I've been really interested in joining the National Guard as a military police officer. It seems like a great way to serve and gain valuable experiences. However, how often do National Guard military police get deployed?
The deployment likelihood for National Guard military police can be quite variable and is dependent on a variety of factors including world events, national security needs, and specific requests for assistance.
In the current geopolitical environment, National Guard Military Police units have the potential to be called up for federal active duty to serve overseas. These deployments typically last about a year. However, in addition to international deployments, National Guard units can also be tasked for domestic missions. These usually include disaster relief in the aftermath of natural catastrophes, assistance during civil disturbances, and aid during public health crises.
The National Guard is unique in this dual-responsibility role of serving both state and federal governments. Consequently, the frequency of deployments can be higher than that experienced by active duty Army MPs.
Also, it's important to know that units typically are deployed as a whole. It's quite rare to have individuals from a unit deployed without the rest. While there is ample notice for deployment, it could still mean having to take a leave of absence from work or college.
Resources you may find helpful for getting more personalized information include local National Guard recruiters. They will have up-to-date information on deployment likelihoods and can provide anecdotes from currently serving MPs. This can give you a retailed vision of what to expect.
In conclusion, joining the National Guard as a military police officer has the potential for both domestic and international deployments. The frequency of these deployments can be quite variable. It's important to consider how flexible you can be with disruptions to your personal, professional, and academic life due to potential deployments.
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