I'm interested in the discipline and structure of the military police within the army. Can someone shed light on how to pursue this career, including requirements and training involved? Any tips would be much appreciated.
To pursue a career as Military Police (MP) in the Army, you would first need to enlist in the U.S. Army. You must meet enlistment criteria which typically includes being a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, being at least 18 years old (17 with parental permission), having a high school diploma (some branches may accept a GED), and meeting medical, moral, and physical standards.
Once enlisted, you would then go through Basic Combat Training (BCT), commonly known as Boot camp, which lasts approximately 10 weeks. This training is designed to prepare you physically and mentally for military life.
After BCT, you would proceed to Advanced Individual Training (AIT) for the MP specialty, which lasts about 20 weeks. At MP training, you will learn the skills necessary to perform as a military police officer, including civil disturbance control, traffic control, and how to process crime scenes.
As for tips on pursuing this career, doing well on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is crucial because it helps determine your eligibility for the MP specialty. Specifically, you'll want to focus on scoring high in the areas of word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, arithmetic reasoning, and auto and shop information as these directly influence your MP eligibility.
It's also worth mentioning that being physically fit is an essential part of military service, so starting a fitness regimen now might be beneficial.
Lastly, speaking to a recruiter and current or former MPs can give you a better understanding of the profession and what to expect. It can be helpful to get insight into the daily life, challenges, and benefits of a career in military police from those currently in the field.
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