Question about Marine Mp's???

[xavier2484]

My question is this i have heard they are going to be getting rid of the Mp positions and replacing them with civilian security guards? is this true and if so what is going to happen to the Marine Mp's. i am thinking of enlisting as a Marine Mp and i am just curious of what will happen if they do away with this position? also they said that the mp contract is for 5 years but i also heard there is a 4 year contract for field Mps? is this true? thanks any help at all would be appreciated!

[THELADYKT]

Many military bases are going to contracted security guards on the gates. This frees up the MPs/SPs, Cops to do other base related cop functions and also to deploy. Most of the time, they do this conversion to try and free up cops from gate duty since they are often undermanned and overworked due to deployments.

They won't go away from the military; just freed from certain job that really don't need a military cop to do. Not sure about the contract thing. Talk to a recruiter about that one.

[xavier2484]

Many military bases are going to contracted security guards on the gates. This frees up the MPs/SPs, Cops to do other base related cop functions and also to deploy. Most of the time, they do this conversion to try and free up cops from gate duty since they are often undermanned and overworked due to deployments.

They won't go away from the military; just freed from certain job that really don't need a military cop to do. Not sure about the contract thing. Talk to a recruiter about that one.


thanks alot. do u know anyone on the board that is a mp that might be able to help me out with some questions i have!!?

[THELADYKT]

Sorry. I don't know of any. But if they are in, they can only talk about what contract they sign in with. Your best bet is to hit the Marine Corp web site and/or talk to a recruiter.

http://www.marines.com/page/Home.jsp?forceHtml=true

[xavier2484]

ok is there anyone else who might have more information??

[MPCpl]

ok is there anyone else who might have more information??

I'm a Marine MP who was stationed at a Logistics base which was taken over by Civilians slowly then PCS'd to Pendleton and am not in a Field unit. I even helped train the civilians with homeland security. They are beginning to hire civilians on Marine COrps bases to free up the 5811's(MP's) for more deployments. Field MP's deploy alot. Unit I am in has deployed once a year(7months over 5 back) since 2003 and consist of only males(combat victor(male only) unit). This will probably continue until we leave Iraq and leave it for the army IMO. Once we arn't needed to deploy as much we will go back to working PMO I believe because, its cheaper to employ us than civilians who whine and bitch and even if called in may just not answer and come in. Its a constant fight spending money on training civilians to work as "civilian MP's" who get the training and transfer elsewhere or get fired. I have seen a few doing ride alongs aboard camp pendleton. From all the ones that were hired and I had experience with(from bottom of food chain to the tip top, about 1 in every 3 of them were actually decent 'civlian' mp's) most of the civliian mp's were a bunch fo turds and I have plenty of stories to back me up.

[xavier2484]

I'm a Marine MP who was stationed at a Logistics base which was taken over by Civilians slowly then PCS'd to Pendleton and am not in a Field unit. I even helped train the civilians with homeland security. They are beginning to hire civilians on Marine COrps bases to free up the 5811's(MP's) for more deployments. Field MP's deploy alot. Unit I am in has deployed once a year(7months over 5 back) since 2003 and consist of only males(combat victor(male only) unit). This will probably continue until we leave Iraq and leave it for the army IMO. Once we arn't needed to deploy as much we will go back to working PMO I believe because, its cheaper to employ us than civilians who whine and bitch and even if called in may just not answer and come in. Its a constant fight spending money on training civilians to work as "civilian MP's" who get the training and transfer elsewhere or get fired. I have seen a few doing ride alongs aboard camp pendleton. From all the ones that were hired and I had experience with(from bottom of food chain to the tip top, about 1 in every 3 of them were actually decent 'civlian' mp's) most of the civliian mp's were a bunch fo turds and I have plenty of stories to back me up.



thanks alot for that information. i have a few other questions that im not so sure about?

1.) if i was to enlist do i have the choice of picking field mp or base mp? and are the contracts the same as far as length goes? i heard from one of my friend that field mp is 4 years and base mp is 5 years? also what is the difference? besides field mp getting deployed more often? and do they get deployed more often than say someone in infantry?

2.) what are some of the primary jobs a field mp has when he is in the war zone? and what are some of the duties of an mp when hes not activated and on base?

3.)how has your experience been being a MP? and just some feedback about the position? pros and cons?

thanks a lot for taking the time to read this and answering my questions any help at all would be greatly appreciated! i just wanna try and gather as much information before i act

[THELADYKT]

That's the best/smartest thing to do Xavier.....gather all the information you can.

Here is a link that tells you a little about 5811's: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjo2/a/5811.htm
and military police in general
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjo2/a/58.htm

And a recent story about enlistment bonuses for 5811's. Looks like they are offering GI Bill extra payments too for Fiscal Year 08 (ends 30 Sep 08):
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marinebonuses/a/maresenlbonus.htm

[xavier2484]

That's the best/smartest thing to do Xavier.....gather all the information you can.

Here is a link that tells you a little about 5811's: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjo2/a/5811.htm
and military police in general
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjo2/a/58.htm

And a recent story about enlistment bonuses for 5811's. Looks like they are offering GI Bill extra payments too for Fiscal Year 08 (ends 30 Sep 08):
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marinebonuses/a/maresenlbonus.htm

thanks i have already looked at those sites i just wanna get an idea and some questions answered by those who are MPs thanks again!!

thanks alot for that information. i have a few other questions that im not so sure about?

1.) if i was to enlist do i have the choice of picking field mp or base mp? and are the contracts the same as far as length goes? i heard from one of my friend that field mp is 4 years and base mp is 5 years? also what is the difference? besides field mp getting deployed more often? and do they get deployed more often than say someone in infantry?

2.) what are some of the primary jobs a field mp has when he is in the war zone? and what are some of the duties of an mp when hes not activated and on base?

3.)how has your experience been being a MP? and just some feedback about the position? pros and cons?

thanks a lot for taking the time to read this and answering my questions any help at all would be greatly appreciated! i just wanna try and gather as much information before i act

[MPCpl]

1.) if i was to enlist do i have the choice of picking field mp or base mp? and are the contracts the same as far as length goes? i heard from one of my friend that field mp is 4 years and base mp is 5 years? also what is the difference? besides field mp getting deployed more often? and do they get deployed more often than say someone in infantry?

2.) what are some of the primary jobs a field mp has when he is in the war zone? and what are some of the duties of an mp when hes not activated and on base?

3.)how has your experience been being a MP? and just some feedback about the position? pros and cons?


1. When you enlist there is no choice. When you go to the schoolhouse you pretty much have 3 choices and they are not guaranteed. West Coast, East Coast, or Japan. IF you wanted to work base I'd definetly recommend Japan first you'd have pretty good chance of working base there. All contracts since about mid year 2004 have been 5year contracts. This is due to the 3 month school and most MP's are needed in the greatly both in the field and in garrison. The only way of getting a 4year contract would be to go open contract and maybe get it. A field MP gets deployed the same amount as most grunts(some may argue it but I haven't seen any proof otherwise).

2. Usually MP's have "Task Force MP" missions. You can be doing convoy security, police iraqi transion teams(training iraqi's), points of entry(border patrol essentially), physical security details(providing security for people high in rank), I've heard of MP's checking ID's at the chow hall in iraq and doing base security as well.
Field MP's that are not deployed just train go to schools all field oriented things though. A GARRISON MP does what you typically would think a MP does, working the Gates, and the Roads(anything normal police officers do)

3. I love being an MP except for some Marines not likeing us because we are the "Buddy Fuckers." Someone has to do the policing though otherwise shit would be chaos. I pretty much shared my experiences in my earlier post. I wouldn't go to any other MOS I believe...dont be an MP if you just wanna skate through your time...its long and hard hours in garrison..and you can end up in a field unit and deploy alot.

[xavier2484]

1. When you enlist there is no choice. When you go to the schoolhouse you pretty much have 3 choices and they are not guaranteed. West Coast, East Coast, or Japan. IF you wanted to work base I'd definetly recommend Japan first you'd have pretty good chance of working base there. All contracts since about mid year 2004 have been 5year contracts. This is due to the 3 month school and most MP's are needed in the greatly both in the field and in garrison. The only way of getting a 4year contract would be to go open contract and maybe get it. A field MP gets deployed the same amount as most grunts(some may argue it but I haven't seen any proof otherwise).

2. Usually MP's have "Task Force MP" missions. You can be doing convoy security, police iraqi transion teams(training iraqi's), points of entry(border patrol essentially), physical security details(providing security for people high in rank), I've heard of MP's checking ID's at the chow hall in iraq and doing base security as well.
Field MP's that are not deployed just train go to schools all field oriented things though. A GARRISON MP does what you typically would think a MP does, working the Gates, and the Roads(anything normal police officers do)
3. I love being an MP except for some Marines not likeing us because we are the "Buddy Fuckers." Someone has to do the policing though otherwise shit would be chaos. I pretty much shared my 3experiences in my earlier post. I wouldn't go to any other MOS I believe...dont be an MP if you just wanna skate through your time...its long and hard hours in garrison..and you can end up in a field unit and deploy alot.



first off thanks alot for answering these questions for me. the answers are exactly what im looking for.
I guess my main problem is this i dont know if i want to go active yet or go full time? i am looking to persure a career in Law enforcement after i get out. and im hoping that MP will give me some what of a leg up? but then again im not banking on it i know your time in the marines is what u make of it. and im also not looking to joing just because i want to try to become a police officer.

1.Why would i have a pretty good chance of getting stationed in Japan?

2.Also what determains if u are in a unit that gets deployed alot? what base u are out of. i live in mass so
would be going to the Island for boot camp.

3.If i did go active duty how many time am i looking at getting deployed 4-5 times? at most?

4. I was looking into working dog handler and i realize it is really hard to get into and u have to be at the top of your class to get in? what was your secondary MOS ?

[MPCpl]

first off thanks alot for answering these questions for me. the answers are exactly what im looking for.
I guess my main problem is this i dont know if i want to go active yet or go full time? i am looking to persure a career in Law enforcement after i get out. and im hoping that MP will give me some what of a leg up? but then again im not banking on it i know your time in the marines is what u make of it. and im also not looking to joing just because i want to try to become a police officer.

1.Why would i have a pretty good chance of getting stationed in Japan?

2.Also what determains if u are in a unit that gets deployed alot? what base u are out of. i live in mass so
would be going to the Island for boot camp.

3.If i did go active duty how many time am i looking at getting deployed 4-5 times? at most?

4. I was looking into working dog handler and i realize it is really hard to get into and u have to be at the top of your class to get in? what was your secondary MOS ?
I meant you would have a good chance of being a garrison Marine in Japan. If your not married and single Japan is a good place to be.

Most field MP units deploy on a 1:1 ratio and are going to be on a 1:2 soon I hear. Right now after you deploy 3 times you are allowed to get out of the field unit and go work baseline to get some base mp work in.

You dont HAVE to have a secondary MOS, I am a Non Lethal Weapons Instructor and its currently in the works as being worked into as a secondary MOS like the other branches. It is a competition to be k9 but just realize if you want it bad enough you will get it. Most Marines compete for this in their MP school to get sent straight there and the one that gets the best grades and writes a good paper will end up going. You can also go after you get stationed somewhere if they have school seats available.

[xavier2484]

I meant you would have a good chance of being a garrison Marine in Japan. If your not married and single Japan is a good place to be.

Most field MP units deploy on a 1:1 ratio and are going to be on a 1:2 soon I hear. Right now after you deploy 3 times you are allowed to get out of the field unit and go work baseline to get some base mp work in.

You dont HAVE to have a secondary MOS, I am a Non Lethal Weapons Instructor and its currently in the works as being worked into as a secondary MOS like the other branches. It is a competition to be k9 but just realize if you want it bad enough you will get it. Most Marines compete for this in their MP school to get sent straight there and the one that gets the best grades and writes a good paper will end up going. You can also go after you get stationed somewhere if they have school seats available.

oh i thought u meant bases in Japan are in need of Mps?
So if u dont have a secondary MOS after MP school u just get stationed on a base? until u get deployed? if u dont get k9 as a secondary can u pick something else and then after your training can u apply for k-9 later on if they have seats open?

How hard are the test and everything in MP school?

I dont know how long u have been enlisted but what about getting jobs in Law enforcement after your contract it up? is it easy? ive heard ppl come to see u right before your contract is up and offer u jobs in LE more so for MPS? just wondering how true that is?

is there a chance that u could enlist full time and never see war? i was told by the recruiter that i talked to that he has never been deployed?

and lastly? im still up in the air about going full time or in the reserves .. to you what are some of the pros and cons of both?

thanks again for talking to time to help me out.

[xavier2484]

any more help?? thanks

[FUTURE DEVIL DOG]

I have some questions about MP! can anyone with experiance help me??

[MPCpl]

im going on 4 years as a MP, i've done PMO and field side, what's your question?

[jd7495]

im going on 4 years as a MP, i've done PMO and field side, what's your question?

Ok I've got a question. Im getting ready to be shipped out to MCRD San Diego and I've got my MOS set as 5811. I want to know what of the three choices you have previously given, do I have a better chance at being a feild MP FIRST. I understand i'll eventually do them all. And my recuiter told me I can get into spec ops missions as an MP like airborne with K9 handler exp. ??? Thank you

[MPCpl]

Ok I've got a question. Im getting ready to be shipped out to MCRD San Diego and I've got my MOS set as 5811. I want to know what of the three choices you have previously given, do I have a better chance at being a feild MP FIRST. I understand i'll eventually do them all. And my recuiter told me I can get into spec ops missions as an MP like airborne with K9 handler exp. ??? Thank you

I'm not sure I know what you mean when you say "three choices". I chose 5811 in my contract and got, 5811. There are certain missions that a K9 handler might get into that is...unusual, like helping the secret service out or have work at a airport for the day but that is unusual and I am not a K9 handler so I can't really get into it more than that. After you graduate MCRD and you complete MCT you go to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. While attending they will ask you where you would like to go, East Coast, West Coast or Overseas(Japan). All of those places have Field MP's and PMO. So unless things have changed at the schoolhouse you can't really specify if you want to be Field or Garrison, its a luck of the draw what unit has open boat spaces that need to be filled up in their unit(ones about to deploy seem prioritized).

Near the end of MP MOS School the Instructors will ask who would like to be K9 and they will put whoever wants it up on a board against each other and they take into account your class grade average so it pays to be near the top. When I went through they sent 2 Marines to K9 school but I've heard of more going. They also can send MP Marines from the fleet to K9 school.

I have seen some Field MP's lateral move over to Recon and watched one go into MARSOC and those are the ones that will be closest to the 'spec ops' missions you might be referring to but you lose your MOS when you goto recon/marsoc so your not even a MP anymore after that.

USMC Airborne MP's(even with..k9 exp) is a complete fabrication.

[DennisZeller3]

I have a question regarding Marine Core MPs.

I heard a rumor stating that you could not get a 4x4 contract as a Marine MP unless you went in open contract and got lucky and go it. Is this true? I''ve talked to my recruiter about it and he said he would look into it more but I haven't heard back from him and he's currently in St. louis for a while. I'm enlisting in the Delayed Enrty program in another months and would really like to get a 4x4 contracts to be a Marine mp. Any Marine Core MPs out there who could help me out?

[MPCpl]

FYI Its Marine Corps

All MP contracts are 5x3 now. Your correct about getting lucky open contract 4x4 but thats really rolling the dice. I know one person who had a 4x4 contract(MP) and they tried to change it to 5x3 and he through a big fit and got some MGYSGT down at MEPS to hook him up and let him keep his 4x4 contract while still going MP. The school isn't that long its just that MP's are in high demand for deployments AND for garrison and promotions are hard so most get out.

[DennisZeller3]

Alright, is that just a current situation or is it due to change anytime soon?? im gonna stuck between 3 different MOS and i'd really like to mp the most, but I also want a 4x4 contract

[MPCpl]

Its not a current situation and this is not due to change anytime soon. You will be stuck in for 5 years and 3 years inactive reserve if you go MP.