Working Dogs keep Marines safe

Photo By Cpl. Khoa Pelczar | Sgt. Alfred Nieto, a working dog handler with Military Police Support Company, 1st...... read more read more

Photo By Cpl. Khoa Pelczar | Sgt. Alfred Nieto, a working dog handler with Military Police Support Company, 1st Marine Headquarters Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force., kneels next to his military working dog Lucy.  see less | View Image Page

UNITED STATES

09.26.2009

Story by Pfc. Khoa Pelczar 

1st Marine Logistics Group

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"Watch him! Watch him!" is all it takes for a seemingly docile canine to transform into a trained killer, its snarling teeth exposed as it readies to attack.

When Horst, a 7-year-old German Shepard and military working dog, hears the command from his handler, he instantly prepares to take down the enemy. When the command "Bite!" is given, Horst rushes his attacker in the blink of an eye, grabbing onto the enemy's arm with the utmost strength — and not letting go.

Military working dogs have helped Marines on and off the battlefield for years, but their training continues to adapt to new circumstances. To become more familiar in a combat environment, Military working dogs and their handlers headed out to San Mateo here for field training, Sept. 26, with Military Police Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group.

The dogs were brought out to the field so they could experience a live-fire movement while working together with Marines, explained Sgt. Alfred C. Nieto, working dog handler with Military Police Support Company, 1st Marine Headquarters Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force.

"[By bringing the dogs] out here, we can get them used to things we encounter on a daily basis and have them operating with a Marine squad," he said. "They need to be able to adapt and work it through."

It's important for the dogs to become familiarized with their surroundings and the sounds of gunfire because it could easily become a hazard out in the battlefield if the dog isn't properly trained, clarified Nieto. If the dog freaks out during battle and the handler tries to control his dog while having live rounds loaded, he could possibly flag the entire platoon of Marines and endanger those around him.

"Mission accomplishment is one of the most important things in the Marine Corps," Nieto said. "Keeping our numbers up is a part of mission accomplishment."

On a daily basis, these dogs are constantly training; everything from doing line drills or taking them on hikes, to having them run through obstacle courses, explained Nieto. Sometimes the dogs also get to go out with a patrol unit or a convoy exercise.
Handlers teach their dogs the five phases of aggression and how to react accordingly to each command.

Phase one, "bite," is when the dog is ordered to take down the fleeing suspect by force. During phase two, "stand-off," the suspect surrenders or is taken down by the dog, and the dog lets go of the suspect. If the suspect tries to escape again, though, then the dog receives the command to enter phase three, "re-attack." Phase four is simply "search," in which the dog approaches to check out strangers, making sure they have nothing dangerous on them. Phase five, "field interview," is when the dog and trainer come up to a stranger who tries to enter the base to make certain the person has a good reason to enter.

"Everything is a game to the dogs," added Nieto, 24, from San Antonio. "So it's instantaneous how their aggression changes from chill and calm to tearing a man apart."

Military Working Dogs are trained to obey orders instantly, which is important in a life or death situation.

"If the suspect flees, [the dog is] one step less than lethal, right below a gun," said Cpl. Ramiro Olgun, working dog handler with Military Police Support Company, 1st Marine Headquarters Group, I MEF.

"These dogs are trained," added Olgun, 22, from Eagle Pass, Texas. "It takes months and years to train these dogs. They're trained to attack and they're trained to find explosives."

After months of training, eventually the dog and handler develop a special bond.
"Me and my dog, Horst, he's a part of me," said Olgun of his faithful four-legged partner who waits by his side. "Rapport building is very important, it never ends."

Military working dogs have worked side by side with Marines on the battlefield for years, helping them to accomplish the mission. Through proper training, man's best friend can continue to keep Marines safer in combat.