Do you get much free time in the army?

Question

About to enlist as an MP. I know they work long hours and such. Just curious if there is much free time in the ARMY? I know its not supposed to be easy and its a huge committment. I'm mainly curious. Thanks in advance.

I'm an America. Although I do not wish to go to war I will go to my calling if need be. I support the war in Iraq for many reasons.

I know theres no free time in OSUT though.

Answer 1

In the Army you will be able to live a normal life for the most part. You will most likely work 12 hour shifts which actually turn into about 14 hour shifts when you count formation and equipment issue and all that.

You will usually do rotations from gate guard / patrol / and field training but all of this depends on which post you go to.

As an MP you will be trained to hold yourself at a higher standard then the rest of the Army. This is mainly because when a visitor or any other person comes through the front gate MPs are the first person they see.

Just remember though. MP might as well stand for Multi Purpose. MPs have the chance to do a lot of extra stuff that has nothing to do with MP.

As far as time off as leave. When you come in your leave will start building up. You get 2.5 days a month which comes out to 30 days a year. Once you have more then 60 days saved up you need to either us it or sell it back to the military by Oct of whatever year.

Answer 2

Are you American or Canadian???

I'm a Canadian Military Police Officer and have been for 17.5 years. (I'm almost 37). There is a huge difference between Canadian and American MP's... so in order to answer your question properly... I'll need more info.

What I can tell you is that during basic training, which all members of the forces must take... you don't really get much time off. After that (here it is 10 weeks), you will go to the Military Police Academy. (here that is 6 months). You go to school during the day, Mon - Friday and have weekends off.

I can tell you that I get 25 days leave a year (this doesn't include weekends or stat holidays). For the first 5, you get 20 and then after that you get 25. If you're with a "field" MP Platoon, then you generally work Mon - Fri. You have physical training in the morning and work till about 4pm. However, there are also times that you'll be away for a few weeks at a time if you are on an excercise. If you're on the policing side of the house, then you will likely work shift work. In Canada we work 12 hr shifts.

As I said, I can't tell you more unless I know whether or not you are American or Canadian.

Answer 3

It's really going to depend on your unit and such. My hubby has had alot of schooling and deployments. That's not counting all the field time and such. He's away alot. Of course, you get your 30 days of leave a year, which is nice, if you can take it. Every unit works different hours. My hubby has an MOS where you put in alot of hours. We usually had weekends though and he'd be home at a DECENT time of night. Also, it depends on the post. Some are really good with "training holidays". This is a day off here or there post wide. Often, it runs along a federal holiday. Example, you get Friday as a "training holiday" and Monday as the Labor Day holiday off. Right now, my hubby is a Drill Sergeant and we don't see much of him. He works about 20 hours a day. It's rough, but it's good duty. Even on cycle break, they have classes to take and the next cycle to get ready for.

Just make the best of your time and enjoy. We've been in 18 years and are still going. It's a commitment, but one worth doing. Congrats on your decision to join. Good luck!!

Answer 4

I'm a Proud Army wife...My husband is not an MP but I can help a bit...The army does have real good benefits, but can be quite costly (most times you are gone to war or to field practices from weeks to even months, and you have real different work schedules compared to normal jobs, you have CQ and staff duties)...Yes they have leave but keep in mind that you earn your leave (ie: you get 2.5 days every month, and you can use it towards your block leave, r&r, etc). You do however get free time on certain holidays take for instance labor day, they get 4 day weekends...so there's your free time...MP's I believe work a lot, and not many have the 4 day weekends because of the rotating schedule...Hope I helped a bit. Good Luck and Congrats on your choice in joining the military!

Answer 5

For your training cycle (which includes the Basic Training and the Advanced school) -- you will definitely NOT get much time off or to yourself -- you WILL be concentrating on your training (which is what you need to do). This is NOT easy -- and you should already be preparing yourself for the Physical Requirements of the Service -- get in shape and get in shape BEFORE you arrive for your Training.

After you arrive on your 1st duty station -- you will be assigned by your Duty Officer to one or several of the various shifts that encompass the 24 hour duty day -- and yes, it is 24 hrs, 7 days a week, all days of the year -- so there are times when one has to work through what Civilians will see as Days Off (like Holidays), etc. In the down times, you will be exhausted at first -- and you will need to schedule the time off you have earned (can't take it before you earn it) in advance -- with your Duty Officer.

YES, it is a Huge Commitment to join the Military -- and a Volunteer one at that -- no matter what -- EVERY Military Servicemember (no matter what the MOS) does this commitment -- and has the same requirements for scheduling time off, reporting in to Sick Call when you are ill, etc etc etc.

Answer 6

My daughter was in for 51/2 yrs. She married, had a child, went to the beach, led a normal life. Got out this past year and joined the Coast Guard, her brother is in for 9 yrs. Very different than the Army, you don't get shipped to iraq or south korea. Check them out before signing on the dotted line. Your mother and father may be glad you did. Sorry Army people, but I don't want a phone call in the middle of the night! I'll bet his folks wouldn't either.

Answer 7

For the first 6 months you still have some classes
and stuff but generally speaking it's like other jobs in terms
of how many hours a day you work,

Sometimes they have training exercises and you can be on 12 hours shifts, but hey so do factory workers when the load is heavy.

But you might want to consider another career field than SP.
other than security guard or policeman when you get out you won't have any "experiance" to find a good job.

Answer 8

Being in the military is just like a regular job. You have set hours to do certain things. You also get 30 days leave each year right off the bat. They pay for everything including your housing so your free time won't be wasted mowing the yard.

Answer 9

My brother is in the Army. he gets week end leave, and what amounts to vacation time. Depending on how long you are in depends on how much vacation you get. He gets 2 weeks leave a year. I hope this helps you a little. And good luck.

Answer 10

to much free time for a soldier can be a bad thing. you will get time to rest. Thank you for standing up. You are a man with honor and courage and you will carry this with you for the rest of your life. Thank you for your service