MA Rating Info

F/S-MARodriguez · 08-09-2012, 08:23 PM

I've got a few questions about MA's if ya'll got the time to answer them.

1- What exactly does an MA do? I've read the list of responsibilities on about.com about 200 times and still don't get it.

2- On ships, do we just stand around guarding areas and standing watch? Or, do we respond to disturbances such as contraband reports, fights, etc. etc.

3- At CONUS and OCONUS bases that are generally not in a war zone or near one (Spain, Italy, Greece) do we assume the duties of a civilian police officer or do we stand around a gate?

4- In the event we are deployed to a war zone or near one (Afghanistan, Bahrain) what would our job there entail?

6- Is the MA rate everything you thought it would be? For example, I've got the mentality that at times, it will be menial work guarding posts and areas watching paint dry and grass grows. I also understand that as I advance, I will get more responsibility such as law-enforcement and things of the sort.

7- If you could go back to the minute you chose your rate, all things equal, would you have chosen a different rate? If so, would it be because you hate the MA rate, or because you find the other rate much cooler/better?

Thank you all for taking the time to answer my questions. If these have been asked and answered before, I apologize (I used the search function, I promise!). I believe future MA's after myself could also use this information.

glennsmom · 08-10-2012, 09:08 AM

My son is a MA2 in the reserves now but when active he did patrols of the base he was assigned at. In reserves if deployed to a war zone they usually do detainee ops (jailors), or can provide personal security to visiting dignitaries. To the best of my knowledge very few MAs serve on ships.

Logicalchaos02 · 08-10-2012, 08:18 PM

1. MA's do a lot depending on the base you go to. The base I was stationed at I was military police and I stood guard duty. You will be a police officer, sentry at a gate, detainee ops (guard prisoners). You will do all the things a police officer will do depending on the base you are at.
2.I was never stationed on a ship but MA's do not go on ships to often. But from what I am told, you dont do very much.
3. CONUS bases you mostly do police work, OCONUS bases you will do both.
4. 99.9% you will no be deployed to a war zone, you have to choose to go as a Master at Arms. But you will do whatever they tell you to.
5. The job really wasnt what I thought it would be. I thought I would be doing all law enforcement but that wasnt case. I still loved the job but there is a lot more to being a MA then just law enforcement.
6. With all things considered I still would have been a MA. I loved the job and I loved the people I worked with. I think the only reason I would have picked differently knowing what I know now is that MA's get sent to bases that familys cannot go to more often than other rates. So if I would have known that, I still would have been a MA

.

08-09-2012, 08:23 PM	#1
F/S-MARodriguez Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 124 Rep Power: 0	Tons of Master At Arms questions I've got a few questions about MA's if ya'll got the time to answer them. 1- What exactly does an MA do? I've read the list of responsibilities on about.com about 200 times and still don't get it. 2- On ships, do we just stand around guarding areas and standing watch? Or, do we respond to disturbances such as contraband reports, fights, etc. etc. 3- At CONUS and OCONUS bases that are generally not in a war zone or near one (Spain, Italy, Greece) do we assume the duties of a civilian police officer or do we stand around a gate? 4- In the event we are deployed to a war zone or near one (Afghanistan, Bahrain) what would our job there entail? 6- Is the MA rate everything you thought it would be? For example, I've got the mentality that at times, it will be menial work guarding posts and areas watching paint dry and grass grows. I also understand that as I advance, I will get more responsibility such as law-enforcement and things of the sort. 7- If you could go back to the minute you chose your rate, all things equal, would you have chosen a different rate? If so, would it be because you hate the MA rate, or because you find the other rate much cooler/better? Thank you all for taking the time to answer my questions. If these have been asked and answered before, I apologize (I used the search function, I promise!). I believe future MA's after myself could also use this information.

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08-10-2012, 09:08 AM	#2
glennsmom Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sunland, CA Posts: 124 Rep Power: 0	My son is a MA2 in the reserves now but when active he did patrols of the base he was assigned at. In reserves if deployed to a war zone they usually do detainee ops (jailors), or can provide personal security to visiting dignitaries. To the best of my knowledge very few MAs serve on ships.

08-10-2012, 08:18 PM	#3
Logicalchaos02 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Redlands, CA Posts: 704 Rep Power: 0	1. MA's do a lot depending on the base you go to. The base I was stationed at I was military police and I stood guard duty. You will be a police officer, sentry at a gate, detainee ops (guard prisoners). You will do all the things a police officer will do depending on the base you are at. 2.I was never stationed on a ship but MA's do not go on ships to often. But from what I am told, you dont do very much. 3. CONUS bases you mostly do police work, OCONUS bases you will do both. 4. 99.9% you will no be deployed to a war zone, you have to choose to go as a Master at Arms. But you will do whatever they tell you to. 5. The job really wasnt what I thought it would be. I thought I would be doing all law enforcement but that wasnt case. I still loved the job but there is a lot more to being a MA then just law enforcement. 6. With all things considered I still would have been a MA. I loved the job and I loved the people I worked with. I think the only reason I would have picked differently knowing what I know now is that MA's get sent to bases that familys cannot go to more often than other rates. So if I would have known that, I still would have been a MA .