soooo long for someone to hold the class. don't plan on patrolling until you are an E-3 or above, you'll probably be in the gun locker or on the desk for a while. they have a lot of bull**** jobs like i said, but it is a lot easier to get people to comply because they are subject to the ucmj, which most civilians are not, unless of course on your post/base. i'm pretty tired now (i work mids) so hit me up on aim justin851025 or ask more questions here and i'll respond when i can.

[navyfiveo]

I am a current MP or as the Navy calls them, Master Arms. I am an E-6, therefore an MA1. Life in the "Military Beat" is much like on the outside. Yes, there are gates to stand and fences to watch from time to time, but domestics, murder, rape, DUI's and so forth are all a part of the military life too. If you are assigned to a large base such as camp Pendelton, CA you will see much of these things along with interaction with civilian law enforcement. As someone stated above, we can not act as civilian LEO's however, we are asked to work with them quite frequently especially in drug cases involving military members outside the gate. You as a Marine have the opportunity to work your way up through investigations and eventually work for NCIS if you wish. When you are selected, you will actually be a sworn Special Agent and carry those credentials. Once working with NCIS, you pretty much put your uniform behind you and become a civy until your gig with them is up.

There is alot to be done, so don't think you are going to be guarding POW's or waving cars through the gates ALL of the time.

Good Luck!

[GrayPatriot]

[QUOTE=LaceyExplorer]as some of you may know, Im going to the Marines shortly and I have already signed my Military Police/Corrections contract.

DOD cops are taking over the MP jobs around the nation. All MPs are going to be assigned to Field units over the next few years. I work on Ft Drum and within a year there will be no MPs beside the K-9 unit.

I am not sure if this is military wide, but I am sure it is Amry wide.

Ask your recruiter!

[gijoeyl33]

same deal at ft campbell. very good point to be brought up[QUOTE=wannabeetrp]

as some of you may know, Im going to the Marines shortly and I have already signed my Military Police/Corrections contract.

DOD cops are taking over the MP jobs around the nation. All MPs are going to be assigned to Field units over the next few years. I work on Ft Drum and within a year there will be no MPs beside the K-9 unit.

I am not sure if this is military wide, but I am sure it is Amry wide.

Ask your recruiter!

[K9Cop]

LaceyExplorer,

I was a former 5811 (MP) and have worked as a "civilian" law enforcement officer in several states - currently in NC. When I first transitioned over from military to civilian L.E. it was definitely an eye opener - I'd say the two differences that stood out were officer safety issues and the type of people that you deal with on the streets. In the Corps you had several units responding as back-up, only seconds behind you to include a Patrol Supervisor on domestic violence calls, DWI's etc - bar fights at the NCO Club were met with MP K-9 Units and a platoon full of MP's as back-up - MP barracks were only a few streets away from PMO so when they needed more manpower it was usually not hard to find. Now I'm not saying the Corps or any other service does not have its share of "bad apples" that use controlled substances, commit rapes, assault and even murder one of their own but it is nothing like the numbers you deal with out in the civilian world - most service members refrain from assaulting say an MP if for no other reason then the punishment that the UCMJ inflicts and the loss of their career in the military - military courts are a whole different world from the civilian courts. On military installations you cannot carry a loaded personal firearm in your vehicle - either the ammo or the gun must be in a locked location separate from each other.....here in NC as long as the weapon is in plain view (on the passenger seat next to you for example) you can carry it with one in the chamber. Although we were taught as an MP to consider everyone armed - it was none the less an eye opener.

Here is hoping you get Military Police if that is what you truly want - alot of recruits that I graduated with ended up working Corrections - more then a few appeared heartbroken as they had wanted to be MP's. I was lucky enough to get Base MP at both PI (they don't have field MP's) and CLNC. When you graduate from MP school I don't think you'll have a problem apprehending Marines that happen to be employed by the same employer as you - if you apprehend a senior enlisted SGTMAJ or an officer - you can count on having your Platoon Commander (usually an officer on larger bases)on scene. I have arrested, as a civilian cop, more then my share of Dependents and active duty Marines for controlled substances violations, b & e's, assault etc - don't ever get the mindset that just because they are military they would not or don't do such things. Not unlike the civilian side, some nights/days will be slow even when your beating the bushes while other nights you'll be responding to call after call.

Best of luck and DO NOT LET YOUR DI FIND OUT YOUR MOS.........I'd keep it on the down low with other recruits - at least until 3rd phase.