Wherever you go in the Navy, you see them at the entry control points, in vehicles, patrolling the installation, and on the water protecting our ships and piers – Our Master-At-Arms and civilian Navy law enforcement professionals are on watch 24/7 protecting you.

The U.S. Navy joins the rest of America in saluting our law enforcement professionals on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (L.E.A.D).

Our uniformed master-at-arms and civilian law enforcement professionals stand the watch around the clock every day of the year ensuring our Navy assets, Sailors and their families remain safe to ensure our Navy is ready to protect our nation when needed.

“Military and civilian law enforcement personnel are key to CNIC’s critical force protection mission,” said Tim Alexander, Director of Operations for Navy Installations Command.  “Our Navy exists to protect America from attack, but it’s our Navy law enforcement professionals who help protect our Navy,” he added. 

CNIC employs more than 3,600 civilian federal law enforcement officers, as well as 6,300 active duty security personnel, including master-at-arms (who are the Navy’s security and force protection professionals. Additionally, about 5, 000 Navy security forces are assigned to the fleet.

With a moto of “Serving those who protect, protecting those who serve,” the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) is comprised of about 2,000 personnel, with more than 1,000 serving as federal special agents. NCIS is unique among U.S. military criminal investigative organizations as it is a civilian-ran agency headed by a civilian law enforcement professional who reports directly to the Secretary of the Navy. NCIS operates in approximately 191 locations, in more than 41 countries.

“Force protection (FP) is the overarching mission for security personnel,” said Ron Herb, Force Protection Program Director for CNIC.  “Force protection has several subsets to include Law Enforcement, Physical Security, and anti-terrorism, all supporting the FP mission," Herb noted.

Uniformed master-at-arms and civilian law enforcement professionals perform anti-terrorism, force protection, physical security, and law enforcement duties on land and at sea.  They operate force protection watercraft, direct investigations, control base access and supervise K-9 assets.

Navy law enforcement personnel conduct waterborne security patrols, protect oil platforms, and provide protection for high-ranking dignitaries and government officials. They perform security inspections, conduct K-9 explosive and narcotics detection missions, organize and train security personnel, operate brigs, and conduct crime prevention programs.

Master-at-arms is one of the oldest ratings in the United States Navy, having been recognized since the founding of the Continental Navy more than 243 years ago. Part of the MA creed includes these words: “I wear my shield of authority with dignity and restraint.”

Whatever their creed, motto or mission, the Navy’s law enforcement professionals, along with their civilian counterparts all over the nation, are worthy of appreciation today and every day.

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