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Face of Defense: On The Beat

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Army Spc. Roberto Rojas is part of the military police. He talks about his day and what being an MP means to him.

Specialist Rojas in his car
Military Police
Army Spc. Roberto Rojas in his car. Rojas is a military police officer stationed on Fort Meade, Md.
Photo By: DOD courtesy photo
VIRIN: 181210-D-FY142-004Z

Army Specialist Roberto Rojas
Job Title: Military Police
Hometown: Old Bridge, New Jersey
Stationed: Fort Meade, Maryland
Unit: 241st Military Police Detachment, Military District of Washington

What made you want to become an MP?

I wanted to become an MP because at the time I didn’t know what I wanted to study in college, so I figured the Army would be something to do so I could figure out what it is I wanted to do, and MP seemed more beneficial than infantry or artillery to translate into the civilian sector if I decided to get out after my first enlistment.

Specialist Rojas in his car
Military Police
Army Spc. Roberto Rojas in his car. Rojas is a military police officer stationed on Fort Meade, Md.
Photo By: DOD courtesy photo
VIRIN: 181210-D-FY142-003Z

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of my job, is honestly working the road. Getting that little adrenaline pump driving through base with lights and sirens and watching you split the roads the way Moses split the Red Sea. Since every day is different and no day is ever the same, you never really know what to expect. Some days feel similar, but no call is ever the same.

Specialist Rojas and his police car in the side mirror of a vehicle
Military Police
Army Spc. Roberto Rojas poses for a photo outside his police car. Rojas is a military police officer stationed on Fort Meade, Md.
Photo By: Army Staff Sgt. Edwin Pierce
VIRIN: 181206-D-BY943-002

What is the most interesting call you have ever went on?

The most interesting call I went on was about a couple reporting someone possibly breaking into their residence, and leaving a half-eaten egg sandwich in the fridge … none of them eat egg sandwiches. They confirmed with housing nobody came and did work. My personal opinion is that there is someone else in the picture and someone in that couple wasn’t being fully honest.

Specialist Rojas in his car
Military Police
Army Spc. Roberto Rojas in his car. Rojas is a military police officer stationed on Fort Meade, Md.
Photo By: DOD courtesy photo
VIRIN: 181210-D-FY142-002Z

What is something unique about being an MP that most people would never know?

Something unique about being an MP is that you can work with CID and/or work undercover in another unit or Special Reaction Team. If you excel as an MP and want to become a federal law enforcement agent, you can through CID. And you can even attend the FBI Academy. Also, we can go anywhere there are troops. We are the most versatile and flexible MOS, in my opinion, and we fail to acknowledge that.

Specialist Rojas stands by his police car.
Military Police
Army Spc. Roberto Rojas responds to a call. Rojas is a military police officer stationed on Fort Meade, Md.
Photo By: Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Ashley Guire
VIRIN: 181206-D-FY142-003Z

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

The most rewarding aspect of my job is that as an MP we can do just about anything and we can do it just about anywhere. We see people often at their worst when they call us. And in a week or month or even year, when you recognize their face and see them doing well, it’s sort of nice knowing they were able to move on from whatever life struggle they had going on. And sometimes they don’t, and it’s sad, but also a reality check that you never know what someone’s going through. I lost my best friend this year, Spc. Ryan Kettell (Air Assault), and as much as I thought I knew what he was dealing with, I really didn’t. That goes for any service member or civilian or family member. This job is a wild ride but you can take away so many life experiences from it and share it with others so that we don’t repeat ourselves in history.

Specialist Rojas in his car
Military Police
Army Spc. Roberto Rojas poses for a photo in his car. Rojas is a military police officer stationed on Fort Meade, Md.
Photo By: Army Staff Sgt. Edwin Pierce
VIRIN: 181206-D-BY943-001

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