Whats the best unit to seek assignment to. I've got and "itch" to become a K-9 handler.

You would want to look into the MSST program in particular, but keep in mind that getting into the K-9 field is extremely competitive. At my unit, there are two K-9 handlers. One of them is getting out soon, and there was a tough screening process to find a candidate to replace him. There are certain qualifications that you need to have prior to going to school. If you e-mail me in the global I can put you in touch with one of our handlers so you can hear about the required quals and processes. Good luck.

Kevin Couture, SK1

Plenty of the pre-reqs for K9 are going to become an issue as well as some will become less an issue when the LE rating comes along, so what might help you now may not in the future, just be aware that for now, K9 is a unique job to MSSTs, but may be a CG-wide solicitation in the future.

fortunatly K-9 is not unique to the MSST (my appologies phalanx), it has just been very rare until the MSST program started. it was actually spearheaded by a few BMs and PSs at sta Sandy Hook NJ. back in the '90s. and it got "scooped up" by the MSST when they ramped-up.
(correct me were i'm wrong brian)

if the pre-reqs are untenable, and if you've got the cash you could buy a dog (a mean one) train it at a civilian training facility and get a side gig at some security company someplace.(if you're really hard-core, specialize in mall-ninjutsu) - all kidding aside i've met several guys (non-coasties) that have done just that, (but they have bomb-dogs not ninja-dogs)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jwkrause,

A dog isn't such a bad idea for mall security, if you run up against 200 gang-bangers fighting, like at the Triangle Mall in Raleigh last weekend.

Turn the mutt loose for a free-for-all ... you wouldn't have to feed him for a week after that.

"One Rottweiller, one riot?"

quote:

Whats the best unit to seek assignment to. I've got and "itch" to become a K-9 handler.

You think you have an itch now wait until you ride in a car for 8 hours with a dog. You'll have more itches than you can scratch.

How do you keep the head bands on the ninja dogs?

Gotta ask Hong Kong Phooey on that, or maybe the Ninja Turtles!

quote:

Originally posted by jwkrause:
fortunatly K-9 is not unique to the MSST (my appologies phalanx), it has just been very rare until the MSST program started. it was actually spearheaded by a few BMs and PSs at sta Sandy Hook NJ. back in the '90s. and it got "scooped up" by the MSST when they ramped-up.
(correct me were i'm wrong brian)

if the pre-reqs are untenable, and if you've got the cash you could buy a dog (a mean one) train it at a civilian training facility and get a side gig at some security company someplace.(if you're really hard-core, specialize in mall-ninjutsu) - all kidding aside i've met several guys (non-coasties) that have done just that, (but they have bomb-dogs not ninja-dogs)

Yep, another fountain of garbage. MSSTs will be the only locations to have K9s for now. They're the only locations that have them, so I'd say it's pretty unique to the unit. I've been a handler since inception of the current program. There were some guys up in NY, yes, but they're not doing that anymore. No more Narco dogs for us anymore, either.

MSSTs didn't scoop anything up. One of your Sandy Hook buddies put this in the direction it's come into. We've worked particularly hard to keep it going. Unfortunately, we've run into real challenges with advancement and handler selection (that sounds bad, but it is what it is) We've had too many people selected who fill the position for two to three years, then split. Now that the (ME) rating is gaining a hold, we should be able to select more dedicated people and have a little more OBLISERV abilities.

Apologies jw, but there wasn't any 'spearheading' going on if the program was limited to just that area, we've now grown to nation-wide deployability with agency-wide certification standards and a recurring budget system. Sandy Hook was a good start, but it needed the oversight and supervision of the current program to be viable. I hate to bag on it, but NJ was really lacking in direction and scale for program status. We now fly, float, and drive these pups to be utilized throughout the nation.

Hey Mike! Hows LA/LB? Not the same without us huh?

Check your MLEM appidex R. It will out line what you need for the canine position. It is the BEST job I have ever done.