Civilian federal law enforcement careersMeet the team on film
Marine Corps Police officers together outside the station

Marine Corps Police · Civilian careers

THIS IS
YOUR NEXT
CHAPTER.

Protect Marines, their families, and the places they call home. Build a civilian federal law enforcement career that matters.

ONE TEAM.ONE MISSION.
CIVILIAN SERVICE
FEDERAL CAREER
NATIONWIDE OPPORTUNITY

Protect those who protect America

THE PEOPLE.
THE IMPACT.

Marine Corps Police officers together outside their station

You don’t have to wear a military uniform to serve the Marine Corps.

As a Marine Corps Police Officer, you’ll protect Marines, their families, and their communities while building a federal career filled with service, pride, and balance.

  • Paid training at the Marine Corps Police Academy, a DOW POST and FLETA-accredited academy at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
  • Competitive federal pay and benefits, including retirement, health, and life insurance
  • Opportunities for overtime, incentives, and career advancement
  • Serve a vital role protecting Marines and their families across installations nationwide
  • Gain valuable law enforcement experience and professional development in a respected federal program
Explore your civilian career
Special Reaction Team

Special Reaction Team

Handle high-risk responses and tactical operations.

Working dog handler

Working dog handler

Partner with K9s for patrol and detection missions.

Traffic & collision investigation

Traffic & collision investigation

Keep installation roadways safe and conduct investigations.

Officer stories

See service
through their eyes.

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Career foundations

Built for your future.

Federal benefits

General Schedule pay, health and life insurance, paid leave, FERS retirement, and the Thrift Savings Plan.

Explore Federal benefits

Prepare to serve

Training, standards,
and the path ahead.

Marine Corps Police academy classroom training

Training & Academy

  • The Marine Corps Police Academy, accredited by FLETA and located at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, is where your journey begins.
  • You’ll receive top-tier instruction through the Basic Police Officer Course, plus advanced and follow-on courses designed to help you grow throughout your career.
  • With new facilities, updated classrooms, and modern training environments, the Academy provides the skills, confidence, and leadership development needed to serve with professionalism and pride.
  • From day one, you’re part of a team that builds discipline, leadership, and lifelong professional skills.

Pay & Benefits

As a Marine Corps Police Officer, you’ll be a federal employee under the General Schedule (GS) pay system, with pay and advancement based on performance.

You’ll receive:

  • Competitive GS pay
  • Low-cost health, dental, and life insurance
  • Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave
  • Retirement benefits through the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
  • Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) — the federal 401(k)
  • Uniform allowance and paid training
  • Federal safeguards ensuring fair, merit-based advancement

Who We’re Looking For

We’re hiring driven, dependable, and disciplined individuals who want to make a difference. You
don’t need prior police experience; we’ll train you to succeed.

You may be a great fit if you:

  • Are a U.S. citizen, 18 or older
  • Have integrity, discipline, and teamwork
  • Can pass background, medical, and fitness screenings
  • Want to make a real impact by protecting others

Conditions for Employment

To join the Marine Corps Civilian Police, applicants must meet several key requirements.

These include:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Must pass all background checks (Police Applicant Suitability Review, National Agency Check, and eligibility for a Secret clearance)
  • Must pass all pre-employment screenings (drug test, physical exam, Body Mass Index compliance)
  • Must pass required Physical Agility Test (Marine Corps PFT/CFT, including ongoing re-tests)
  • Must be able to carry firearms and qualify on all weapons requirements
  • Must attend and graduate from the Marine Corps Police Academy (or receive a waiver)

Your questions, answered

GOOD QUESTIONS.
STRAIGHT ANSWERS.

Am I joining the Marine Corps?

No—you’re joining as a civilian federal employee.

Marine Corps Police Officers serve Marine Corps installations. You’ll work alongside Marines, not as one.

Do I need prior police experience?

Prior police experience is not required.

You’ll receive paid training through the Marine Corps Police Academy.

Will I have to deploy or relocate?

No deployment or relocation is required.

You may request a transfer if you choose.

What about tattoos?

Tattoos are allowed within the Marine Corps tattoo policy.

You’ll need to meet the applicable grooming and appearance standards.

What’s the schedule like?

The schedule is based on a 40-hour workweek.

  • 72 hours of actual work per pay period
  • One 8-hour training day per pay period (two per month)

Schedules may vary slightly by installation.

Apply by region

Choose where
your career begins.

East Coast

East Coast

Virginia: Quantico
Florida: Jacksonville
Georgia: Albany
Louisiana: New Orleans
North Carolina: Jacksonville and Havelock
South Carolina: Beaufort

Apply — East Coast

In the field

THIS IS
YOUR TEAM.

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