Photo Essay - The "Soldier Dogs" of War

[cupper]

Interesting photo essay in the Washington Post, on US military working dogs.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/conversations/soldier-dogs-and-their-handlers/2012/04/10/gIQAVHiW9S_gallery.html?hpid=z8

 

[Bass ackwards]

I would imagine that book is going to be a serious tear-jerker at times...

 

[Sythen]

Awesome pictures! If I was at home, I'd post a pic of our bomb dog on patrol with us.. Got a couple pictures of him and I together!

Something interesting that I didn't know about that I learned from that article is about Sgt Stubby.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergeant_Stubby

Sergeant Stubby (1916 or 1917 – March 16, 1926), was the most decorated war dog of World War I and the only dog to be promoted to sergeant through combat.

 

[cupper]

I was surprised that there is very little done for Military Dogs post service.

They mentioned the Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act which is in Congress now.

http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h4103/text

Some key points:

The Secretary of Defense shall classify military working dogs as canine members of the armed forces. Such dogs shall not be classified as equipment.

If the Secretary of the military department concerned determines that a military working dog should be retired, and no suitable adoption is available at the military facility where the dog is located, the Secretary may transfer the dog--
(1) to the 341st Training Squadron; or
(2) to another location for adoption under this section.

The Secretary of Defense shall establish and maintain a system to provide for the veterinary care of retired military working dogs.

The veterinary care provided a military working dog under this section shall be provided during the life of the dog beginning on the date on which the dog is adopted.

The Secretary of Defense shall create a decoration or other appropriate recognition to recognize military working dogs under the jurisdiction of the Secretary that are killed in action or perform an exceptionally meritorious or courageous act in service to the United States.

 

[my72jeep]

The US History of abandoning the dogs in Vietnam during the pull out is a black mark on there record.

 

[Kat Stevens]

Awesome pictures! If I was at home, I'd post a pic of our bomb dog on patrol with us.. Got a couple pictures of him and I together!

Something interesting that I didn't know about that I learned from that article is about Sgt Stubby.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergeant_Stubby

And stubby was one one of those hateful savage baby eating pit bulls.  Today he'd be banned from serving, or worse.

 

[cupper]

Actually finished reading "Soldier Dogs" a couple weeks ago. It is a very interesting read.

Wasn't as much a tear jerker as you would think, but there were a couple of bits that I kinda choked up some (OK several times).

The book is not so much a "war bio" (for lack of better term) than it is a study of how the US military selects, trains, deploys and supports Military Working Dogs (MWD) [was hard reading without twisting MWD into WMD :nod:]

There are interviews with many personnel in the program, from handlers, trainers, vets and animal experts employed to oversee selection and support. There are several stories mixed into the book that provide examples for the discussion at hand.

I recommend it for anyone interested in learning about what goes into the MWD program.

If you are looking for something more of a "war-bio" I would recommend "Sergeant Rex" by Mike Dowling. It chronicles his time in Iraq as one of the first dog teams deployed early in that conflict. These guys [MWD & Handlers] definitely fall into the "Hero" category in my books.

 

[bridges]

Very interesting; I had no idea.  Thanks for the link, cupper.  I'll check out the books you mentioned in the book thread (maybe w/ a box of kleenexes handy in case my allergies kick in...):  http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/78425.525.html

Abandoning the dogs in Vietnam... jeez. 

There's some info here from a Canadian angle, if anyone's interested:  http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/105895/post-1142994.html#msg1142994

 

[cupper]

Up until the recent policy changes indicated above, MWD's were considered as equipment, and as such given very little consideration above providing the necessary essentials to maintain said equipment (at higher levels anyway).

 

[bridges]

Up until the recent policy changes indicated above, MWD's were considered as equipment, and as such given very little consideration above providing the necessary essentials to maintain said equipment (at higher levels anyway).

I wonder how much difference there is between that, and how horses were treated in the FWW. 

Of course many people still regard animals that way, while others, like me, happily spend hours deciphering their cats' facial expressions in order to be better at their service.  :

 

[cupper]

spend hours deciphering their cats' facial expressions in order to be better at their service.  :

That's why I own 2 dogs. ;D

 

[cupper]

Deleted inadvertent duplicate post.

 

[cupper]

Bumping to add a new photo essay on MWD's.

Some awesome photos of MWD's doing the things that need to be done.

http://www.cnet.com/pictures/these-tech-savvy-military-dogs-will-kill-you-with-cuteness/

These tech-savvy military dogs will kill you with cuteness (pictures)
It's a high-risk, high-tech dog's life for these Navy K-9s who are pure 10s to their human partners.

Two awesome photos: First of a dog and trainer doing a tandem High Altitude jump, and another of four dogs and handlers repelling from a chopper.

And a poignant one of a wounded 4 legged warrior with an artificial hind leg.

 

[cupper]

Bumped again for an update on new legislation that was enacted.

President Signs Bill: All Military Dogs Will Return Home, No Exceptions

http://ild.littlethings.com/military-dog-mandate/?utm_content=buffer16771&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=ild&utm_campaign=ild

This is a win for every dog, every veteran, and anyone with a conscience. As a part of the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), both sides of the political aisle in the House of Representatives and Senate, along with President Barack Obama himself, have signed a bill mandating that every military dog be returned to United States soil after retirement.

Furthermore, their human handlers and families will be given first priority for adoption. This is groundbreaking. How many times have we seen service men and women separated from the dogs that saved their lives?

Not only does this ensure the safety of these dogs of valor, it ensures their right to happiness in a familiar forever home.

According to the American Humane Association, each military dog saves between 150-200 soldiers’ lives by detecting IEDs and hidden weapons.

“This is a momentous day for all veterans,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane Association president and CEO. “We applaud Congress and the president for passing and signing the bill with the language we provided, and stepping up for our brave K-9 Battle Buddy teams who have benefited, and will continue to benefit, from their service together.”

This law will help honor military dogs like Bernie, a Belgian Malinois who was trained to sniff more than 14 different explosives. Her handler soldier, Bret Reynolds loved her while they were serving in Iraq and loved her all the more when they returned home together.

When Bernie passed away, Reynolds was able to honor her life as a hero through a special memorial service. Unfortunately, most military dogs do not go home with their handlers, they may never even return to the U.S., and they will never be honored. With this new legislation they are now treated with the dignity that every soldier deserves.

 

[jollyjacktar]

A good and proper thing to see happen.  BZ