The Evolving Navy Master-At-Arms

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- The Navy's mission is to maintain, train and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas. The mission of a Navy Master-At-Arms is to ensure the success of that mission by providing force protection for naval assets worldwide.

Established nearly 40 years ago in July 1973, the MA rate was only open to those in pay grades E-6 and above. Individuals in the E-5 pay grade could apply, but only if they were selected for advancement to E-6 or held substantial qualifications related to police work. To inaugurate and augment this newly established rate, the Navy selected 486 of the fleet's top Sailors from a field of 2560 applicants.

Retired Warrant Officer and Vietnam War veteran, Alan Johnson, was among the 486 Sailors chosen to cross over and serve as a Navy MA.

"Back then, we basically went through the Air Force's Law Enforcement course, but much of what we did learn came from on-the-job training," recalls Johnson. "Really, the Navy was not sure [at that time] what it was going to do with MAs and what they were supposed to do."

Because the required Navy training was similar to the Law Enforcement Specialists course taught by the Air Force, the Navy approved training to commence at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Preceding the tragic attack on the USS Cole (DDG 67) in 2000 and the events of September 11, 2001, the role of the Navy MA was centric to law enforcement. However, mission capabilities for a Navy MA today are vastly different.

"In the years following 9/11, the MA rate retained its law enforcement functions, but also become more security/reaction force capable," said Retired Master Chief Master-At-Arms Robert Burgett. Burgett is also the Center for Security Forces Course Curriculum Model Manager for the Navy's MA "A" School.

Today, MA personnel serve in a wide range of mission areas that cross the entire Navy spectrum and demands highly trained and skilled professionals to execute. Whether serving as part of the Coastal Riverine Force, performing Detainee Operations, or teaming with a Military Working Dog, the 21st Century Navy MA is one of the most diverse and in demand rates in the fleet.

In response to the increased demand for MA personnel, the Naval Education and Training Command has graduated more than 15,000 Sailors from its MA "A" school within the last eight years. This is a notable milestone in light of the rating's low manning levels prior to the events of 9/11, which was about 1000 Sailors in all.

"The rate's highest peak in manning occurred in 2007 when over 13,000 MAs were serving fleet wide. Today, that figure stands slightly above 10,000 Sailors," said Burgett.

For those Sailors desiring to serve as a Navy MA, the Naval Technical Training Center at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas is their first stop. There, Sailors attend "A" school, an intense seven-week course of instruction where students receive training in the areas of Anti-Terrorism, Security Force Fundamentals, weapons proficiency, Basic Law Enforcement and much more.

The school has approximately 140 military, civilian, and contract support personnel. It has upwards of some 300 students on deck at any given time spanning throughout the seven weeks of training.

"We provide students with apprenticeship level training that serves as the bedrock for their transition into the Naval Security Forces program," said Naval Technical Training Center Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Lee Alexander.

"Some of the more challenging aspects of the training include direct contamination by Oleoresin Capsicum (OC Spray), unarmed self-defense, small arms qualifications, and tactical team movements. Each block of instruction focuses on safety, proper technique, and practical application of security force capabilities," added Alexander.

All classes culminate in the Crisis Intervention and Tactical Team Movements blocks of instruction. In this phase of training, students are required to critically think in high stress situations and respond to a conflict or crisis by bringing the situation under control, setting a perimeter, and resolving the scenario.

Alexander went on to explain that at graduation, students are given their badge and reminded that its size is big enough to be seen by those needing assistance and by those who must yield to its authority. It is also small enough that no one can hide behind because a Navy MA is one who enforces the rules and regulations of the Navy and is therefore, held to a higher standard.

Navy MAs can also earn civilian certifications and licenses that correspond to their military work experience, training, and career goals. These credentialing opportunities are available through the Navy's Credentialing Opportunities Online (COOL) program.

From October 2007 to May 2012, the Navy funded 18,619 certifications for MA personnel at a cost of more than $6.2M. This is the cumulative dollar amount of what these Sailors would have paid out-of-pocket to attain these certifications in the civilian sector.

"The MA community is currently the leading user of Navy COOL as a voluntary professional and career development tool," said Retired Master Chief Master-At-Arms and current Center for Security Forces Master-At-Arms Programs Manager, Jose Bautista. "The highest levels of participation occur between the E-4 and E-6 pay grades and the overall passing rate for E-1 through E-9 is near perfect at 99.4 percent."

Another professional and career development tool available for MAs is participation in the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) that provides opportunity to improve their job skills and to complete their civilian apprenticeship requirements while they are on active duty.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) provides the nationally recognized "Certificate of Completion" upon program completion. Those available apprenticeships include Police Officer l, Corrections Specialist, Security Specialist, Master Homeland Security Specialist, Protective Service Specialist, Armory Technician, and on the horizon for 2013 is the Criminal Investigator Apprenticeship.

"These apprenticeships are extraordinary opportunities for MA personnel to not only broaden their military career, but also having a DOL Certificate of Completion is a definite advantage in getting better civilian jobs since employers know the value of apprenticeships," said Bautista.

What was once a rate seemingly destined to slip quietly into the archives of naval history prior to 9/11 is now a vital element in the successful execution of the U.S. Navy Maritime Strategy. These men and women are the security professionals of the fleet - the Navy Master-At-Arms.

For more news and information from Center for Security Forces, visit www.navy.mil/local/csf, www.facebook.com/CENSECFORHQ, www.netc.navy.mil/centers/csf.>