I'm a SGT getting ready to change my MOS from 19K to MP. Just have a few questions that if someone could answer I'd be very greatful. First where is AIT. 2. How long will it be for a insert? 3 Can I bring my family? 4. When/how could I get to be a dog handler? 5. What all does a SGT main job consist of? Thanks for ya help.

Respectfully,
SGT Gore

thats good that you want to reclas to MP. MP Corps has so many different things that you could do. First AIT will be for about 9 weeks at fort leonard wood, MO. NO you will not be allowed to bring your family. A dog handler is an additional skill identifier (ASI) that you can request using a DA Form 4187 after you finish AIT. You could end up working in law enforcement or with in a combat support unit. both sides has its ups and downs. As an E-5 you could work a lot of different positions whether it be a team leader, squad leader, desk sergeant, mp investigator, traffic investigation, physical security, dog handler, etc... It is a good field to get into. Any more questions just ask me.

Good choice if you ask me. I love being an MP, no matter how much crap people talk. I'd wait a little bit before becoming a dog handler though. I recommend that to anyone, no matter what additional skill or special assignment they wish to obtain. The reason is this: just like you are a soldier first, you are an MP first. Everyone needs to know how to work the road and do it well. And trust me, with this whole "combat MP" deal lately, that's becoming few and far between. When you get involved in the special aspects of MP duties, it's easy to forget how to do the little things. With K9, you have to work the road, AND deal with your dog and it's training and proficiency. That's a lot to worry about. The same with Traffic. And SRT is an entirely different mentality.

Elite_SGTMP
Is CS Spray training part of AIT? What is the difference between a MP Investigator and a CID agent? Also what do you mean by a combat support unit? Thanks for your help in getting my questions answered.

MPI investigator is easier to get into than CID, they investigate crimes that are a little bigger than a regular MP would do, but not too serious. You usually wear civilian clothes and have your own office and all that fun stuff. CID is the army's investigation department, harder to get into but you will investigate homicade, grand larceny, etc. They also have a PSD detachment. I dont think you get CS sprayed in basic but you will get it at your unit. The MP career field has many, many different career paths. combat support is one of them. You can get assigned to a division and never work L&O. You will basically train to support the infantry brigade your assigned to. A good example would be the brigade combat teams the army is switching too. One brigade has one MP platoon in it. They do not conduct L&O, they primarily do training for the field all year round. Thats what people call "combat MP", even though there is no such thing.

just to show you the job your getting into and how many different assignments you could get just being a SGT, I thought I would list a few:

1. Team leader, squad leader, or even PSG (MP's are a critical shortage field right now)

2. MPI Investigator
3. CID investigator---
you could work in CID's PSD detachment
you could work in an office at some post
with 1 other guy and investigate homicides
and other serious crimes
4. you could work as a leader on the post's Special Reaction Team (SRT), which is the Army's version of the SWAT team

5. You could be a dog handler, either for L&O missions or in support of combat oriented units.

6. You could be a desk sergeant at a PMO
7. You could work the bases's physical security.

8. You could be in charge of the base's Traffic section, (you do radar and investigate traffic accidents).

9. You could help out the Echo's and work as a corrective officer at a prison or jail.

10. You can still be picked up as a Drill Sergeant or Recruiter or other DA select assignments.

...Those are just a few off the top of my head..yes there are more. And be advised these can change from one assignment to the next, meaning you could be an airborne MP at a combat support platoon one day and the next your sitting in belgium at a desk working the PMO.

Congrats on going MP. I’ve been one for 8 years now and can’t be happier. I’ve been at Ft. hood doing Law and order (L&O) and Combat support (CS/ Combat MP) and at Ft. Monroe as only L&O. I’m now in the guard and do both missions still to include a stint in Germany for 2 years.

As to what you will do is based largely on where you will be stationed. Once you fill in the needs of the army your job will be laid out for you. As an E-5 you will be a team leader and if it’s a CS unit you are for all intensive and quick conversation purposes the leader of a 3 man mechanized infantry crew. If you see the inside of a patrol car it’s because you screwed up bad. If you get a little post there is a good chance you will be L&O and spend a good amount of time in the cruiser.

NOTE: If you get a state side post there is a very good chance you will share the road commitment with Department of the Army Civilian Police or DACP’s. Those are the guys in the blue BDU’s who you see driving the MP cars. The intent of that program being created a few years back was to replace CONUS MP’s but their numbers just can’t be made so it tends to be a split commitment.

As for the special jobs (MPI, K9, SRT, Traffic) I would compare it best to a leg infantry man being sent to Airborne school. It does happen but a special circumstance/ need usually has to happen. Your command will need you more as a troop rather then transferring you to the specialty garrison sections. Just as another person said,it would be best to get the base development as a patrolman before you might go to a specialty section but in my humble opinion your best chance to get into one of those sections would be in the first hours of your arrival (CSM interview) to your duty station before you are assigned to the line platoon.

CID is an entirely separate investigative organization and surprisingly enough you don’t have to be a MP to get in, but it helps a lot. If you want more info on that I could track some down for you but it sounds like your plans are set for at least the near term.

As for OC (pepper) spray in AIT, I do believe my most recent private had it done to him. I’m at DS school right now and I will ask him soon to clarify. Even if you don’t get it in school you can expect it in your unit.

Hope I helped a bit and feel free to ask any more questions.

Assist, Protect, Defend!!!