HOW TO BECOME A U.S. AIR FORCE SECURITY FORCES DOG HANDLER
I LOVE GERMAN SHEPHERDS. I HAVE TWO NOW, AND HAD THE FORTUNE TO OWN ONE IN THE PAST…
I’m also a U.S. Air Force (USAF) Firefighter veteran. I worked side by side with Security Forces (SF) in Europe, both on base and flightline. Part of those SF forces was the gorgeous, formidable, faithful, and when necessary, terrifying German Shepherds of the K-9 Military Working Dog (MWD) units.
Just the booming cavernous bark, emitted from the back seat of Air Force Police vehicles, always elicited instant command to those around and a made the hairs on the backs of necks stand up.
Let me provide a glimpse into the USAF MWD Program and illustrate what it takes to be a MWD Handler for the Air Force, and what great service these beautiful creatures, under the supervision of our dedicated Air Force service members, provide this country every day.
30,000 DOGS
Since prehistoric times, man and dog have bonded and worked together to survive. Military forces across the globe have utilized canines in warfare throughout history. Approximately 30,000 dogs have served in the U.S. military in harm‘s way, responsible for saving literally thousands of lives. The German Shepherd has been a major part of this demographic. (MWD)
One fine spring day in 1957, (May 1) the USAF were handed off, from the U.S. Army – who had trained the initial 11,000 U.S. military working dogs since 1943 – full responsibility for MWD training. Their new mission was to train “sentry” dogs and the USAF went on to establish what is now the 341st Training Squadron, at Lackland AFB, Texas. (MWD)
The German Shepherd along with other MW Dogs, served with pride in Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and numerous other far-flung locations as needed.
It’s only fitting that the Air Force train it’s working dog’s at Lackland. It’s the exact same training location, and first stop, for anyone joining the Air Force, to undertake their Basic Military Training (BMT). Both recruits and military working dogs, train under the same blazing sun, within the same 13,000 Texas acres, or 16 square miles of dry Texas landscape.
THE MIGHTY 341ST
The 341st Training Squadron at Lackland AFB, is THE critical cog in the worldwide working dog training wheel. 341st personnel, are very busy indeed. They train MWD handlers and supervisors, to work closely with dogs used in patrol, drug and explosive detection, specialized mission objectives, and more. They also cover logistics, veterinary care, breeding, adoption, and even fostering. These services are provided for the Department of Defense (DoD) and many other government agencies. (341st)
Their mission?
Build, Develop, and Field Elite Military Working Dog Team (MWDT) weapon systems for the Department of Defense in support of the Nation’s war fighting capability.
Their Vision?
To be the world’s premier Military Working Dog (MWD) enterprise.
The USAF 341st Training Squadron and the MWD handlers in the field, succeed on both counts, spectacularly.
The process to become a MWD Handler is a multi-step sequence that provides one of the best opportunities in the world to a select few.
First, you need to be a member of the Air Force SF, then second, one half of your Air Force enlistment needs to be complete. Then you can apply to be a dog handler. Potential handlers must submit a application package, including a letter of recommendation, before even being considered for Handler duties.
NO WALK IN THE PARK
However, becoming a MWD Handler in the U.S. Air Force isn’t all chewy treats and fun in the park. You need to demonstrate you are prepared to get down and dirty. You must become master, partner, and caretaker for your MWD. That takes a willingness to roll up the sleeves and work.
According to Staff Sgt. Nicholas Ehlinger, the 47th Security Forces Squadron K-9 Division kennel master, “A lot of people think they want to work with dogs. That is, until I put them to work in the kennels, showing them what is involved in being a K-9 handler.” (May)
Ehlinger makes sure MWD Handler candidates know what they are getting in to right away. “I usually require at least 14 hours of ‘shadowing,’ where a candidate will follow around a handler to see what the job is really like,” the sergeant said.” (May)
Applicants also have to provide themselves to be “catcher’s” – fully padded training victims, that the MWD gets to chase and take down, teeth sinking, power on full. “This is where we weed out the people who might not be cut out for this…and make sure they’re not going to drop out,” Sergeant Ehlinger explained. “They need to know what they’re in for.” (May)
If selected, you will pack up and head off to military dog handler technical school, at the 341st, Lackland AFB. For three and a half months you join members of other branches of the military and work together seamlessly in a joint training environment.
Finally, once assigned to a base, you are teamed up with a dog, and the spend two to three weeks getting to know each other. A highly motivated handler can be ready to work with his dog in as little as two weeks. From there, the assignment possibilities are endless.
THE TASK LIST IS ENDLESS
MW Dogs and their Handlers work special events, patrol bases and flightlines, detect explosives or narcotics, along with supporting off-base activities. They respond to bomb threats, criminal arrests, and at times humanitarian assistance. They perform routine checks of buildings on base, perimeter sweeps and many, many other tasks.
The MWD becomes a true companion, and a bond quickly forms between dog and handler. Handlers are the MWD’s caregiver, trainer, master, and friend.
Handlers are responsible for bathing, grooming, exercising, and feeding their dogs. And, if their dog becomes injured, they are trained to deal with cuts, scrapes, broken nails, broken teeth, and more importantly, major wounds and lifesaving. Such is the nature of military service for both partners, human and canine.
SENIOR ENLISTED SUPPORT
Senior enlisted staff provide valuable mentoring and supervision over the handler’s and their dogs. Like any specialty in the Air Force, Airman, A1C’s, and Senior Airman Security Forces (SF) members / dog handlers, can look up to their Staff Sergeants and above for experience and guidance.
Senior enlisted ensure standards are kept high. They are responsible for making sure the bond, teamwork, and skills between a handler and a MWD are at their highest level. They also ensure critical daily tasks are completed.
According to Staff Sgt. Charles Gaines, based at Laughlin AFB, “My day-to-day consists of feeding and checking up on the dogs…then I’ll come up with a game plan with the handlers on what kind of training they will be doing that day, whether that’s patrol or detection.” (Reynolds)
Gaines finds his job very rewarding. He loves to see “the progress between a handler and dog when they finally start working together as a team and forming a strong bond.” He adds in an Air Force interview that, “It’s great to see a handler develop the skills needed to read their dog and start working with them to move as one machine.” I’m thankful we have men and women like this who serve in our military every day. (Reynolds)
His responsibilities include realistic training scenarios. “Part of my job is to hide either faux drugs or explosives around the base and have the handlers and their dogs go out and run a ‘detection problem,’ as we call it, to find them,” said Gaines. “We will also go out and do a patrol to work on controlled aggression or searches for a person(s) outside or inside buildings.” (Reynolds)
He also reminds us that the MWD has a personality and mood swings of its own. “A dog’s mood can change from day to day, which is why understanding dog psychology is a must for these handlers and trainers.”
THE USAF GERMAN SHEPHERD EARNS HIS KEEP
The daily tasking for each Air Force MWD and Handler is vast. Not only are they tasked to protect the personnel and families who live and work on Air Force bases across the globe, they are in the front line protecting Air Force assets, equipment, aircraft, weapons, etc. They patrol flightlines religiously, if anyone thinks they can get on base unauthorized, they clearly haven’t yet met a USAF Security Forces member and his furry companion.
When needed, the USAF German Shepherd is there, on point, 100% of the time. Someone infiltrates the base perimeter; the Shepherd is there. If there are drugs on the premises or in the car; the Shepherd will find them. If an unauthorized civilian or criminal element is operating on base property; the Shepherd will chase them down and drop them quickly and efficiently; if the Air Force Handler is in trouble; the Shepherd will protect and die for their master.
While we are tucked up in our beds, MW Dogs are side by side with their Handlers worldwide, protecting U.S. Interests in all kinds of locations and conditions.
German Shepherds are selected amongst other breeds by the Air Force to serve, due to their many outstanding breed attributes. Valued for their intelligence, loyalty, athleticism, and a streamlined body, they prove every day how strong and agile they are.
Excellent herding dogs, German shepherds are also very well suited to work as service animals. Ranked #4 in 2022, for breed popularity, German shepherds are protective, loyal companions. They have an inexhaustive work ethic and ability to be trained.
They are “high energy” dogs, they crave and want to be exercised and trained, mind and body. This makes them the perfect fit for the USAF. They are intensely loyal to their owners, and love “their people” but can be cautious around strangers and wary of new comers.
UNBREAKABLE BONDS
Handlers and MW Dogs, understandably become inseparable. This in itself is a wonderful perk. Once the dog retires or the handler leaves the base, things can get messy. Although handlers change permanent duty stations with the same frequency as other career fields, dogs are permanently assigned to a base and change handlers when one leaves. Regardless of how “tough” the handler, this can be heartbreaking for both dog and Handler. However, as you will see each handler may get the opportunity to adopt his / her MWD upon retirement.
So, what does happen after a MWD ends its career? The U.S. Air Force are proud to transition their MW Dog’s to retire with dignity and the opportunity to spend their remaining days pampered and loved.
This wasn’t always the case. Disturbingly the numbers from Vietnam make one cringe with shame. “During the Vietnam War, around 350 MW Dogs were killed in action. About 4,000 total military dogs served, but only 200 were brought back to the United States. The rest were left behind. The U.S. government classified these dogs as military equipment, which meant they weren’t considered worthy of treatment or care after the war…In the past, it wasn’t uncommon for military dogs to be left behind, even if they survived combat. This was particularly true after the Vietnam War.” Shameful and unforgivable. (Hilpert)
One particular MWD named Kurt, a Doberman Pinscher, made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II. Kurt is estimated to have saved the lives of 250 Marines on Guam, but sadly, he was mortally wounded in action.
Approximately 4,000 dogs served in the Vietnam War, “leading patrols with their handlers. These dogs are credited with saving more than 10,000 lives.” (Hilpert)
Thankfully, The National Defense Authorization Act for FY2013 changed that, allowing the military to transfer retired dogs to locations for adoption and provide them with veterinary care. Now, a more humane and fitting retirement system is in place for our four-legged heroes. (Hilpert)
A KINDER RETIREMENT SYSTEM
Upon career completion a series of steps take place. First, the MWD Unit o the base gets first dibs on adopting the MWD, next up the Handler or other SF members. Then lastly, the general military population.
According to Tech. Sgt. Andres Posada, 97th SFS kennel master. “We take pride in retiring dogs that get to live out the last few years of their life…we are actually really happy that she gets to live on a couch for a couple of years, knowing that they’re not out there working all day and night.” (Christenson)
After MWDs retire, they are put up for adoption. The first pick is given to the MWD unit on base, then other SFS members. If no one from SFS is able to adopt, the general military population is given the opportunity to adopt. (Christenson)
They served their country, now the country gets to serve them.
FOUR LEGGED GOLD
The U.S Air Force, and military as a whole, understand that each MWD is like gold. With so much time and money invested in each dog, they are accordingly given well deserved awards ceremonies and medals. And when they pass on, they’re buried with honors. (The passage of the Robby Law in 2000 allowed for retired military dogs to be adopted. Before that, they were euthanized).
BEST KEPT SECRET IN THE AIR FORCE – AND LIFE
Like I said, I’m a proud owner of two German Shepherds, and I’m an Air Force veteran. I’m also proud of the service to our country the men and women of our military perform each day. I’m especially proud of the men and women U.S. Air Force MW Dog Handlers that are stationed worldwide at this moment, risking their lives, protecting people and assets, ensuring the safety of our service members and success of military missions. It has also been said that the job of Handler “is the best kept secret in the Air Force.” (May)
I’m well aware that breeds such as the Doberman Pinscher, the Belgian Malinois, and other breeds have served and serve as MW Dogs with proud distinction, however, to me the German Shepherd stands out.
To me, a German Shepherd owner, I think it’s one of the best kept secrets in life.
The military working German Shepherd has proven its worth and loyalty many times over, sometimes regrettably with their lives.
I love the German Shepherd.
Thank you for your service.
See you at the next Roll Call.
Shift dismissed.
A K-9 POEM – TRUSTED PARTNER
Trusted partner by my side
You sense there’s trouble near
But your courageous loyalty
Surpasses any fear
You tell me of the foes advance
But utter not a word
And though they did their best to hide
Their every move you heard
With presence cloaked by midnight’s veil
Surprise is their intent
But they misjudged your K-9 nose
That found them by their scent
You gave away their hiding place
And then you made your stand
Without a thought of giving up
Though death, was close at hand
You are my partner and best friend
And though we must soon part
Your memory and comradeship
Will live within my heart
Oh yes my valiant warrior
Your deeds shall long be known
Of how you carried on the fight,
Long after I’d gone home.
Howard G. Yates
@ February 12, 2007
SOURCES/CITATION
- Airman 1st Class Kailee Reynolds, Working with our Air Force’s Four-Legged Defenders – https://www.afsfc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3292987/working-with-our-air-forces-four-legged-defenders/
- https://www.37trw.af.mil/Units/37th-Training-Group/341st-Training-Squadron/
- Senior Airman Kayla Christenson, Altus | MWD Cora retires after 7 years of service – https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3159934/altus-mwd-cora-retires-after-7-years-of-service/
- Military Working Dog (MWD) Program – https://www.usafpolice.org/k-9.html
- Elbert Hilpert, Military Dogs Killed in Action Honoring the Fallen – https://www.nahf.org/article/military-dogs-killed-in-action
- https://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1302862/military-k-9-unit-capabilities-forged-by-respect/
- Senior Airman Lane T. Plummer, Military K-9 unit: capabilities forged by respect – nhttps://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/620965/stepping-stones-airmans-path-to-k-9-career/
- Staff Sgt. Austin M. May, Becoming a K-9 handler: not exactly a walk in the park – https://www.laughlin.af.mil/News/News/Article/355830/becoming-a-k-9-handler-not-exactly-a-walk-in-the-park/
- Jenna Stragowski, German Shepherd: Explore Traits and Essential Care Tips – https://www.thesprucepets.com/breed-profile-german-shepherd-dog-1117967