Marine Corps Dog Handler

In the late summer of 1942 the marine corps decided to experiment with the use of dogs in war which may have been a new departure for the corps but not a new idea in warfare.

Marine corps dog handler.

War dogs in the marine corps in world war ii. A2a as jim says 5811 pmos is where most marine dog handlers are employed. This is the life of a marine corps military working dog handler mwd also known as mos 5812. Marine corps base quantico va.

The marine corps grooms marines before they leave to the school house to ensure they re. Marines who are selected to become dog handlers will attend the military working dog basic handler course located at lackland air force base in san antonio texas for a six week course that will qualify the marine as a basically trained handler. The four year old german shepherd complies looks to his handler for approval and awaits the next set of directions marine corps recruiting command news. The pair served two deployments in iraq together.

The military working dog handlers are one such military occupational specialties are the foundation of the marine corps. It s usually a secondary or additional mos i hear it s the 5812 admos you have to already be a 5811 to qualify to go to the dog training school. Those interested in training as a usmc dog handler will face competition for the limited spots and scores in physical fitness exams and shooting are taken into account as well as class performance. Selection for usmc dog handler is a strict process and the positions are few and highly sought after.

Usually they give the se. War dogs in the marine corps. Leavey enlisted in the marines in 2003 and was stationed at camp pendleton california where she was paired with military working dog rex e168. Becoming a marine working dog handler.

I was 17 years old when i went in and stationed in jacksonville florida a long way from elmira new york. Each mos is a cog working with and relying on each other to keep the. Previous experience as a dog handler was not a prerequisite but men who had associated. It is a secondary mos to military police mos 5811.

It is an mos that is reserved for marines who have shown exemplary leadership duty above and beyond normal marine duties and have gone through a rigorous selection process to be selected to work with a military k9. Megan leavey born october 28 1983 is a us marine corporal veteran who served as a military police k9 handler. I went into the marine corps in 1942 and signed up for a four year hitch.