Security & Law Enforcement (Master-at-Arms)

About the Role

Master-at-Arms (MA) Sailors serve as the Navy's core security, antiterrorism, and law enforcement capability. They protect people, installations, ships, and strategic assets both at home and abroad. This role involves conducting force protection, physical security, and policing across diverse environments, including bases, aboard ships, at sea, and in expeditionary settings. MAs may also specialize in areas such as military working dogs, harbor security, corrections, investigations, or protective services.

What to Expect

You will work in a fast-paced, armed, and safety-critical environment where attention to detail, judgment, and professionalism are essential. The role requires frequent duty in rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to provide 24/7 security coverage. You will face stressful situations involving emergencies, accidents, or criminal activity, requiring calm decision-making and strong communication skills. The position involves ongoing qualification and requalification in weapons, use of force, tactical skills, and physical fitness. Over time, you will take on increasing responsibility, qualifying for specialized billets such as patrol supervisor, watch commander, kennel master, or investigator.

Work Environment

Assignments take place at Navy installations in the U.S. and overseas, aboard aircraft carriers and other ships, and with expeditionary security units and strategic weapons facilities. You will work primarily on bases, piers, flight lines, harbor security boats, and in patrol vehicles, kennels, armories, and security operations centers. The role offers opportunities for overseas, forward-deployed, and dependent-restricted tours that count as sea duty for rotation. You will work in close integration with other security forces, Marine units, NCIS, and joint or host-nation partners depending on your specific billet.

Pathways, Training & Advancement

After Recruit Training, you will attend Master-at-Arms Class "A" School at Lackland AFB to learn basic law enforcement, weapons handling, antiterrorism, patrol procedures, and security operations. You will progress through on-the-job qualification via Personnel Qualification Standards, watchstations, and unit training. Opportunities exist for advanced schools awarding Navy Enlisted Classifications such as Military Working Dog Handler, Harbor Security Coxswain, Corrections Specialist, and Criminal Investigator. Career-long development includes leadership courses, warfare qualifications (such as ESWS, EAWS, EXW, FMF, or NWS when assigned to qualifying commands), and senior enlisted leader programs.

Application & Eligibility

To join this community, you must meet general enlistment standards, including U.S. citizenship or eligible residency, a high school diploma, and specific age, medical, vision, and dental requirements. You must demonstrate strong moral character, a clean legal history suitable for armed law enforcement duties, and the ability to qualify with small arms. You must be willing to work rotating shifts, deploy, and accept assignment to sea duty, overseas locations, and dependent-restricted tours when required. Eligibility for a security clearance is mandatory for most billets. For specific details on incentives, bonuses, or current policy updates, applicants must confirm eligibility with an official Navy recruiter.

Equal Opportunity

The U.S. Navy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.