Observations of Military Law Enforcement

Military police officers are active duty, National Guard, or reserve military members tasked with policing military members and property all over the world.

My time as a military cop was great. I enjoyed every minute of it. I wouldn't trade one second of my experiences in military law enforcement for a job with the highest paying civilian law enforcement agency in the country.

This is just a short list of the things I learned as a military policeman:

-- After a 12-hour shift that included a DUI investigation, a shoplifting case and a report of domestic violence, you can still be told you're going to Iraq.

-- Your commander's law enforcement experience rarely extends outside of the classroom.

-- As if the drunks and drug dealers weren't enough, you've got to worry about the Taliban.

-- No matter how many Special Forces, Green Berets, Navy Seals or Infantry grunts you've got living on your base, you are the front line of defense.

-- No matter how much you know or how much experience you have, you will always know less than the person you have to answer to, mostly because he says so. Don't worry, he's usually wrong.

-- You still have the option of changing the scenery. The military needs law enforcement and security functions provided worldwide. The average military cop has the potential to patrol in multiple countries, regions, and climates during one service contract term.

-- Getting a car with a working light bar meant a "good" start to the shift.

-- According to many of my past commanders, the shine on your boots and the crease in your sleeve will affect your ability to fight crime.

-- No matter how many times you polish your boots, the guy in handcuffs never notices.

-- Just because you can't take your gun or your cruiser home it doesn't make you any less of a cop. Any person who makes the decision to become a police officer based solely on the amount of gear and guns they get to take home doesn't have the maturity to handle the career field.

-- Physical fitness doesn't stop after academy graduation. Military police (just like the rest of the military) are expected to maintain certain physical fitness standards. Maintaining these standards is important to being able to perform effectively as a military policeman. Few civilian agencies have caught on to this idea.

-- For some reason, the dirtiest, most violent, and most vulgar suspect is always more pleasant to deal with than a full bird Colonel on a traffic stop.

-- You get to retire after 20 years. No local agency can offer that.

I hope you've enjoyed the list. This is no way meant to be an all inclusive discussion of the subject, it is only meant to be an entertaining observation of a job I enjoyed performing. I honestly feel that military law enforcement is the best option for any person who wants to pursue a career in law enforcement while receiving the benefits and pride that military service has to offer.