THE 1976 TASK GROUP REPORT ON PROVOST MARSHAL AND MILITARY POLICE ACTIVITIES INDICATES DEFICIENCIES IN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MILITARY POLICE. THE MINIMUM AGE LEVEL OF 18 AND A LACK OF MATURITY AMONG THE YOUNG OFFICERS IS CITED AS A POSSIBLE REASON FOR THIS UNACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE. IT IS POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT NO SPECIFIC EVIDENCE EXISTS THAT PERSONS OVER 21 CAN DO A BETTER JOB THAN YOUNGER PERSONNEL. IT IS SIMPLY THE PREVAILING OPINION OF THOSE IN COMMAND POSITIONS. RAISING THE AGE MINIMUM IS VIEWED AS IMPRACTICAL, SINCE 70 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE ENTERING THE MILITARY POLICE CORPS ARE UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE. IN ADDITION, THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT RAISING THE AGE LEVEL BY 3 YEARS WOULD NECESSARILY GUARANTEE A HIGHER LEVEL OF MATURITY AMONG MILITARY POLICE PERSONNEL. IT IS RECOMMENDED, THEREFORE, THAT SCREENING PROCEDURES BE ESTABLISHED WHICH WOULD ELIMINATE THE IMMATURE, REGARDLESS OF AGE. PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING, BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS, AND A PROBATION PERIOD ARE SUGGESTED AS POSSIBLE ELEMENTS OF A SCREENING PROCEDURE.