Royal Military Police Close Protection as a reserve?

[sabrepilot]

Hello there,
I am currently applying for the army reserve. I have always had an interest in joining the RMP. I am aware that a lot of experience is needed before attempting the close protection selection. My question is, can you only do close protection as a regular soldier or is it possible as a reserve also? My nearest RMP unit is Livingston, Scotland.

Thanks in advance for any responses

 

[Chef]

I'd suggest you ring them up and ask.

 

[Effendi]

RMP Reserves

Royal Military Police Reserves

www.army.mod.uk

Chap I used to shoot with was RMP reserves, he used to say that he was mainly deployed on traffic/convoy control, and POW handling duties. He was happy with that.

When I was a Special Constable I was approached to join a newly forming RAF Police unit. The chat I had with their badgeman indicated that they needed uniformed bodies with some authority (RAF Police) to sit on flights to and from Afghanistan escorting sensitive documents and other items. They basically needed extra bodies to do the mundane tasks that diverted usefully employed RAF plod.

You are never going to be a Ninja as a reservist unless you join Special Forces Reserve in one capacity, or another.

 

[Tappet]

Hello there,
I am currently applying for the army reserve. I have always had an interest in joining the RMP. I am aware that a lot of experience is needed before attempting the close protection selection. My question is, can you only do close protection as a regular soldier or is it possible as a reserve also? My nearest RMP unit is Livingston, Scotland.

Thanks in advance for any responses

There have been RMP Reservists do the Close Protection course, but I don't know what the current position is on this. @Ninja_Turtle might be able to advise?

 

[Vladimir_Ilyich_Crab]

I've known a few RAF chaps who've either done the course or have been at Longmoor on the CPU. Some things that might help or be of interest:

1. I've never known reservists do it - but as posted above it would appear they have.

2. I don't think 'a lot of experience' per se is needed - the CP role is so niche that nothing taught at Southwick or done in the course of routine RMP duties really feeds into it.

3. Certainly in the last 20 years I have known of RMPs who were not volunteers, got sent on the course to fill up numbers. This may not be the case now and I believe the CPU (instructors) slots are all volunteers. (Of relevance to 'is experience needed').

4. The things I have been told is most important for the course, is maximum fitness preparation, followed by as much time on the range with pistol as possible. The latter was a top tip for RAF where it might not have been so easy to get pistol range time.

5. Completion of the course is (or was) more often than not, linked to a specific CP Det/Tour. So, if a reservist, it may not be the case of x-weeks at Longmoor then back to civ div, you may have to get your employer to factor in a x-month long tour with a x-length pre deployment trg package as well. in the same 12-18 months of you completing the course.

 

[Effendi]

There have been RMP Reservists do the Close Protection course, but I don't know what the current position is on this. @Ninja_Turtle might be able to advise?

Another source is @wetsmonkey

 

[BoundApprentice]

5. Completion of the course is (or was) more often than not, linked to a specific CP Det/Tour. So, if a reservist, it may not be the case of x-weeks at Longmoor then back to civ div, you may have to get your employer to factor in a x-month long tour with a x-length pre deployment trg package as well. in the same 12-18 months of you completing the course.

this is what happened with me although I ain’t a monkey I went as a driver and there is a separate drivers course
i volunteered for a CP tour was mobilised did chilwell, did the drivers course, did optag, did a 3 week range and field firing package (loads of pistol and anti ambush drills) had a week off then picked me shooters up and went to iraqistan for 7 and half months
best job I have ever had

 

[wetsmonkey]

Another source is @wetsmonkey

I am 15 years out of date. I never heard of RMP reservists doing the course in my time, however that could have changed.

 

[The_Duke]

Question answered, thread locked to prevent more irrelevant chatter.