Our guest for this episode is a retired Marine who served 20 years on active duty filling various billets within the USMC’s Military Working Dog (MWD) Program.
He has served as a Handler, Trainer, Instructor, Specialized Search Dog (SSD) Handler, Kennel Master, Marine Security Guard Detachment Commander, and the Multi-Purpose Canine Program Manager.
He started his career in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, at the Provost Marshal’s Office (PMO) MWD section where he conducted multiple missions with his MWD. He continued his canine career at Lackland AFB as an MWD Trainer selecting, training, and certifying canines for the Department of Defense (DoD).
In the rapidly changing MWD program, He became the first Marine instructor for a new advanced off-leash MWD capability, the Specialized Search Dog (or SSD). He trained handlers and SSDs to be successful canine teams for overseas deployments as an instructor. He attended an SSD course in Israel, training with an elite canine unit, and paired with SSD Lucca K458. After months of training, this new SSD team deployed twice to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. You can read about Lucca and her life in the book “Top Dog: The Story of Marine Hero Lucca” by Maria Goodavage.
In 2010, he deployed beside 30 MWD teams to Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) while assigned to the Military Police Support Company’s MWD Platoon under the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF). He later completed a tour as a Marine Security Guard (MSG) Detachment Commander, and he returned to the MWD field as the Kennel Master for I MEF’s MWD Platoon. While assigned to the MWD Platoon, he deployed to Kuwait, establishing a forward-deployed Marine Kennel to provide various units with MWD support. He completed his career serving as the Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) Multi-Purpose Canine Program Manager, preparing canine teams for special operations worldwide.
Throughout his 20-year career, he has gained a wealth of operational experience. With that experience, he mentored and trained numerous MWD teams for deployments overseas, all during a period of substantial growth and development within the MWD community.
He continues to give back to the MWD community by currently serving as the President of the United States War Dogs Association. An association that exists to provide a lifetime of practical support to MWDs; their handlers and adopted families. Check out their website and social media pages for updates as this organization helps MWDs live out the retirement they deserve. Consider donating to help the organization to continue their support, if you have a retired MWD and are not aware of their services, check them out and reach out for any assistance you may need.
The United States War Dogs Association
Instagram@uswardogs_official
Facebook @ United States War Dogs Association
Follow the Instagram and Facebook page @thedogsofwarpodcast
In Canis Confiderus!
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DISCLAIMER: The host and guests on this Podcast share their personal experiences and do not represent the views of their affiliated organizations or the Department of Defense.
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