I have been in the military for several years now and have never had to deal with MP’s for anything. Until Today. I was told to inspect 100% of the vechicles that came through my checkpoint today. Had to check a one star general, and he came back and decided to talk to all of us in a positive manner. In my opinion 100% means everyone. So when an MP comes rolling through the checkpoint we stop them too. One would think that an MP doesn’t have more pressing business than a one star general. Have stopped several and no problems until a PFC comes rolling through today.
I inform him to get out of the vehicle so we can search it. He refuses, his excuse…? He is an MP! I inform him that I don’t care, and I think that hurt his feelings. Cause we went back and forth on this for several minutes until I practically forced him out of my area. I told him where to go and he parked right in the road blocking all outgoing traffic. Busy me barked at him to pulled ahead and out of the way…, didn’t swear, just said firmly to move. Then I got a lecture from him on how he is an MP and I (Being an NCO, in charge of the detail, and two pay grades above him) can not talk to him like that. I will admit this puzzled me and I stood there for a second making sure he was a PFC and I just don’t need glasses. Sure enough the little cocksucker is, and probably fresh out of AIT too.
Then this little fuck gets out of the car and all into my face informing me about how he is an MP and how he doesn’t have to take orders from me regardless of my rank, that this is his post (found out later that he is from a post an hour away), and conviently rests his hand on his pistol at his side. Then one of my LT’s come over to tell him to just go, which the person that he was waiting for to get papers from the MP station had returned by then. After argueing with the LT explaining that WE can’t talk to him this way, and the LT repeating, OK please leave, over and over he finally left.
I can understand my LT to an extent…, he got him out of there which was most important at the time. However everyone else just joked about it and laughed. I think it is kind of a problem to have an MP come into my area of operation and start telling me what to do when he hasn’t even been doing his own job a year. Being near by the MP station I decided to talk to the desk sergeant in there about this and hopefully resolve it. (was told I should give one of my own soldiers an article 15 for less recently). He didn’t give a fuck! He yelled at me for checking MP vechicles…, I had to argue with an E-5 about why his soldier has no respect or disicpline. Basically he defended him. He stated that I have to check the one star general but not MP’s. I asked if that meant that an MP has more pressing business than a general. Then he told me I was putting words in his mouth. I don’t see how, I just said it more bluntly. Then he caved and said that this guy doesn’t even work there.
I stopped CID that came by to negotiate a hostage situation, fire chiefs that were sent to investigate some explosion, an ambulance with two patients in the back, one without pants on, and the general. The only problem I had was with this one PFC. If its that important for some of the vechicles to come through why can’t they establish a password system or call in advance announcing thier arrival?
I had to call the MP station on another post and talk to the desk sergeant there before I got someone that understood this issue. Then again he may of said just what I wanted to hear to get me off the phone. I guess I should of been an MP so I don’t have to follow orders.
Thursday, 14. September 2006
From what you wrote, i assume that this PFC MP was on duty. I’ve seen MP’s be assholes like that when they are off duty (i reluctantly admit that i am one) and expect the same authorative treatment. however, if he was on duty and going somewhere, it’s not so much that it’s more important than whatever the one star had going on that day, but you don’t know what that young MP had going on. what if he was going to a rape case or was transporting evidence or doing a money escort? you would be tampering with an investigation. regardless of his age, he still has the authority to conduct these investigations (assuming that he’s gone to the appropriate schools). HOWEVER, i do completely agree with you that he could have been more respectful of your rank. unfortunately, not all MP’s have tact and/or social skills.
Friday, 15. September 2006
His urgency was to pick up paperwork, and he informed me deliberatly that this was his post, and I can’t tell him what to do even though he wants to come into my AO.
Even still if I reclass today to an MP I will have no experience what-so-ever but would be in charge of him.
Monday, 18. September 2006
The things he said were just like most PFC Mp’s (I used to be one just more tactful and smarter) He should have done what he was asked to do by someone who out ranked him and then went to the Mp station and asked if the gates always checked MP’s on duty and handled it that way we’ve had gate guards try to stop us and we handled it that way and they were told to not stop Mp’s anymore just check our ID’s (make sure all was well and that there wasn’t any durress or other problems), and we were told that if problems kept arrising they would be delt with.
Tuesday, 19. September 2006
Well i’m an MP and if he was an MP on duty, i wouldn’t think that you would search him. But he didnt have to be an ass about it. And especially being a PFC, he probablly just has a big head from dealing with everybody, because when he goes to calls he’s the one that decides weather that SFC, 1sg, Captain or LT come back to the station with him in handcuffs or gets a ticket or a manditory court summons, you know? SO most people are like, oh yeah whatever you say PFC, to stay in his good graces. And he might be in a unit that doesn’t deploy, they tend to be little pogue bitches
Tuesday, 19. September 2006
ps
don’t become an MP.. it sucks..
Tuesday, 19. September 2006
Yeah, I am in 2ID South Korea…, we deployed a brigade 2 years ago, had the most casualties out of any other unit that has gone to Korea, and I doubt we will ever deploy from here to Iraq again.
Wednesday, 20. September 2006
I was bird hunting on Ft Polk when 2 MPs in a Military truck drove up to me(way out in the friggin woods) disarmed, searched, and put me in handcuffs. Their excuse, ‘they weren’t sure it was bird season and needed to wait for a Game Warden”. Thank God the game Warden(A LA state game warden) didn’t have his head up his 5th point and checked my license, told the MPs to un-cuff and release me. I’m feelin the MP frustration also.
Friday, 22. September 2006
Man I detest MP’s with a pation…. they think they can run the Army and anyone in it! Listen I think you did the right thing, they are no better then anyone else, especialy no General. I have not ran into a situation yet in my 7 and a half years in the Military, but if I do I will give one of those cocky MP’s a world the mess with. I am not going to be told what to do or how to do my job by no PFC who just came into the Military. I think with my 2 combat depoyments, my purple heart and my time in, I earn a little respect!
Friday, 22. September 2006
I can understand all of your frustrations with the MP’s because I am one. Please understand that in this case, the PFC was way out of line, but if he is on duty, he has a HUGE responsibility. We as MP’s have so much on our plates that we forget that you other MOS’s are just doing your jobs. If you have orders to search 100% of the vehicles coming into your AO then do it but if an ON DUTY MP comes through your gate let him pass because we are more than likely responding to something on post. We have the job that nobody wants to do until something happens and where do you turn to? The MP’s! We have the most thankless job in the military. I have done 2 tours in Iraq (Baghdad and Mosul) and I get treated like crap regardless of where I have been. I have worked along side with Infantry units (82nd Airborne, and 1-24) and when they needed back up who did they call? Us! Please remember that we have a stressful job because nobody wants to do what we do. Nobody wants to respond to the domestics, drunks, child abuse/neglect, stray dogs, enforcing the traffic laws and all of the other laws that the generals have told us to enforce. Let me challenge you with something, next time you see an MP on duty, say “Thank you.” We are soldiers first then Military Police. Please don’t judge all MP’s because of one stupid PFC. I’m proud of serving with the Infantry and I hope that we have left a good impression on them. MP’s of the troops, for the troops!!!
Friday, 22. September 2006
SPC Stark, you didn’t read what I wrote. I argued with the PFC then tried to report it and got attitude with the SGT that was in there. He expressed his urgency was to pick up papers, if he complied with my orders I may have taken 5 minutes of his time., if he used tact I may of taken less. As far you getting no appreciation, welcome to the Army. I was working 12 hour shifts starting at midnight, in full battle rattle including sappy plates while he was in a beret chilling in his air conditioned TMP. I have done everything you said, because when you respond to things like that and it�s my soldier I show up too. It�s my job as an NCO.
So let me challenge you, next time you see an NCO on duty tell him, Thank you. Cause regardless of MOS we all bust our ass without appreciation. And being an NCO, we continue the paperwork and everything you start after you leave the scene. Then there are the occasions we don’t call you. I have had soldiers punch through a window with chicken wire pull his arm out spurting blood because he cut an artery and was getting ready to punch it again. Took 3 of us including the 1SG to pin him down to apply pressure to his arm so he didn’t bleed to death, while the MP was too pissed to do anything cause he called him a n***** and spit on him.
I am not judging MP’s based on one PFC. I am pissed that because one thinks that being an MP, makes him superior to everyone. While if I re-classed to an MP right now, go through the 3-6 month AIT, I wouldn’t know shit…, but I would be an MP and be able to tell that same PFC, (probably SPC by then or if he is really, really high speed, maybe SGT) exactly what to do because I would keep my rank even though I have no experience. Rank is rank, as long as we are in the military (not just Army) if I am an E-5 and your and E-3 I expect to be treated as if I was in your chain of command.
You want me to judge? Why have you been to Iraq twice, done all of these other things which you should have awards or other recognition from, and yet your only a SPC? Cut off for MP’s has been as low as mid-400’s several times in the past 6 months (Yeah I looked it up). Forgive me if I call bullshit on your experience, or assume it is true and you are ate the fuck up.
Saturday, 23. September 2006
Ok hot shot. I wasn’t attacking you but you had to lose your tact and say that I’m “ate the fuck up.” If you are an NCO the you would know that MP points are over 700 and not 400. If you are truly an NCO you wouldn’t be trying to make yourself more superior but try to assist. “No one is more professional than I,” and you my friend are not a professional. I was deployed as a PFC in Victory base in 2003 to Baghdad and had a NCO who hated me because I am a very direct person and made me wait my full time till I could get my SPC. I was supposed to go to the board in 2005 but I told my NCO that I wasn’t ready to become a SGT because there were still things I need to learn so I withdrew from the board. I didn’t want to be just a NCO I wanted to be a leader and know what I was talking about. I’ve had NCO’s that didn’t know what they were talking about and if they told me to do something and I didn’t feel like they knew what they were talking about, I would question them. As a NCO I don’t want to have soldiers question me, I want them to have confidence in me and know that I know what I’m doing. I don’t have anything to prove to you, because I know what and where I have been/done. I’m not looking for you to approve of me. Honestly, I think you are ate the fuck up. I’ve done the whole 12 hour shift in full battle rattle, daps, ACH, sappy plates, standing in front of an IP station for hours in the Iraqi summer and for you to say that I’m ate up because I’m not a SGT yet, but you are a high speed individual. Well for the record, I did have respect for you till you started the personal attack and now I don’t respect you. If you are truly an NCO you would have stayed a professional but you didn’t. So if you were my NCO, I wouldn’t listen to you. My NCO’s know that I would die for them because I truly believe that they know what they are talking about. If you want respect, you have to give it.
Saturday, 23. September 2006
SPC Stark, you think you got a lot on your plate now. Wait until you get those stripes. Being a 31B, 11B, 13C or anything in the US Army is a thankless job. Just because you were deployed or worked 12 hour, 18 hour or 24 hour shifts doesn’t mean jack. It’s how you conduct yourself as a professional that defines you as a Soldier, MP, or Infantryman. Respect is a two way street and it starts with a ‘Yes Sergeant’ or a snap to parade rest not just doing a job that no one wants. Those drunks, domestics, child abuses, and stray dogs belong to our (NCOs) soldiers. After you finish your report and sign your ticket, I have to counsel, discipline, supervise during 45 and 45, and mentor those soldiers.
Saturday, 23. September 2006
Thank you SGT King, well said.
Thursday, 28. September 2006
Now I think it is a power trip thing (the MP thing not you).
Everything that you have said SGT King. I agree some. Now I say some MP’s are well (I’ll be nice) are jerks. Most of them are kids who got picked on in high school and now have authority in their own hands. LOL!! I’m an MP (and no I wasn’t picked on in high school ), a SGT and I have not been deployed to IRAQ, been to GTMO and have been at my duty station for three years. Seems like I should be labled as a POS too. I’ve been pulled off the road not because I am bad MP but my CSM wanted me to be the S1 NCOIC. Just like every female in the army, I’ve been shafted. But just because I havn’t been to the desert, doesn’t mean I should be looked down upon. Why because I do get the respect I deseverve I take care of Soldiers, NCOs and Officers everyday. Now about that lil PFC you came in countered with. Did you know that an on duty MP has the authority of a commanding general. Well they do. I am not supporting this PFC of what he did, but I think his NCO’s set him up for failure and told him that lil secret. And well that desk Sergeant he was a jerk he should have had that PFC appologize or counseled him about respect. I agree even though he was an MP he still should have shown you the respect that you have earned. Here I don’t think the gate guards would have ever thought to pull over an on duty MP to get inspected? but again we have civilians and before the civilians it was MP working the gate and we kinda all work together. I think you did exactly what you could have done. But no matter what you will always get sugar (thats my cus word the s word) from the selcted few: Military spouses, off duty MP’s, officers, CSM, and well you know where I am getting. Please don’t take this one MP’s impression and judge the rest of us. Because one day I might be helping you.
Thursday, 28. September 2006
look here quit your bitchin about mps. what u probably dont know is the pfc while on duty wears the same “rank” as the post commander he carrys the same authority also it no mp has to stand at parade rest for a csm or at attention for an officer you do your job and let him do his even if its paper work
Friday, 29. September 2006
Ok, so what you are saying is I’m supposed to respect an MP, any MP just because he/she is an MP. This discussion is getting silly. John, I’m going to take a wild guess and say you are E-4 or below. Am I wrong? My neighbor is an MP, he’s a great guy. We BBQ, have a couple cold ones and hang out. My whole point here is that neither your rank nor your MOS entitles anyone to be disrespectful. Even civilians know how to respect one another. The Army is gettin a bad rap for it’s junior enlisted for being undisciplined, disrespectful individuals. I’m jusy saying, a little respect and common courtesy goes a long way.
Saturday, 7. October 2006
MP or not, you come into my AO your under my authority. It would cost me an extra $40 to buy the patches, pistel belt, holster, and sticker for my car…, its too easy to say I’m an MP and get away with everything. If your an MP, your still a human being and I am validating that you are in fact an MP despite what it says on your shoulder.
Tuesday, 17. October 2006
Have to agree with SGT King and Audium on this issue. I started my career in the Army as a Combat Engineer (they don’t get along with MPs at all and never have). I was pulled over by two MPs at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. One was a brand new private and one was a SPC that I knew on a ride along. The private tried to tell me he pulled me over because he couldn’t see my license plate clearly. I argued with him, yeah it was dusty, but still very clearly read. Upon arguing with him he tried to lock me up at parade rest. A soldier three grades under me none the less. Thankfully the SPC I knew recognized me as his favorite bar tender at the club I moonlighted at and stopped the situation from progressing. After sending the private back to the vehicle he explained that there had been nothing going on all day and the newbie just wanted to get some tickets in before he went off shift. As for the MPs here at Fort Polk… I stoped under a light making a left turn because two children were crossing the road and once I started moving again I was pulled over because the light turned red while I was under it. To add aggrivation to this experince the idiot who called in my DL number gave the desk sargent the wrong number and it just happened to be expired. They gave me two tickets. Fortunately I’m a bit smarter than them and can pull up my own driving record to prove it wasn’t expired, as for running the red light, I was able to get video from an AAFES gas station right there that showed I was clearly in the right and my command took care of the whole situation for me. Now that I’m stationed here at Fort Polk, I just assume stay away from the damn place unless I have to be at work.
Wednesday, 25. October 2006
Adium:
If someone told you 100% -I agree - you did what you were told. What SHOCKS me (being former US Army) is that you let a PFC talk to you like that. I would have DROPPED his ass and had him start pushing. Attitude is unacceptable. I’m a contractor now and even though I do not HAVE to listen nor comply with many (not all) Army Regulations - I remain respectful to the uniform (and ranks E1 on up the chain). I’m a civilian. I can disagree. But I have respect for the uniform. You should have SMOKED HIM! I see too many NCOs taking shit and not dishing it out.
Spc Stark:
I’m not saying you are wrong in your arguement on this blog with Adium - but YOU ARE A SPECIALIST - HE IS AN NCO. YOU NEED to be taken out for some WALL TO WALL counciling! We don’t know - and yeah Adium maybe shouldn’t have claimed you were “ate up”. You still NEED to respect him! Did you talk back when you were in BASIC? When I was in BASIC, the Drill Sargeants could talk TOTAL shit to us and say we FUCKED our mothers/sisters/etc - trueth or not (of course not) - we HAD to respect them! Doesn’t the ARMY teach respect for rank anymore? If you can’t handle an NCO talking bullshit to you (without loosing your MILITARY BEARING) - then you do NOT need to be in the ARMY! I believe that if one lacks MILITARY BEARING - they won’t be able to keep themselves under control when their buddy’s brains are blown out in the trenchs - and will turn into a section 8 or a coward. But that my opinion. You owe Adium an apology - wether he is wrong or not. And *IF* you have a problem with me saying that - ask for Adium to give you my email address so we can meet OFF BASE and OUT OF UNIFORM - and I can give you the counciling you deserve.
John:
I’m interested in finding out more about MP rank being “the same as the post commander”. What AR, FM, or Memorandum can I look that up in? Thats interesting info. I do know that CID and Special Agents have the “no rank” with their jobs - so one cannot give them any crap. I did not know about the MP “rank” special situation. Thanks for the help.
Wednesday, 25. October 2006
I’ve been retired now for quite a few years, but it is clear that one thing has not changed. I remember hearing “Of the troops, for the troops” be said about the MPs. So, if the PFC is of the troops, then he should behave like a PFC and show respect towards that NCO. If he was in the execution of his offical duties and the NCO was interfering with that MP in the execution of his duties, the NCO should have been charged. The PFC did not do this, mostly like because he knew he was wrong. MPs need to remember that “of the troops” means they are of the same stature as the troops.
No right minded NCO would interfer with any soldier in the execution of his duties, when I was still I would know good and well that I would have followed the instructions of a PVT E-1 medic in a lifesaving situation since I did not know as much as he would have (official duties), but I would correct him for butting in the chow line at the hospital if he felt he “deserved” special privilages. (No slam at medics, just an example)
One last note two statements you will never hear from the average MP: 1) “I made a mistake, I am sorry” and 2) “I’m sorry you are correct”. Why they never say this is amazing, when a person is wrong and it is obvious do they not realize how stupid they appear by continuing with the falsehood.