Millitary Police (31B)

[Houston]

Hi, I have always wanted to become a Police Officer almost my whole life. Ive been doing my research lately and I think becoming a Military Police officer at 18 and going to school while on Active Duty would be a good idea. Now I have also heard from former and current MP's (Military Police) that some Recruiters dont like someone's Military background because the training is far different then civilian training. So, do you guys think that becoming a MP will hurt me or help me?


Thanks!

Also, if there is anyone is in North Texas that knows alot about their department's recruiting, or is a recruiter if you could PM me.

[FPS1588]

I don't know much about military police, however there is a part of this forum dedicated to military law enforcement if you want to try there.

[Love_Ulcer]

I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND you go to school first. Plenty of time before you hit that 21. Something other than CJ major is also recommended. You always want something to fall back on if law enforcement isn't to your liking, or God forbid, something worse happens...

They usually state MP experience is not what they're looking for because MP is more "combat" orientated than it has ever been before. You'll probably end up getting more "infantry" experience, just like armor cav folks, field artillery, etc. Now if you end up in CID on the other hand, that's a whole another realm you're entering into.

Best of luck.

[The Jackal]

Hi, I have always wanted to become a Police Officer almost my whole life. Ive been doing my research lately and I think becoming a Military Police officer at 18 and going to school while on Active Duty would be a good idea. Now I have also heard from former and current MP's (Military Police) that some Recruiters dont like someone's Military background because the training is far different then civilian training. So, do you guys think that becoming a MP will hurt me or help me?


Thanks!

Also, if there is anyone is in North Texas that knows alot about their department's recruiting, or is a recruiter if you could PM me.


13 years ago when I was a Marine MP I would have said "go for it". The Marine Corps was one of the best decisions in my life and being an MP was icing on the cake. I lucked out and spent 4 years as a garrison MP (1 year patrol, 2 1/2 years as a traffic officer) and never saw the field. I was in patrol cars my entire enlistment.

With that said, being an MP in today's military will not do much for you by way of real world LE experience. All branches have, or are in the process of, moving to civilian police for garrison law enforcement. Todays MPs are combat oriented and you will find yourself training for and performing rear area guard and POW operations for the most part.

I will never knock anyone choosing to go the military route however, for those wanting to be MPs in order to gain LE experience it wouldn't be a wise choice based on the motivation.

My suggestion would be to enter a technical field which would give you an edge when it comes to your post military career. Some fields to entertain would be computers, intelligence, and electronics. I have several friends who took their intelligence backgrounds from the military and capitalized on them after their discharge.

Think big picture.

[Houston]

I want to become a MP for many reasons, like the college tuition help, it would help me in basically all careers and it'd be a great experience. But will being in the MP actually hurt my chances as a LEO?

[The Jackal]

I want to become a MP for many reasons, like the college tuition help, it would help me in basically all careers and it'd be a great experience. But will being in the MP actually hurt my chances as a LEO?

Technically no, but MPs are a dime a dozen and as stated above won't really give you a clear advantage over other applicants with non-MP military experience. Find something that will set you apart if you plan on using military experience for an LE career launching point.

[Bearcat357]

I want to become a MP for many reasons, like the college tuition help, it would help me in basically all careers and it'd be a great experience. But will being in the MP actually hurt my chances as a LEO?

No military job will hurt you.....

BUT, if you are expecting to work the road in a LE job.....it probably isn't going to happen.

We have (4) MP Companies at Fort Riley and only a handful of the MPs work the road at any given time.....as they are usually preparing to go back to the ME.....

Most of the LE work done on post is by DoA LEOs....

[will0861]

The military is a life changing experience, and serving in the Marine Corps is something I wouldn't trade for anything. I am definitely a better person for it.

I was planning on the MP route as well, but as someone else said, MP's and civilian officers have very little in common. However, serving in the military will give you professional bearing, and a lot of other character traits that are invaluable when dealing with other officers or some scumbag on the street. In both circumstances you'll need to keep your bearing, and exude confidence.

My suggestion would be to find a field in the military that would be an asset to a police department. Being a sniper would definitely help you if you wanted to get on a specialized team. Or even a weapons repair field would help out a smaller department.

[DH2002]

if you want le experience as a MP the only way to make sure is enlist with a post that you know works the road only. BUT after that they might send you somewhere else. good or bad (depending on the day ) I got to a post where we work just the road. I only got 3 months left on a 5 year enlistment and I have been here the whole time so it can happen chances are not good it will but it can

[GR217]

All the above posters gave you good advice. If you want to be an MP, than enlist as an MP. Just be prepared for a trip to the sand box, MPs are very highly deployed units. As far as the college tuition goes all enlisted MOS's give the same education benefits. Also if you are looking for college money, I would suggest the National Guard, over active duty army. You get all the Fed benefits plus your state benefits. Some colleges also give scholarships for Guard soldiers that active soldiers do not get. I just got out of the National Guard, and every army base I was on had private or civilian PDs providing law enforcement on the base. The army rarely uses MPs on army bases any more. 31B might as well be a better armed better equipped 11B. I have heard that Air Force MPs still perform actually law enforcement duties on Air Force bases, I would suggest looking into that route.

[Houston]

I can't really add anything in regards to being an MP to what the others have posted b/c they have all hit the nail on the head. I will caution you about the above portion of your question in that going to college while on active duty is not that easy. Some of your training may convert to college credits and you may be able to do some correspondence course and online courses but you probably won't come close to knocking out a degree in a first term enlistment and you won't be attending college courses.

I heard its okay and It might take 5-6 years but I can do that for a 4 year. But as a MP you need a required 5 year commitment in it so yeah. Can you explain a little more? And I will look into the airforce even though planes arent really my thing.


Thanks

[Mejo83]

After doing 5 years in the MP corp, I wish I would of finished college. I had time to do 2 classes. Just finish your school bro cause you will get no road experience, you will be gaurding EPW's or trying to get blown up with IED's in Iraq. You can get a 2 year contract as an MP, dont sign up for a 5 yr if you don't want to do a 5 year term, but 99.9% chance that you will get called up in your IRR time.

Stay in school!!!!!!!!!!!