Our mission is to serve, protect, and defend. We are the police of the military.

Military Police make extensive use of the M998 or "Humvee" (High Mobility, Multi-Purpose, Wheeled Vehicle). "Hummers", as they are also known, can be set-up in over a dozen variations including two and four litter ambulances, "pick up" trucks, communication "rat rigs", and TOW missile launchers. MP's typically arm their Humvees with MK19 grenade launchers, M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) machine guns.

Hummers have a maximum speed of 65 mph, weigh in at over 5,000 lbs and are full time four wheel drive. They are powered by a 6.2 diesel engine and the body panels and glass can be interchanged with "bullet-proof" replacements. The Humvee makes the "Jeep" of old completely obsolete.

The MP unit also relies on a small fleet of 2 1/2 and 5 ton trucks. Known as M35s and M925s respectively, these go anywhere, haul anything, heavy trucks carry the necessary supplies and miscellaneous materials the MP's require to maintain their effectiveness. The "Deuce-n-Half" is powered by a Caterpillar 8.0 liter diesel engine, while the 5-Ton utilizes a Cummins 8.3 liter turbo after-cooled engine. The new 900 series trucks (and the M35A3) have user-friendly automatic transmissions.

The M4 Carbine is a converted M-16 semi-automatic rifle and the most common weapon in the MP inventory. The M4 features a collapseable stock and is readily adaptable to accomodate scopes, night vision aparatuses and add-ons such as grenade launchers (left, M203) or even shotguns. Firing the standard NATO 5.56mm round, the M4 is the preferred weapon on the close combat battlefield. Maximum effective range is 580 meters. The 203 grenade launcher has a max. effective range of 350 meters (area).

The M9 Baretta semi-automatic 9mm pistol is found throughout the military and is standard issue to the MP corps. Lightweight, durable and accurate the Baretta makes an excellent close quarters weapon and can hold up to 13 rounds. It replaces the old .45 caliber M1911 that has been used since the early 1900's. Maximum effective range is 50 meters.

The M249 Squad Automatic Weapon is a light machine gun that fires a belt of 5.56 mm standard NATO rounds. This versatile weapon can be used by an individual or mounted on a Humvee. It has a x rate of fire and a maximum effective rang of xx meters. It replaces the M60 ("Pig") 7.62mm machine gun. Maximum suppressive effective range is 1000 meters.

The 12 gauge Remington Shotgun is a law and order tool carried by Military Police patrols. While not the primary weapon used by an MP, it is a backup in case of situations where more firepower may be necessary. The shotgun can fire slugs as well as buck shot rounds. It is ideal for urban settings and riot control procedures.

The MK19 fires belt-fed 40mm high explosive rounds. This grenade launcher is a crew served weapon that can be mounted on the Humvee or on a tripod. This machine-gun style grenade launcher has a maximum effective range of 2212 meters.

MP Company's also train for civil disturbance operations. This training encompasses riot control formations, baton strikes, and training on the riot control dispenser (tear gas sprayer). MP's make use of either the 36 inch wooden riot baton (right), as well as the standard issue black wooden nightstick.

MP's make extensive use of the Motorala hand-held radios (left) for maintaining constant communication. They are effective up to two miles away and are common in the field as well as garrison. The standard radio has 12 channels. For secure communications over a greater distance on the battlefield, the 220th uses the SINCGARS (Single Channel Ground to Air Radio System). These radios are vehicle mounted and/or carried in a backpack. These are digital, secure radios used by all U.S. Army forces.

MP's must be trained in the use of hand-irons, more commonly known as handcuffs. Individuals under apprehension are handcuffed and then patted down for contraband. This could include EPW's (enemy prisoners of war), civilian detainees, and even disorderly soldiers. MP's employ specific arrest control techniques to include reading of rights, filling out proper arrest forms, fingerprinting and processing of suspects.

MOPP Gear (Mission Oriented Protective Posture) is a soldier's only protection against Nuclear, Biological or Chemical attack. Properly used, these suits make a soldier indestructable against NBC weapon fallout. Units train constantly on using this gear, making our troops an unstoppable, fearless force.

The AN-PVS 7B Night Vision Goggles are another important tool in the Military Police inventory. These goggles enable the wearer to "see" at night time by enhancing the available light and through the use of infrared, heat sensitive technology. Typically, everything has a green hue when viewed through NVG's.

The M18A1 Claymore mine is an important part to defending a unit's perimeter. This anti-personnel explosive fires a lethal barrage of shrapnel over a sizable area once either a trip-wire is set off or once deployed manually.