Military Police Corps :: U.S. Army

The Military Police Corps has a long and glorious history to be proud of. Listed on U.S. Army Info (2011), Military Police Corps was officially recognized as a military occupation on the 26th of September 1941, but their work can traced back even further. According to U.S. Army Info (2011), the first use of the Military Police was during the American Revolution in 1776. Military Police have been deployed and used in conflicts such as: "World War 11, Korean War, Vietnam conflict, Desert Storm, and Iraqi Freedom" (Wright, 2001). Today, Military Police have a variety of different tasks they are expected to perform, much more than just arresting criminals. "Military Police Corps officers lead units in performing five major functions associated with the branch-area security, maneuver and mobility support, police intelligence operations, internment and resettlement, and law and order," according to U.S. Army Info (2011). They are also charged with protecting troops and watching equipment overseas and at home stations across the United States (About, 2011). MP's are sent to Fort Leonard Wood to receive the training they are required to have, there they learn certain skills that are crucial to their occupation (U.S. Army Info, 2011). Several of the skills they learn while at Fort Leonard Wood are: "basic warrior skills, military and civil jurisdiction, use of firearms and arrest and restraint of suspects," as stated in GoArmy (2011). Each individual has to already have certain skills to be successful as a MP, such as: "being physically fit, ability to interact well with people and ability to remain calm in stressful situations," according to GoArmy (2011). Educational requirements are slim to none, the Army looks to enlist anyone who has a high school diploma or GED. If you have a bachelor's degree in any major, you can apply for an officer spot. Salary ranges are varied because it depends if your an enlisted soldier or an officer, how many years of service you have under your belt and if you receive hazard pay or separation pay or any other kind of pay benefits (GoArmy, 2011). Selection process for a MP is long and rigorous procedure. First, an individual has to qualify through MEPS to get into the military and pass all basic medical test, background checks and drug tests. Second, the individual has to complete basic training to even make it to their Advance Individual Training. After basic training is completed they are sent off to Advance Individual Training, where they are pushed through one last test, if they complete AIT, then you will be a certified Military Police soldier.