How does one become a military police watch commander?

I've heard about military police watch commander positions. What qualifications and responsibilities are required for this role? Is this a position one typically advances to from other military police roles? Any insights on the career path would be helpful!

To become a military police (MP) watch commander, you would typically start out in a military police position and then progress through the ranks. Most branches of the U.S. military have a version of the MP, so you could consider joining the Army, Navy, Marines, or Air Force.

Your responsibilities as a watch commander would typically involve supervising military police personnel during their assigned watch period. To do this job effectively, you need a solid understanding of law enforcement operations and the military justice system. Some of your tasks might include:

- Assigning officers to specific beats or sectors

- Ensuring your team responds properly to calls for assistance

- Coordinating with other MP watch commanders to maintain continual enforcement coverage

- Training and mentoring junior officers

- Performing administrative duties such as handling paperwork and managing the watch schedule

In terms of qualifications, you'll need to be a U.S. citizen and meet the basic qualifications for enlistment in the military, including physical fitness standards and age requirements. On top of this, you'll need to pass a background check, as the role often involves handling sensitive information. For many branches of service, a high school diploma or GED is sufficient, though some roles may prefer or require a college degree in a relevant field.

Career progression in the military police is typically a matter of time in service and in grade, as well as performance. For instance, in the Army, you might start as a Private in the MP, advance to Corporal, then Sergeant, and so on. Each promotion brings increasing leadership responsibilities, and a watch commander would usually be a more senior Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO), such as a Sergeant First Class.

Once you've reached that level, you could seek additional training or special assignments to expand your skill set and make you a more competitive candidate for promotion. Remember, the details of this process may vary depending on the branch of service you choose, so I would recommend reaching out to a military recruiter for the most precise and accurate information.