My youngest boy is wanting to be a Miltary Police.

SGT Andrew Chapman — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 10:26:52 -0500

He is going to talk to the Army recruiter today, but my question is what other branch should I have him check into?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2014 10:34 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 10:34:24 -0500

Hooah, Military Police is a great branch. Is he wanting to go Guard or Active? I see that you're in Tulsa and I'm pretty sure the 45th there doesn't have a MP unit. Closest I believe is in Missouri.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 8 at 2014 10:37 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 10:37:54 -0500

The most important thing is that he finds a job he enjoys, and has a direct civilian equivalent. Think long term. Even the greatest of us have to retire eventually. At the end of whatever amount of time he spends in the military, he'll need the education/experience/credentials to transition back into the civilian world.

When it comes to education, I always have to recommend the Air Force. Their schooling is hands down superior to all the rest of ours...

If your emphasis is on discipline, hardship, toughness etc.., I would recommend really either the Marines or the Army, but I personally think the education should be the biggest factor.

I know when the time comes, I'll be recommending either the Air Force or the Marines to my son...

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 8 at 2014 10:42 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 10:42:50 -0500

Hi Andrew, this is a great question. I'll see if I can get MSG(P) Quick to contribute to this discussion for us, as he is a Career Counselor and also currently attending the Sergeants Major Academy. More to follow, hopefully.

Response by SGT Andrew Chapman made Jan 8 at 2014 11:54 AM

SGT Andrew Chapman — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 11:54:17 -0500

No branch of service Army Navy Air Force Marines is what I mean. I agree education is very important. I have and am still talking to him about making sure he gets education covered. We are going to talk to the Army today, and I am going to try and get him to talk to the Air Force soon and possible Navy. He is wanting to become a police officer in civilian life. So we are checking to see what is his best bet for being prepared.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2014 12:39 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 12:39:13 -0500

Although becoming an MP won't be a detriment, I'll also tell you that from my experience as a cop, it provides you with no advantage whatsoever in civilian law enforcement.  Departments that prefer military experience don't really care if you're an MP.  What they're looking for is the discipline and experience the military provides.  In my department I'd say approximately 1/2 of our vets were MPs.  The rest are both Army and USMC Infantry, USAF mechanics, USCG machinist mates, etc. It's important to remember the way many departments hire.  They have a PT test, a multiple choice exam, and an oral board.  All things decent soldiers have done countless times.  The hiring process usually consists of events that any soldier regardless of MOS should be accustomed to.  They basically want someone to show up at the right place, at the right time, in the right clothes, and exert maximum effort. What I think your son should consider if he wants to become a cop is to not necessarily pursue being an MP, but choose something he'll enjoy as a soldier.  I'd like to think I'm a pretty good cop.  But I'd hate to be an MP.  It's just not for me.  Bottom line, don't become an MP to become a cop.  Just become a good soldier.  That's a lot easier when you enjoy what you're doing.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Jan 8 at 2014 2:51 PM

CMC Robert Young — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 14:51:28 -0500

Andrew, I can offer what I did with my stepson when he expressed an interest in the military. I made him go talk with recruiters from all five branches. I gave him a list of questions he needed to ask, and told him to take notes at each meeting. He did his due diligence; we talked again after his visits, and he ultimately decided on the Marine Corps.

As to police piece of the puzzle from somebody who has worked in both military and civilian law enforcement, any of the services will provide a good foundation from which to build, but a follow on career in civilian law enforcement will be markedly different than a career in military law enforcement. There are just nuances to each job that don't translate well, and having the military police experience may or may give him a leg up when seeking a civilian job. Some places love prior MP folks offering them accelerated opportunities and other places don't. Several civilian agencies in my part of the world actively recruit prior military LE folks; however, the state troopers here don't care where you've been or what you've done; everybody starts at square one.

Best of luck to your son!

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Jan 8 at 2014 4:56 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 16:56:50 -0500

Although it ultimately comes down to individual preference, we (influencers) sill play a pivotal role in assisting with sound choices.

My son recently enlisted (basic is scheduled for August 2014) and he had no idea what he wanted to do. I pointed him into a few different directions, each of which, if he was successful, would lead to great training in a post-military career in a fast-growing industry.

He wanted to go special forces sniper (plays a lot of Call of Duty), but we (yes, we) settled on 25B with airborne. This will give him the opportunity to go to a "high-speed" unit (airborne or special forces group) and have a 'career' to fall back on. Also, once he does a couple years in his MOS, I'll point him in the right direction towards Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) and can pursue that avenue.

I'll always look toward his future, even though they are more 'in the moment'.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2014 12:24 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 00:24:25 -0500

It never hurts to have him go speak to some people in that MOS. MPs do many things for the Army. There are literally thousands of paths a career can take an MP depending on many variables. But no matter which MOS your son has an interest in, get him to speak to several people in person and ask the questions that will burst that initial impression we all make about something with minimal information.

Response by SGT Andrew Chapman made Jan 9 at 2014 9:54 AM

SGT Andrew Chapman — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 09:54:59 -0500

I want to thank you all for taking the time to answer this question. There is no one job that fits everyone and no one is better than anyone else. We need everyone who serves and need to support them. Some jobs do translate to civilian life better than other yes. But we need those people in those jobs in the military. I THANK EACH AND EVERYONE OF THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE.

After speaking with the recruiter yesterday (for the Army). He is highly motivated to join I believe. He is going to take the ASVAB and also schedule times to talk with the other services.
he too notes as to what was said. I feel it comes down to what does the person want to do, is the military a right fit for them, and if they qualify may they return home safely.

Response by SFC James Baber made Jan 9 at 2014 11:44 AM

SFC James Baber — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:44:32 -0500

Andrew,

To be honest I loved my job and the years I invested into it, but if I had known 30 years ago what I know now, I would have chosen the AF SPs over Army MPs. The Army affords you many more schools than the other branches that can be beneficial to the post-military career in LE, but the politics of the Army is sometimes less appealing than the other services.

Make sure he looks at and you discuss with him the whole picture of what he could expect to deal with, one thing I learned even more the second half of my career over anything else is the political agenda overrides the legal aspect of what is taking place more than anything else.

I wish him luck in which ever he chooses, and if he is looking for some viable advice for other options to ask the recruiter for within his contract, send him my info as well and I will do my best to assist in any way I can.

One last thing, contrary to some of the comments posted, many smaller agencies prefer military personnel with LE background than just standard military experience, while they look for the discipline and integrity/values of former military members, the LE aspect is easier to train and quicker comprehension of the rules and guidelines that are taught within the academies or local departments. The larger departments (Metro areas and state agencies) do look for any military experience and having LE is not always the advantage there.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2014 7:15 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 19:15:41 -0500

I would ask him Why he wants’ to be an MP.

If he wants to do some law enforcement but also want's to be hooah and spend a lot of
time in the field, he should go Army

If he wants to do garrison security / Law enforcement mostly he should look at the other branches. I would
put the Air Force at the top of the Non Army heap.

If he wants to go into law enforcement after the military, what department does he want to be part of? If he doesn’t care many states transfer military police credentials so he could walk on at a department others have a reduced academy for former MPs, and
some give no advantage to MPs over other vets.
He should just keep this in mind.
Many of my former MP soldiers are currently in Law enforcement in
locations all across the US for all levels of government.

Response by SGT Andrew Chapman made Jan 10 at 2014 9:36 PM

SGT Andrew Chapman — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 21:36:49 -0500

Thank You all for your thoughts on this subject. We are looking into all the options and will update as info comes avail

Response by Cpl Arthur Wilton made Jan 11 at 2014 11:16 PM

Cpl Arthur Wilton — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 23:16:09 -0500

If his motivation is to become civilian law enforcement, then I would have him talk to some members on local police force, and if possible the state, and see what their requirements are, and what they recommend. (They may have education requirements which should be considered in the decision) He should also consider the possibility of becoming career military. I've met / served with guys that enlisted with the intent of making it a career only to leave after their initial commitment, as well as service members that thought they would do their 4 and out only to still be there 20 years later. Most of the MP's I served with in the Corps loved their jobs and ended up re-enlisting. Whichever branch he decides on, he should ask himself, "Would I be willing to make a career in this branch". Not that he has to, but in my opinion the possibility should always be considered.

Response by SGT Andrew Chapman made Jan 13 at 2014 4:46 PM

SGT Andrew Chapman — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 16:46:44 -0500

Take the ASVAB tomorrow then schedule other visits

Response by SPC Rachel Stubbs made Jan 23 at 2014 9:17 AM

SPC Rachel Stubbs — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 09:17:54 -0500

I loved my 5 years active duty, I did as an MP. I at first did garrison for 4 years then my last year I was training for deployment. I loved my job and would encourage your son to look into it more.

Response by SGT Andrew Chapman made Jan 23 at 2014 10:22 AM

SGT Andrew Chapman — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 10:22:22 -0500

ASVAB taken and passed, he is working on the next step now

Response by PO3 Michael Lawson made Nov 17 at 2014 10:06 AM

PO3 Michael Lawson — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 10:06:46 -0500

The Navy equivalent is MA, Master at Arms. They do the same stuff, but travel more.

Response by SGT Andrew Chapman made Nov 17 at 2014 11:26 AM

SGT Andrew Chapman — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 11:26:02 -0500

Well its been awhile but here is the update, he got on with the state and is now a correction officer.

Response by SPC Samantha Jensen made Nov 17 at 2014 11:36 AM

SPC Samantha Jensen — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 11:36:37 -0500

Andrew, my time as an mp in the army were great. If your son is all about becoming law enforcement, then he should go for it. The army is great, the air force has SP.