Posted on 01/13/2006 5:30:08 PM PST by SandRat
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO (Jan. 13, 2006) -- The Department of Defense authorized the retirement of Jaco, a military working dog for 10 years, and his adoption by former handler Sgt. Jerrod M. Glass, Jan. 8.
Jaco was a member of one of seven military working dog teams stationed here as a first line of defense in the protection of depot personnel and resources through explosive and narcotic detection in support of the depot's anti-terrorism efforts.
In correlation with the recent retirement of the explosives detecting canine, Jaco, and Hertha, a narcotics detecting military working dog, the K-9 section is expecting two new detection military working dogs, a new handler and several scheduled deployments of current military working dog teams.
The rotation in deployment among the depot military working dog handlers is more rapid than that of other, larger bases, sometimes causing depot Marines to deploy with a dog they have been handling for a short period of time.
Handlers and dogs would work together for several months, building a rapport effective in the detection of narcotics or explosives before deployment, according to Glass.
Military working dog handlers are first trained as military policemen. After graduation of their initial schooling, MPs are sent to dog-handling training at Fort Lackland Air Force Base near San Antonio. Upon graduation, K-9 MP's are qualified in the basic care of their working dogs, according to Maj. Ronald G. Capes, depot provost marshal.
After the assignment of a new dog, the handler will work and train the dog until the kennel master certifies the Marine with his dog. The provost marshal will observe the team during a training exercise and must make a final approval of the working dog team to validate the certification, said Capes.
For depot K-9, working with a new dog is not a difficult task to overcome. Lance Cpl. Seth M. Reil said he spends every chance he can with his recently assigned explosives detecting dog to prepare them both for their upcoming deployment.
"Nobody else feeds him. Nobody else bathes him. Nobody else brushes him. Nobody else plays with him. He associates me with my touch. I'm his dad," said Reil.
Depot handlers commonly refer to themselves as the fathers of the respectively assigned working dogs, expressing a close bond between Marine and man's best friend.
"Nobody can make him feel better than I can, but nobody can make him feel worse," said Reil.
With the return of two recently deployed noncommissioned officers, Cpl. Jeffrey Beck and Glass, each of whom trained with their dogs for about three months before deployment, Reil is learning what he can about deployment with a new dog.
"At school we get different dogs so we can learn different dog personalities. Here it's like a well of knowledge. Everybody helps the new guy. I've learned a lot from Cpl. Beck and Sgt. Glass," said Reil.
Depot dog personalities range from the rambunctious, Tino, to Ali, the gentle giant and Bony, the hyper and young narcotics detecting dog. Jaco was described as a humble dog.
"He's twelve years old, but he's got the heart of a two year old. It's a shame he has to be retired," said Beck.
The dogs are received from a DoD training facility in San Antonio and tattooed with an identification number inside their left ear.
They are registered with the DoD, can receive retirement ceremonies, military awards, and the dogs are permitted to stand with their handlers during promotions.
The dogs are adopted out to the best-suited owner when determined unfit to work, provided the animal's temperament makes him a suitable pet.
Although considered one rank below their dog, the handlers are entrusted with the nutrition and health of their dogs on base and during deployments. Each morning, the team goes through health check points ensuring the gums, eyes, nose, hips and paws of the dog are in working condition. The handlers are also in charge of watching the dogs weight and levels of aggression, according to Beck.
"Maintaining the dog's health is the number one concern for any dog handler, whether here or in Iraq," said Beck.
Glass spent five months during his last deployment in Iraq with Beck. He agreed that the dog's health was one of the most important concerns in Iraq.
"It would be like caring for a toddler. You could be a regular infantryman in Iraq, or a regular infantryman in Iraq with a 3-year-old," said Glass.
Glass and Beck are using their personal experiences from Operation Iraqi Freedom to help prepare Reil and Cpl. Eric R. Snipes for their upcoming deployments.
"We'll prepare them the best way that we can and give them the best training we can, but nothing can train you for what to expect over there. I don't think they'll have a problem adjusting when they get over there," said Glass about Snipes and Reil.
With the hazards of Iraq increasingly affecting Marines, depot K-9 handlers believe they are an important asset to the mission.
"In Iraq they like to hide things like bombs and weapons," said Beck. "Humans can't find things that are buried. It's perfect for a dog because he can find things humans can't find. There is no way of hiding it and getting it past a dog."
"Being an explosives handler is no joke. There's no room for error. The one time you screw up, you can endanger yourself, your dog, but most importantly, other Marines," said Beck.
"There's no doubt I'm nervous about going out there. I'm excited to do my job - to go out there and potentially save lives," said Snipes.
Jaco's retirement ceremony has yet to be scheduled. A board is also scheduled to determine the newest addition to the depot military working dog section.
BTTT
my German Professor told my K-9 was a classification in Police Shutzhund Training when he was there in the Army.
also, K-9 isn't a German phonetic pronounciation of Canine... k is ka, soft k not hard K.
i may have been misinformed but he's dead now so i can't even ask him...
Hey! These guys are more effective, bathe more often and seem to be better educated than liberals.
(I have not served. My tagline honors my son and my cousin.)
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