Being Stationed in Okinawa: Sgt. Phelan and MWD Graco

Photo By Sgt. Tyler Andrews | U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Phelan, a military police officer and working dog handler with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, commands military working dog Graco, a 3-year-old German Shepherd patrol and explosive detection dog with direction control through obstacles on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 10, 2023. “I am very blessed,” said Phelan, a 22-year-old Prior Lake, Minnesota native. “I have one of the best, if not the best job in the United States Marine Corps, because I get to come to work every day and there is a little four-legged friend that is just so beyond ecstatic to see me. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” Over the last three years Phelan has been the handler for two military working dogs. From 2020 to 2022, he was the handler for MWD Yyasko, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois patrol and explosive detection dog. Phelan is currently the handler for MWD Graco. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Andrews)  

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JAPAN

07.10.2023

Story by Cpl. Tyler Andrews 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JAPAN–U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Phelan, a military police officer and working dog handler with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, is currently serving active duty in Okinawa, Japan. Phelan began working as a military working dog handler in Okinawa December 2020.

“Okinawa is a great duty station,” said Phelan, a 22-year-old Prior Lake, Minnesota native. “It’s a very interesting one because you get removed from the [United] States. What it does create is a phenomenal bond and brotherhood between the Marines, so it creates really tight-knit work communities.”

Over the last three years Phelan has been the handler for two military working dogs. From 2020 to 2022, he was the handler for MWD Yyasko, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois patrol and explosive detection dog. Phelan is currently the handler for MWD Graco, a 3-year-old German Shepherd patrol and explosive detection dog with direction control.

“I really wanted to pursue veterinary medicine,” said Phelan. “I actually applied to colleges to get a degree in veterinary medicine, but I also really wanted to serve my country. At the end of the day, I was trying to decide if I wanted to go to school for six to eight years to become a veterinarian, or do I enlist in the Marine Corps, get to work now, get to serve my country and work with dogs, hopefully? I knew that wasn’t a guarantee, but it was something I was willing to risk. It has translated wonderfully, because these dogs are here on the good and bad days. It doesn’t matter how bad of a day I’m having or how bad the weather is; when I walk into those kennels and those dogs are jumping for joy, I am the best thing that has walked through those doors and you can’t help but to smile. I am very blessed. I have one of the best, if not the best job in the United States Marine Corps, because I get to come to work every day and there is a little four-legged friend that is just so beyond ecstatic to see me. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Phelan will report to U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, in January 2024 to attend Drill Instructor School, East, where he will share his passion and dedication with the next generation of Marines.

• Date Taken: 07.10.2023
• Date Posted: 07.25.2023 02:17
• Story ID: 448944
• Location: CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP
• Hometown: PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA, US