MP vs Security Forces

I’m working with Air Force Security Forces troops nowadays and many of them are thinking about going blue to green. The question that they have been asking me (and I’m passing on to you) is how do army MPs deploy? Are there specific companies (or other unit types) that don’t have regular policing/security duties when at there home station and just train or is it like the AF where you will work gates and patrols until you get the chance to deploy as an individual in a thrown together task force? These guys are set on getting more training and unit cohesion from the Army so the answer to this could make the difference for about 12 potential solders.

[Navy6064]

This might help your?


Artillery, armor units training to deploy as MPs

By Spc. William Addison and Staff Sgt. Pascual Flores
Spc. Chris Duffy, left, and Spc. Robert Groves, 107th Field Artillery, Pennsylvania National Guard, experience the fire power of an MK-19 40mm automatic grenade launcher at Range 59C, Fort Dix, N.J., as they train to deploy for a military police mission.
Staff Sgt. Pascual Flores


FORT DIX, N.J. (Army News Service, Jan. 28, 2004) -- Artillerymen normally pride themselves on their weapons, so when about 2,500 National Guard members were informed they were being deployed without their howitzers, it came as a shock.

Fort Dix has been designated a mobilization and training center for field artillery and armor units that are being deployed for missions normally performed by military police companies, said Col. Lonnie Barham, chief of the Strategic Mobility Division at Dix. Other artillery units have been training in MP skills at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., home of the Military Police School.

The National Guard units chosen for this new mission designated “in lieu of,” hail from various states from as far west as Texas and spanning the east coast from New Hampshire and Vermont to Florida.

Eleven National Guard units are already training at Fort Dix, including guardsmen from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The post expects the remaining units to arrive within the next 6-8 weeks.

While at Dix, the units will go through the normal mobilization process, such as the Soldier Readiness Check center that includes medical and dental evaluations, inoculations, and a full administrative review.

Then for the next 40 days, MP training will be conducted by various elements of the 78th Division (Training Support), from Edison, N.J. Soldiers whose passion is making grid squares disappear will learn new skills outside of their military occupational specialty.

Specifically, the Soldiers will be training in two aspects of the MP field, Maneuver and Mobility Support Operations, and Area Security operations. Some of the tasks include route reconnaissance and surveillance, convoy escorts, mounted and dismounted patrols and cordon and search techniques to name just a few.

The artillerymen will also be required to qualify on much smaller weapons than they are used to, including the M-16 or M-4 carbine, M-9 pistol, MK-19 40mm automatic grenade launcher, M-203 grenade launcher, AT-4 anti-tank weapon and M-249 Squad Automatic Weapon, know as the SAW.

Most of the Soldiers training for this new mission welcomed the new experience.

“My 3rd Platoon ‘Scorpions,’ are in high spirit on this new mission and their high morale even surprises me, said 1st Lt. West Martin, 112th Field Artillery, New Jersey National Guard.

“We have been at the ranges for the past week learning all types of weapons,” West said. “Guards are familiar with rifles and pistols, but now we are getting proficient and comfortable with the Army’s vast array of individual and crew-served weapons.”

“As Guardsmen, we partake in civil disturbance training once a year and in October 2001 we were mobilized for Operation Noble Eagle, tasked with providing security at airports, bridges and tunnels,” West said.

With all the changes going on within the Army, Soldiers like those in the 172nd New Hampshire National Guard have learned to cope with the pace.

“The key to our success is what we have been told all along -- be flexible,” said Sgt. Brad Mills about his unit’s ability to learn the new skills. “With every obstacle there’s something to overcome and we are used to being adaptive,” he added.

“I think everyone who’s in the artillery would rather tow a M-198 behind them, but a mission is a mission,” said Sgt. Bill Chaussee, also of the 172nd.

“It came as a disappointment,” said Sgt. 1st Class Thomas McGee, platoon sergeant for 4th Platoon, 172nd Field Artillery from New Hampshire. “There are a lot of us that love artillery, but we can adjust.”

Also participating in this training are guardsmen from Pennsylvania armor and air defense units.

[Field_Sailor]

Can the Guard do BTG? Or are they going active?

I think that my post might have been unclear. I am an ARNG artillerists called up to augment an AF Security Forces squadron. The personnel that I work with are active duty Air Force who are dissatisfied with their service. They want to stay active but they want to be in an environment where they get to train on a regular basis and where they will get deployed with there unit instead of troops that they have never met. Pardon any confusion, I’m still getting used to righting in the forum format.

[Field_Sailor]

I get ya now. I was just curious thanks.

[USMC Chuter]

D, I'll try to answer your question as best I can. I don't claim to be a scholar on MP affairs, but I'll fill you in on what I've seen. In the Marines, there are "field" MP's and "garrison" MP's. Field MP's are generally assigned to MP companies in deployable units, while garrison MP's are assigned directly to the base itself. Field MP's are greater in numbers and generally concentrate on force protection, EPW, convoy escort roles, etc.. Garrison MP's usually concentrate on gate duties and law enforcement functions on base.

During my unfortunate stint in the ARNG, the MP's I saw were mostly of the field variety, attached to the brigade I was a part of. They trained primarily for force protection, escort, etc.. On occasion you'd see them augmenting the Air Force gate guard types, but I never saw them participating in base law enforcement functions. That particular ARNG brigade is now deployed, and the MP contingent went with them, in a field role. Hope this helps.

Yes you will deploy with a unit be it a company, battallion or brigade sized element. I'm in a battallion and our whole unit deployed to Guantanamo in 02, we were actually split up according to where the JTF needed us.....MPs worked camp delta, MI guys worked in the camp too, supply guys worked in the camp and in the warehouses, admin (personell)guys typically worked outside the camp. Deployments also depend on what your unit's mission is......I am in an EPW (enemy prisoner of war) unit so we will most likely be babysitting again on our next deployment, BUT we could end up doing any MP mission, we will find out when the time comes.

[SPC_Thomas]

While in Iraq i ran into three specific type of MP's. One was the guys running up and down the roads patroling mounted in vehicles. Another were running around the larger posts acting as garrison police while others manned the gates and patroled the outskirts of the AO. the Thrid type was the Infantry, Artillery, Combat Service Support guys that were either cross trained or just found themselves in that job by virtue of being there. I know this doesnt answer your question too well but unfortunaly there is no set answer. If they were to become MP's in the Army, they would probably deploy with their own unit. unless they possess some spec ASI which would make them more likely to depoy sooner then the rest of thier unit.

[MACTANK]

Originally Posted by Fred93GT

Yes you will deploy with a unit be it a company, battallion or brigade sized element. I'm in a battallion and our whole unit deployed to Guantanamo in 02, we were actually split up according to where the JTF needed us.....MPs worked camp delta, MI guys worked in the camp too, supply guys worked in the camp and in the warehouses, admin (personell)guys typically worked outside the camp. Deployments also depend on what your unit's mission is......I am in an EPW (enemy prisoner of war) unit so we will most likely be babysitting again on our next deployment, BUT we could end up doing any MP mission, we will find out when the time comes.

You must be out of the Inkster unit. My daughter is deployed to Guantanimo with that unit now.

[USAFDefender]

I seriously considered B2G and the warrant officer program not too long ago. The only thing that stopped me was when I heard most units were sitting in Iraq 13+ months. With a wife and two young kids...no thank you.

[Rusty24]

You might want to let them know that a majority of individuals that are doing the blue to green are loosing a stripe. Plus, they are seeing what Army MP's do as far as deployments ..... OK ...... so that is what they are doing there. They fail to realize what they will be doing back stateside ....... I.E. JRTC, NTC, local field exercises, hurry up and wait blah, blah, blah.

I really think that the majority of these cats do not realize what they are getting into when they do this switch over. If they do ...... more power to them. Atleast they are not getting out and becoming an anti-war protester.

I have seen and been on both sides of the fence. I have done my fair share on JRTC's and two NTC's. I have been there for Purple Dragons and Brigade FTX's. I have also done the MOPP 4 for 5 hours in 100 degree temps.

If they do want to make the swap, good on them, but make sure they have it on paper EXACTLY what they will be getting when they cross.

[333MP]

If they do want to make the swap, good on them, but make sure they have it on paper EXACTLY what they will be getting when they cross.

I totaly agree. Being an MP is a great job. As an E-4 you could be leading you own team, which is the general element of MP's. Anything beyone E-4 you might loose rank and that would suck.