Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 10/9/2010

Question
Hi!
I recently graduated high school in June. I have been very interested in joining a military branch for about the last 2-3 years. I have been going back and forth with either the Marines,Army and Navy but for a while now, I feel that the Army will be my best choice, but I am still in the "looking into it" phase and I have not yet contacted a recruiter because I want to make sure the Army is my best choice. The internet only has a limited amount of information that I can look up on MP's and what it is like to be a MP in this day and age and what it is like to be a MP overseas.

I definitely want to have a career in law enforcement/criminal justice and be a police officer later in life. The Military Police force of the Army really draws my attention. What is it like to be a MP? in the US and on deployment? Are MP's in demand and is it hard to get a MP slot if I went to a recruiters office?
I can use all the information and advice you can give me. I really want to make sure I am making the right choice. I hear a lot of different things about what it is like to be a MP on blogs on the internet but I can not trust that the people of yahoo answers that they are really MP's (i highly doubt it). So it would be nice to get input from a actual MP or at least someone who is familiar with it.

I know you probably can not answer this question but what are the chances of actually deploying overseas to Iraq/Afghanistan if I were to join in the next few months? That question is always in the back of my mind and would not affect whether I join or not,But I just always thought about it.

If i were to join the Army I would plan on doing Active Army and then once my contract is up. I will go to a four year college to earn my criminal justice degree and fulfill my career as a police officer. Or would you recommend the Army Reserve?

Sorry for such a long autobiography of myself, but I am confused and would love your input and advice. Thanks!!

Christine

Answer
Christine:
Wow.. long question but I'm going to do my best to try and answer all facets of it.  

As far as what its like to be an MP, I can say it is a challenging and rewarding experience.  We are one of the few specialities that has a job to do both deployed and back at home station so it is never boring.  As a patrolman you could expect to write tickets, perform traffic stops, go on all kinds of normal police calls as well as spend time training for your combat mission.  Every day brings a new and different challenge.  Deployed, MPs do more patrol and police training functions as well as convoy escort, prisoner guard, and combat patrol.  
Military Police are always in demand and I am pretty sure, as long as you have the qualifying scores on the ASVAB, that you could secure a slot.   
Chances for deployment are high, though.  We, as the force of choice, are in constant demand and still deploy pretty frequently.  As far as recommending the reserves, I'm not sure.. you should take advantage of the programs that are available while you're in the Army and you could probably be pretty close or have your degree in 4 years... Tuition assistance and the GI bill are both available to active duty Soldiers and every base has an education center that will help you achieve your goals.  

I hope this answers most of your questions and, please, if you have more questions follow up with me..

best of luck in your decision.