What Are the Duties of Military Police?

I'm interested in joining the military police, but not fully sure what the job description involves. Can someone share what their main responsibilities are and what kind of training they go through?

In the military, the Military Police (MP) performs a crucial role. Their responsibilities include, but are not limited to, law enforcement duties, maintaining order and discipline, preventing and investigating crimes, conducting military prisoners' operations, and supporting battlefield operations.

In terms of law enforcement, MPs would perform duties similar to civilian law enforcement, such as traffic control, domestic disturbance response, and minor criminal activity investigations.

Moreover, they often serve as first responders in emergency situations, protecting personnel, facilities, and critical resources within military installations. They also play a role in maintaining discipline among service members, enforcing military law, and providing security during military operations.

In terms of training, they go through Basic Combat Training (BCT) or boot camp like any other enlistee, and then proceed to Advanced Individual Training (AIT). The latter, specific to MP roles, trains them in crime scene processing, traffic accident investigations, and military law. They're also trained in battlefield survival skills, and riot control procedures, to name a few.

Some MPs further specialize into fields like military working dog handlers or special reaction teams. These roles require additional training.

Keep in mind that each branch of the military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force) has some form of military police, and their specific duties may differ from branch to branch. In considering a career as a Military Police, it would be beneficial to research more about each branch’s specific program.