Military police perform assigned military law enforcement duties to uphold the criminal justice system, maintain good order and discipline, and support the commander's law enforcement and security requirements in peacetime and combat operations. Typical duties include foot and motorized patrol, control of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, flightline security, crime prevention/physical security, desk sergeant, communications dispatcher, squad leader, operations sergeant, platoon sergeant, and provost sergeant billets. MOS 5811 is very demanding in that the military police are confronted with every form of violation and criminal liability, misdemeanor through felony.

Leads, manages, supervises, and performs security force (SF) activities, including installation, weapon system, and resource security; antiterrorism; law enforcement and investigations; military working dog function; air base defense; armament and equipment; training; pass and registration; information security; and combat arms.