U.S. Army Active duty Military Police?

Question

Is it true that Military Police is just pretty much infantry, but with a nice MP badge and the power to arrest people? Yeh I know in non deployment stages you back up real police, do police force kind of jobs, etc... but in battle other then the fact of investigating friendly fire, and arresting ROE violators, is it true that Military Police soldiers are just pretty much infantry... Im thinking about doing Military Police so I have a background in Police (Im going to be a state trooper oneday), but I dont want to be in heavy combat (Close combat, clearing out buildings, securing areas etc...)

Answer 1

Actually now, the infantry models their training after the MP's. Until the Iraq war, the infantry trained for open battle and movement on foot or using heavy mechanized transport vehicles.
MP's however have always trained for urban combat situations and have adapted (even before the war in Iraq) to fight most efficiently in an urban setting. We move in smaller units than the infantry, often with greater firepower. We are almost never on foot, we utilize up-armor Humvees and Stryker vehicles which are light and mobile and can be utilized in an urban setting unlike the infantry's Bradleys.

One thing to think about if you want to join the Army, you cannot choose your battles. When you enlist, no matter what your job will be, you take the same oath as the guy next to you and you will always have the same mission, to defend the United States. If you do not care for close combat, join the Peace Corps.

Answer 2

Pretty much the above answers tell you what to expect, but if you really want some police experience join the Army in another job, get some college while you are in, then transfer over to CID (Criminal Investigation Division) Basically, they are the Army's FBI. Those guys investigated the Pat Tillman death, so if you want to do some true cop work join those guys. The CID Agents are Federal Agents and get way more training than today's MPs will EVER get. Although they are in Iraq too, their jobs are much different than the MP soldier. No close combat, no kicking down doors, clearing buildings, etc at least not right now. Besides, with the security clearance, training and the status of being a Federal Agent the sky is the limit, especially if you want to become a State Trooper.

Answer 3

Army Military Police Units

Answer 4

Well, the role of the MP is changing and very unique- MP's do everything from counter-sniper and urban combat stuff to convoy escorts, rear area security, traffic control, route recon, straggler control, running EPW camps- there is a lot of things an MP can do, we even used to joke that MP stood for Multi-Purpose. When I was stationed in Germany, our primary mission was law enforcement - regular cop stuff, though every few months we'd head to the field and train to do route recon and convoy escorts. When I went to Desert Storm, I worked at an EPW Camp. So there are many things that MP's do. An MP background certainly won't hurt your civilian law enforcement aspirations.

Answer 5

Yes, you will be in the combat zone. MP's in the Army are referred to as "glorified grunts". I think that sums it up. It is a good experience to further your career in law enforcement, but nowadays most agencies want people with college degrees. So, I would have to suggest that you go to college & not risk your life. That is if you are not joining the military for patriotic reasons.

Answer 6

You will be clearing out buildings and securing areas.

Answer 7

if you wanna be a cop after service, military police is a easy choice.

Keep in mind, you will spend MONTHS and MONTHS, standing in front of a gate, waving people thru as they drive on base.

Yes, its as boring as it sounds.