Who is more heavily armed in the Army; Military police or regular soldiers?

Question

If anybody here is or has been a Military police officer, or if you have knowledge of the subject, your answers are appreciated. Explain all you can please about military police and the difference between them and regular soldiers. Also, what do military police do? thanks.

Answer 1

First, let's start with the duties of the MPs. They are charged with the safety and security of military installations among other duties. Their branch insignia are crossed pistols, and the colors are green and gold.

In a garrison (non-deployed, stateside or overseas environment) the MPs conduct traffic investigations, misdemeanor investigations, and protect installations by routine patrolling similar to what civilian police officers do. They have patrol cars both marked and unmarked. They write tickets, process offenders, conduct raids and perform arrests (called apprehensions in the military) This is done mainly by enlisted soldiers with an officer in an operations position.

In Iraq, Afghanistan and other forward deployed areas, the MPs are way more heavily armed than the infantry or regular soldier. The MPs have at their disposal 40mm grenade launchers, .50 cal machine guns, 5.56mm Squad Automatic weapons, 7.62mm machine guns. Each of them carries a pistol along with at least a M-4 carbine. They further have the ability to call for artillery support or close air support in addition to carrying an 81mm AT-4 anti tank fire and forget weapon. Besides, the MPs roll heavy and deep. MPs further conduct convoy escorts and patrol the many routes in Iraq and Afghanistan. They secure the oft bombed scenes we hear about in the news. With the up armored HMMWV carrying all of the above, I think that the regular soldiers are at a disadvantage when comparing the two.

Hope this answers your questions.

Answer 2

A soldier out in the field is far more heavily armed than the military police. A soldier's job is to capture or destroy enemy positions and assets. They carry grenades, grenade launchers, machine guns, sniper rifles, assorted demolition devices and can call in air support and artillery. They also routinely wear Kevlar helmets and heavy armored vests.

The Military police are like civilian police. Some of their duties are exactly the same such as enforcing speed limits, breaking up bar fights on base, domestic disputes on base, etc. They usually carry a hand gun, pepper spray and a night stick. They may have a shot gun and/or rifle in their car. If they wear any kind of armor vest, it is a light weight model under their uniform. They do have the heavy armor vest in their cars, but do not wear it routinely.

FYI, while you see civilian SWAT teams wearing stuff that looks a lot like military equipment, they also are not as heavily armed as the soldiers. If a squad of soldiers was matched up against a SWAT team, the soldiers would win every time.

The concept of the movie RAMBO is not all that far fetched.

Answer 3

A regular soldier is not armed off of base & most times not while on base. They have no need of arms on base.
The military police are armed but not on base. They are used in towns or cities near bases to police the military while off duty & on the town. They can arrest any military person while off base that is drunk or disorderly. They really are there to protect our soldiers from civilian police in foreign countries & even in our own country because many police near a military base do not like to have to put up with the military that are on the loose in their town/cities, so they can be pretty rough on them & sometimes for no real reason.

Answer 4

Worked for the MPs for 3 1/2 years, they always carried 45s and P-38 night sticks. They are similar to your regular police. A soldier deployed in the field would have more weapons at their disposal. However, should the MPs need back-up they get it real quick. In certain situations they would also carry M-16 Rifles. But the regular infantry soldier has more weapons at their immediate disposal.

Answer 5

MPs usually carry 9mms. When in combat or in training the most heavily armored units are tankers. Light infantry are the most heavily armored soldiers. They probably carry weapons like AT-4s and 50 calibers. MPs job is just like a regular police officers job. The Army also has its own doctors and lawyers.

Answer 6

In a combat zone, regular soldiers and the MP's carry the same firepower. Stateside, both may be armed with the M-16 and sidearm, depending on circumstances.

Answer 7

Military Police for sure!

Answer 8

a soldier out in the field is better armed than walking the halls and watching prisoners.

Answer 9

US Duh, 2d replace Gun rights. between explanation why we gained the yank Revolution. The Colonist have been of course greater valuable marksman evaluate to the British who had constrained gun ideal back then.

Answer 10

I think The Marines are the heaviest armed