The Navy's Master-At-Arms: Afghanistan's Unsung Heroes

Masters-at-Arms (MA) are responsible for law enforcement and force protection in the United States Navy. They are the equivalent of the Military Police in the Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force. Masters-at-Arms are one of the oldest ratings in the Navy, with Naval records showing that these sheriffs of the sea were keeping order as early as the reign of Charles I of England. Their duties include criminal investigations, customs operations, corrections operations, detainee operations, and protective service operations. They also perform Antiterrorism (AT), Physical Security (PS), and Law Enforcement (LE) duties. Masters-at-Arms may be deployed to a variety of locations, including naval warships, naval installations in the United States or overseas, and forward-deployed locations such as Iraq, Afghanistan, or Africa. While it is not certain whether Masters-at-Arms were deployed to Afghanistan, their role in law enforcement and force protection, as well as their presence in forward-deployed locations, suggests that it is possible they were involved in operations in Afghanistan.

Masters-at-Arms perform criminal investigations, with some exceptions

Masters-at-Arms are responsible for law enforcement and force protection in the United States Navy. They are the Navy's military police force and are responsible for enforcing the Navy's regulations. They are also in charge of discipline aboard ships.

Masters-at-Arms are trained in criminal investigations and interview and interrogation techniques. They are also qualified to use a range of weapons, including the M9 pistol, M4/M16 rifle, M500 shotgun, and various non-lethal weapons.

Masters-at-Arms may be deployed in a variety of settings, including on board aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, and aviation squadrons, as well as on naval installations in the United States or overseas locations such as Bahrain and Diego Garcia. They may also be forward deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, or Africa on a Global War on Terrorism assignment.

The Master-at-Arms rating is one of the oldest in the United States Navy, having been recognized since the Navy's inception. The rating was disestablished in 1921 and re-established in 1973.

Masters-at-Arms are trained in the use of various weapons, including the M9 pistol, M4/M16 rifle, and M500 shotgun

Masters-at-Arms are the Navy's military police force. They are responsible for law enforcement, investigations, K-9, expeditionary, and anti-terrorism/force protection operations. Masters-at-Arms are trained in the use of various weapons, including the M9 pistol, M4/M16 rifle, and M500 shotgun.

The Master-at-Arms rating is one of the oldest in the United States Navy, recognised since its inception. Masters-at-Arms are responsible for enforcing the Navy's regulations and providing security specialists who perform force protection, anti-terrorism, physical security, and law enforcement duties on land and at sea. They conduct customs operations, corrections operations, detainee operations, and protective service operations.

Masters-at-Arms receive formal and specialised training at the Master-at-Arms "A" School, located at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Over the course of about nine weeks, they learn antiterrorism techniques, armed sentry/post standing techniques, crime prevention, military and civil law, communications, first aid, and firearms deployment. They also receive training in interview and interrogation techniques, report writing, use of force and rules of engagement doctrine, and military law.

Upon completion of "A" School, Masters-at-Arms may go on to complete C" Schools, which provide specialised training for specific duties and assignments. Throughout their careers, Masters-at-Arms may be required to qualify with various small arms and large-calibre weapons, as well as non-lethal weapons.

Masters-at-Arms perform duties such as waterborne and land security, aircraft and flight line security, and strategic weapons and cargo security

Masters-at-Arms are responsible for law enforcement and force protection in the United States Navy. They are the Navy's military police force, tasked with enforcing the Navy's regulations and providing security specialists who perform force protection, anti-terrorism, physical security, and law enforcement duties on land and at sea.

Waterborne and Land Security

Masters-at-Arms provide waterborne security patrols, protecting oil platforms, and managing base access. They also conduct base security patrols and law enforcement operations, providing protection for high-ranking dignitaries and government officials.

Aircraft and Flight Line Security

Masters-at-Arms are responsible for aircraft and flight line security, including the protection of shipboard weapons in the armory. They also train and handle canines that detect narcotics and explosives.

Strategic Weapons and Cargo Security

Masters-at-Arms provide security for strategic weapons and cargo, including nuclear weapons facilities. They conduct physical security checks of nuclear weapons facilities, patrol secure areas, and respond to alarms and other emergency situations.

Masters-at-Arms are the primary law enforcement organisation on a naval installation

Masters-at-Arms are responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Waterborne and land security
• Aircraft and flight line security
• Strategic weapons and cargo security
• Maritime security and platform protection
• Customs operations
• Corrections operations
• Detainee operations
• Protective service operations
• Criminal investigations
• Training and advising Sailors in security and shore patrol duties
• Crowd control and riot prevention
• Operating military prisons (brigs)
• Handling and training dogs that detect narcotics and explosives
• Waterborne security patrols
• Protecting oil platforms
• Managing base access
• Conducting base security patrols
• Conducting investigations and crime prevention programs
• Operating patrol vehicles or Harbor Security Boats (HSB)
• Standing watch at gates, piers, or flight lines
• Conducting traffic enforcement
• Conducting interviews and interrogations
• Collecting evidence and securing crime scenes
• Administrative duties such as personnel management, training, inspections, and record-keeping

Masters-at-Arms are highly trained and qualified individuals who undergo rigorous "A" School training in San Antonio, Texas, where they learn anti-terrorism techniques, crime prevention, civil law, communications, and firearms deployment, among other essential skills. They are dedicated, resourceful, and versatile, with strong physical strength and excellent command of the English language.

The Master-at-Arms rating is one of the oldest in the United States Navy, dating back to the inception of the Navy and even earlier, with records showing their presence as early as the reign of Charles I of England. They are the "sheriffs of the sea," ensuring order, discipline, and the proper functioning of weapons and equipment. Today, Masters-at-Arms continue to play a vital role in the Navy, providing security and protection to naval installations worldwide.

Masters-at-Arms are responsible for law enforcement and force protection in the United States Navy

• Providing security and physical protection for service members
• Training fellow Sailors in security and shore patrol duties
• Serving as security advisors for their squadron
• Assisting in crowd control and riot prevention
• Operating military prisons (brigs) aboard ships and on shore
• Handling and training dogs that detect narcotics and explosives
• Conducting waterborne security patrol and interdiction operations
• Providing protective services to high-ranking dignitaries and government officials
• Conducting preliminary investigations into Uniform Code of Military Justice violations
• Conducting crime prevention programs

Masters-at-Arms are also responsible for anti-terrorism/force protection (AT/FP) operations and investigations. They enforce the provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and work to prevent and respond to terrorist threats.

The Master-at-Arms rating is one of the oldest in the United States Navy, with a history dating back to the 1700s. Today, Masters-at-Arms are well-trained and equipped to handle a range of law enforcement and security situations, providing protection and support to the Navy community.

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