How To Join the Military Police in the Marine Corps
This is the step-by-step process on how to join the military police, from the requirements to the training and disqualifications; we've got you covered.
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Joining any branch in the military is an extensive process, from requirements, to training, responsibilities, and more. Do you fit the ideal identity of a military police officer in the Marine Corps? Is this the correct path for you?
You will only know by placing yourself into those requirements, descriptions, and with some one on one experience. If you are wondering how to join the military police, these are the steps to take in order to begin this process.
What does a military police officer do?
The first question you should ask when considering how to join the military police, is what does a military police officer do?
The duties of a military police officer include upholding the criminal justice system, in order to maintain peace and order, as well as discipline. Military police also support the commander's law enforcement and security requirements.
They will protect the lives and property of the Marine Corps, control traffic, prevent crime, and respond to emergencies. They will maintain the supply route regulation and enforcement. And, they conduct Force Protection, Anti-Terrorism, Area Security, Internment/Resettlement, Maneuver and Mobility Support, Law & Order, and Police Intelligence Operations and crime prevention programs.
First, review your options with a recruiter.
Though you may have your heart set on becoming a military police officer in the Marine Corps, each branch of the US Armed Forces has officers assigned to the aircrafts, ships, and cases.
So as your first step in how to join the military police, speak to a recruiter about the options you will have as a military police officer. This will allow you to discuss your future with someone who is experienced and knowledgeable.
They will be able to tell you which branches of service have openings for your position as well as the intricate qualifications of the jobs and placement exams. Being able to have a one-on-one conversation will certainly open your mind up to new possibilities as well as determine if you are the correct fit for the job. Speaking to someone whose job it is to recruit you for the position will better allow you to gauge your future with the service.
Consider the job's requirements.
Job requirements on how to join the military police include a list of boxes you must check off. You must complete this list of yeses in order to be considered for the job. First, you must process a GT score of 100 or higher. You must also be eligible for a secret security clearance, have normal color vision, be 19 years or older, be a minimum height of 65 inches, and be a US citizen.
You must also have a valid state driver's license, vision correctable to 20/20, have clarity of speech, and zero history of nervous, mental, or emotional disorders. Plus, you must have no convictions by special or general courts, and complete the training and certifications required for the position. This includes, for active duty marines, the Law Enforcement Military Police, and for prior service reserve marines, attend the MP Course.
Take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
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The next step in how to join the military police is to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or the ASVAB. This is simply a placement test required to be taken by any recruit.
This will gauge your suitability for the correct occupation. If you have a particular military occupation in mind, this will be the determiner of this. By testing your personal preferences as well as the needs of the service and test scores, the test will determine the training program in which you will be placed in.
It is often suggested to take this test before you make a concrete decision in your military commitment. This is because the test could place you in a branch that you have not considered, but will ultimately disappoint you. Go in with an open mind.
Then, you must complete the basic military police training.
Basic Training is a requirement of any enlisted member of the military. And as your next step of how to join the military police, basic military police training is the next process you will begin. As every newly enlisted personnel will do, you will report for duty for the initial basic training.
The program will typically last eight to 13 weeks, and it is a form of boot camp depending on the branch of service to introduce you to military life. Training will test your adaptability to this life, as well as teach you the protocol, procedure, and military vocabulary. Plus, it will physically train military police officers as well as build team cohesiveness.
Attend the Military Police Basic Officers Course
After you complete your basic military training, you, as well as all of the new recruits, will then attend the Military Police Basic Officers Course. This is a nine-week program that will educate recruits the facets of law enforcement. Once completed, recruits will then report to their duty stations.
This program varies by branch. For example, the Air Force has a 65-day Security Forces Specialist technical training program. As one of the most important steps on how to join the military police, this is your last step until you've completed your training and testing.
Consider continuing education.
Pursuing continuing education is not a requirement of how to join the military police. However, it is an opportunity that many police officers consider in order to improve their career.
This can be done by pursuing an undergraduate degree in criminal justice or other related majors such as this. And if you are considering this, it is important to know that technical military training programs can count toward college credits, which can be used toward an associate's degree.
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Adrian Scott
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