Role Overview
Military Police, often called MPs, are the law enforcement and security professionals of the armed forces.
They:
- Protect lives and property on bases
- Enforce military laws and regulations
- Support combat operations with security, route control and detainee operations
- Help maintain order, discipline and safety for service members and their families
In the U.S. Army the enlisted MP job is MOS 31B Military Police. There is also a 31A Military Police Officer role for commissioned officers.
If you like the idea of law enforcement, security and helping keep people safe, but you also want to serve in uniform and support deployed missions, MP is the core military pathway into that world.
What Military Police Actually Do
MPs have a surprisingly wide mission set. In the Army, Military Police support five main functions:
- Law and order operations on bases
- Patrol military installations
- Respond to calls, traffic accidents and disturbances
- Investigate minor offenses and write reports
- Enforce traffic and safety regulations
- Area security and combat support
- Secure command posts, supply areas and key facilities
- Escort convoys and protect movements
- Provide route reconnaissance and control
- Support maneuver units by maintaining freedom of movement in the battlespace
- Internment and resettlement operations
- Guard and manage detainees or prisoners of war
- Support internment facilities and processing operations
- Help ensure compliance with law of armed conflict and detainee standards
- Maneuver and mobility support operations
- Control key intersections, choke points and main supply routes
- Direct traffic and help prevent congestion and vulnerability
- Help commanders shape the movement of forces and civilians in the area
- Police intelligence operations
- Collect and share information about threats, crime trends and local conditions
- Support higher level intelligence and security efforts
On a typical day you might be doing base police work similar to civilian patrol officers. On deployment you might be running convoy security, managing access control points, or helping secure detainee facilities.
Work Environment
Military Police serve in many environments:
- Home bases and garrisons
- MP stations and patrol cars
- Desk work for reports and investigations
- Traffic control points and gate security
- Training areas
- Field exercises where you practice convoy escort, detainee operations and route security
- Joint exercises with other units to rehearse combat support missions
- Deployed locations
- Forward operating bases
- Host nation cities and road networks
- Multinational mission areas where you coordinate with allied forces and local police
Expect:
- Work both indoors and outdoors
- Lots of time on your feet or in patrol vehicles
- Shift work, including nights, weekends and holidays
- Periods in field gear with weapon, armor and equipment
MPs straddle the line between garrison policing and field combat support, so the environment can switch from fairly routine to high stress quickly.
Entry Requirements And Training
Here we will focus mainly on 31B Military Police at the enlisted level.
Basic eligibility
- Meet general enlistment requirements for age, citizenship and background
- High school diploma or GED
- Meet height, weight, vision and hearing standards
- Qualify for a security clearance, typically at least Secret
Aptitude
You will take the ASVAB. MP candidates need adequate scores in:
- General Technical (for report writing and investigations)
- Combat or skilled technical areas, depending on updated standards
Recruiters and official Army MP pages emphasize interest in law enforcement, security and helping others as helpful traits.
Training pipeline
- Basic Combat Training
- About 10 weeks
- Core soldier skills, weapons, physical fitness and discipline
- Advanced Individual Training (AIT) for Military Police
- Typically around 20 weeks at the U.S. Army Military Police School (USAMPS), Fort Leonard Wood
- You learn:
- Military and civilian law basics
- Arrest and restraint techniques
- Crime scene security and basic investigation
- Traffic control, accident response and DUI enforcement
- Use of force, defensive tactics and weapons employment
- Detainee operations and internment procedures
After AIT you join an MP company where you receive on the job training specific to your unit, mission and installation.
Officer path (31A)
Military Police Officers:
- Are commissioned, usually with a bachelor degree in criminal justice, political science, psychology or related fields
- Attend Basic Officer Leadership Course and MP Officer Basic at Fort Leonard Wood
- Lead MP platoons, manage investigations and advise commanders on policing and security topics
Core Skills And Personal Traits
Successful MPs tend to share a combination of law enforcement and soldier qualities:
- Integrity and strong ethics
You enforce rules and often deal with sensitive incidents. Trustworthiness is essential. - Calm under stress
You may respond to accidents, fights or serious crimes and must stay composed. - People skills
You talk with victims, suspects, witnesses and unit leaders, sometimes in emotionally charged situations. - Attention to detail
Reports, evidence and procedures must be accurate and complete. - Physical fitness
You may chase, restrain or move people and equipment, often in full gear. - Decision making
You often make quick calls on use of force, arrest, search and safety. - Team orientation
You work closely with your MP partner, squad and supported units.
If you are drawn to law enforcement, like helping people, and can balance firmness with fairness, MP may feel like a natural fit.
Education And Long Term Development
Minimum education is high school diploma or GED, but law enforcement is a field where additional education opens doors.
While in service, MPs often:
- Take college classes in criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology or homeland security
- Complete associate or bachelor degrees using tuition assistance
- Attend specialized courses in:
- Accident investigation
- K9 handling
- Protective services
- Special reaction teams (similar to SWAT)
- Crime prevention and community policing
After service, degrees and your MP background together can help you compete for:
- Civilian police jobs
- Federal law enforcement positions
- Corrections, probation or parole roles
- Security management positions in the private sector
Earnings Potential And Benefits
While in the military
Military Police are paid according to rank and time in service. However, real world data gives good ballpark figures:
- Indeed and similar sources report average MP pay around 49,000 dollars per year across the United States, which aligns with typical enlisted ranks plus allowances.
- A detailed guide from MyBaseGuide notes many MPs fall between 39,000 and 45,000 dollars per year, roughly 3,200 to 3,750 dollars per month, usually around the E5 level with some years of experience.
- Broader military pay articles show that by year four, many enlisted members at the E5 level can reach total compensation around 80,000 dollars when you include base pay, housing, food and tax advantages, especially in higher cost locations.
Your total package includes:
- Base pay
- Housing allowance
- Food allowance
- Healthcare at very low direct cost
- 30 days of paid leave per year
- Education benefits such as the GI Bill
- Retirement options if you serve long term
Civilian earnings after MP service
Most MPs who go into civilian law enforcement compete in the same market as other police officers and detectives.
- The median annual wage for police and detectives in the U.S. is about 77,270 dollars as of May 2024. The top 10 percent earn more than 120,460 dollars.
- Private detectives and investigators have a median wage around 52,370 dollars with higher pay in some industries.
Former MPs can also find work in:
- Federal agencies like Border Patrol, DEA, US Marshals and others
- Corporate security, loss prevention and risk management
Your long term earning power depends heavily on your education, experience and which branch of law enforcement or security you choose.
Day In The Life Of A Military Police Soldier
Every unit is different, but a typical garrison day for an MP might look like this.
Early morning
- Physical training, often running, calisthenics or circuit workouts
- Shower, uniform inspection and formation
- Receive shift assignments and brief on current conditions around the base
On patrol
- Conduct vehicle and foot patrols on base
- Respond to calls such as:
- Traffic accidents
- Domestic disputes in base housing
- Suspicious activity around facilities
- Alarms or welfare checks
- Stop vehicles for traffic violations, check IDs and issue warnings or citations
- Write up incident reports and enter data into law enforcement systems
Administrative and training time
When not on patrol you may:
- Qualify or re qualify with weapons and non lethal tools
- Practice defensive tactics and handcuffing techniques
- Train on legal updates, evidence handling and procedures
- Take part in base safety campaigns or crime prevention events
Field training or deployment
In the field or on deployment, your day changes:
- Patrol and secure perimeters and access control points
- Escort convoys and VIP movements
- Guard detainee or internment facilities
- Coordinate with combat units on route security and area security operations
The work mixes routine tasks with unpredictable incidents. Some days are quiet, others are very busy and stressful.
Career Growth Stages And Promotion Path
Military Police have both enlisted and officer career ladders.
Enlisted 31B progression
The Army Career Progression Plan for Military Police lays out a structured path:
Junior MP (Private to Specialist)
- Focus on learning core patrolling, traffic, detainee and report writing skills
- Complete MP AIT and any mandatory follow on training
- Work patrol, gate duty, basic field missions
Squad level MP (Corporal to Sergeant)
- Take on team leader roles on patrols
- Train junior MPs in procedures and tactics
- Begin to coordinate small scale operations like checkpoints or small convoy escorts
Senior NCO (Staff Sergeant and above)
- Serve as squad leader, platoon sergeant or operations NCO
- Manage shift schedules, training plans and unit law enforcement programs
- Oversee specialized sections, for example K9, traffic accident investigations or special reaction teams
Military Police can also move into related specialties like:
- Corrections (31E) for detainee and prison operations
- Criminal investigations support roles with the CID or similar organizations
Officer MP progression
Military Police Officers (31A):
- Start as platoon leaders, responsible for 20 to 40 soldiers
- Promote to company command and staff roles
- Later may serve at battalion, brigade and higher headquarters as provost marshal staff officers
Officers can specialize in:
- Law and order operations
- Investigations
- Corrections and detention operations
- Protection and antiterrorism programs
Employment Outlook
The military MP field is driven primarily by overall force structure and mission needs. MP units remain essential for:
- Base security
- Law and order
- Detainee operations
- Combat support in deployed environments
There is no sign that the need for MPs is going away. If anything, complex missions, multinational exercises and continued overseas commitments keep MP skills in demand.
For civilian law enforcement:
- Overall employment of police and detectives is projected to grow about 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, roughly as fast as the average for all occupations.
There will continue to be:
- Ongoing hiring to replace retiring officers
- Demand in local, state and federal agencies
- A parallel market in private security and investigations
Your MP experience, combined with a clean record and education, puts you in a good position to compete for those jobs.
Advantages Of A Military Police Career
People who enjoy being MPs often appreciate:
- Clear sense of purpose
You protect your fellow service members and their families. - Immediate impact
Your actions can prevent crime, reduce harm and stabilize dangerous situations. - Structured career path
Training, ranks and roles are clearly defined. - Strong civilian crossover
Your skills map directly onto many civilian law enforcement and security roles. - Variety
You might work patrol, traffic, investigations support, K9, field security and more over a career.
Challenges And Realities
There are serious downsides to consider:
- Exposure to danger and conflict
MPs may confront armed individuals, respond to violent incidents or operate in combat zones. - Emotional load
You may deal with domestic violence, accidents, death, substance abuse and other heavy situations. - Shift work
Nights, weekends and holidays are part of the job. That can be hard on family life. - Scrutiny and accountability
Law enforcement actions are closely examined. You must be comfortable with high standards. - Legal complexity
You must know military law, rules of engagement, use of force policy and base regulations and apply them correctly in real time.
If these realities give you pause, that is normal. It is better to think them through up front.
Is This Career A Good Fit For You
You may be well suited for Military Police if you:
- Are drawn to law enforcement and security
- Value rules, fairness and helping maintain order
- Can stay calm and communicate clearly when others are upset or scared
- Are willing to accept risk to protect others
- Are okay with working nights, weekends and holidays
- Like a structured environment and clear chain of command
If you are unsure whether MP truly fits your deeper motivations and work style, it helps to get an objective picture.
Is this career a good fit for you
Take the MAPP assessment at www.assessment.com to see how your unique motivational profile aligns with a career as a Military Police soldier and with other law, security and military specialties.
The MAPP assessment looks at what actually energizes you at work. That insight can help you compare MP with options like criminal investigator, corrections specialist, intelligence analyst, cyber operations, or more support oriented roles.
How To Get Started
- Take the MAPP assessment
Use your results as a starting point for a conversation with a recruiter or career counselor about law and security roles. - Research the MP field in detail
Read official descriptions for 31B Military Police and 31A Military Police Officer on Army sites and Guard sites. - Talk to current or former MPs if you can
Ask what they liked, what was hardest, what surprised them, and how it translated to civilian life. - Prepare yourself now
- Stay physically fit
- Avoid legal trouble, substance abuse and serious financial problems
- Take classes in criminal justice or related subjects if available
- Think ahead to life after service
Decide whether you might want to:- Become a local or state police officer
- Pursue federal law enforcement
- Work in corporate security or investigations
Planning early helps you choose the right education and assignments while you are still in uniform.
