Bolstering the Fight: Advantages, Challenges, and Other Considerations for the Employment of Military Police in Support of Expeditionary Operations
Abstract
The use of Military Police (MP) during expeditionary operations can be traced back to World War II. Though they were typically employed in a relatively limited scope during that conflict, the impact they provided was irrefutable. As the character of warfare has evolved over the decades, so has the utility of Law Enforcement (LE) personnel on the battlefield. Unfortunately, opportunities to maximize the abilities of MPs have not been fully exploited. The skill sets possessed by MPs could be employed during multiple phases of a respective operation. During Phase 0, they can be used to support the conduct of security cooperation activities. Their security and investigatory skills can maintain lines of communication and provide vital intelligence to support the main effort, during Phase III. The use of LE tactics, techniques, and procedures during Phase IV are essential to establish stability and facilitate a transition to the civil authority. Despite the benefits, there are several challenges associated with the employment of MPs. Policy restrictions limit the ability to employ MPs in support of certain training and security cooperation activities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 02, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1176004
Entities
People
- David S. Rainey
Organizations
- Marine Corps University