#combat dogs

[kentuckyfriedfungus]

This memorial day, let's not only pay our respects to the fallen soldiers, but to also pay respects to the fallen military dogs that fought along side them in combat. I hope they're getting endless belly rubs and alll the steak and grilled chickens they can eat in the afterlife.

[theforgottengn]

Facts on the combat dogs…

Bravo Company: Captain (Cap)– female German shepherd

November Company: Jericho (Jerry)– male Siberian Husky (I know that they don’t use huskies in the military but shut up and let me have this…)

Sierra Company: Gunner– male black Labrador Retriever

India Company: Gypsy (Gyp)– female Belgian Malinois (these dogs are similar to German shepherds but like smaller…)

~~~

–Bravo Company was the first team to receive a combat service dog. The H.E.R.A.C.L.E.S. ppl wanted to test the waters so to speak.

–Each dog has a specific service number assigned to it. Service numbers are tattooed inside the dog’s ear. (I read that they do this with real combat dogs so adding it for some more realism…)

–All combat dogs also have trackers embedded into their skin. In the neck underneath where collars usually go.

–The dogs go through intense training before being assigned to a team.

–After being assigned to a team the ops and the dog go through some training together. So they can build a relationship and whatnot.

–Even though the dog belongs to its assigned team the leader of that team is the technical owner. Leaders are thus fully responsible for the dog and anything that happens to the animal.

–Dogs live with their team in that team’s assigned barrack. So Captain lives with Bravo Company and Jericho lives with November Company… so on and so forth.

–H.E.R.A.C.L.E.S. Initiative regulation dictates that all combat service dogs must receive 25 hours of exercise per week. There is a specific regimen they have to follow and can only choose excerises from an approved list.

–Leaders must keep a log of the exercise routine. The log is monitored by each leader’s handler.

–Just like the ops the dogs are allowed to do whatever during down time.

Um… idk what else to add here so I guess that’s it on the pups for now…

[soldierswithcutethings]

May I Have This Dance?

Lance Cpl. Nathaniel Miller and Military Working Dog Beano give each other a 'chest bump' before working a training scenario at the Yuma Proving Grounds July 26. The duo was part of a demonstration for some of the Army Test and Evaluation Command's top officers, enlisted and civilian personnel. They demonstrated locating explosives and aggression work amid the sounds of machine-gun fire. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Diamant)

[soldierswithcutethings]

Marine's Best Friend

Lance Cpl. Joseph Nunez from Burbank, Calif., interacts with Viky, a U.S. Marine Corps improvised explosive device detection dog, after searching a compound while conducting counter-insurgency operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 17, 2013. The Marines of Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment conducted operations to deter insurgent activity, establish a presence and gather human intelligence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alejandro Pena/Released)

[soldierswithcutethings]

Staff Sgt. Alexis Scott with her MWD Arka. After retiring from the service she adopted Arka in 2012. Scott said it took about a year to get all of the paperwork filed for the adoption.

[soldierswithcutethings]

The Dogs of War

Out in front of America’s troops, combat canines and their handlers lead the way onto the most dangerous battlefields on Earth.

Read at National Geographic →