The long nose of the law - military working dogs

All Hands, May, 2002 by Joseph Gunder

When Master-at-Arms 1st Class (SW) Derek Rolmar received a request to ensure a local conference center was properly screened for any possible explosives, he looked to his partner, an expert in detecting explosive-related materials for professional assistance.

Holman's partner scoured the area with an acute detective sense: searching under tables chairs corners, anywhere, and pausing only to examine a plate of unattended chocolate-chip cookies left out for those who were soon to visit.

"No, you can't have those," Holman instructed .

Too bad. His partner backed off the cookies and continued the search.

Holman is attached to Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA) based in the Hampton Roads, Va., area. He and his partner, a six-year-old German shepherd named "Aramius," make up one of more than 30 military working dog (MWD) teams that serve the mid-Atlantic region. These specially trained Sailor/canine duos are highly dedicated, ready to serve anywhere -- at any time.

While cookies would be great, the reward Aramius really craves is his master's praise, or a simple opportunity to pay. That's what motivates him to work so hard for so many hours a day

"Dogs are very loyal," said MA2(SW) Brandy Garcia, of the K-9 unit at the Sewell's Point Precinct, Naval Station Norfolk.

Indeed they are, and that's what makes them suitable for military use. They take orders well ... no questions asked.

"Dogs don't talk back or argue," Holman added.

"That's why I like them."

The Navy currently uses more than 200 MWDs.

These dogs are used in three ways: drug detection, explosive detection or patrol duty. Dogs can even be dual-trained to be a patrol/drug dog or a patrol/explosive dog. DOD, for safety reasons, doesn't train explosive/drug dogs.

"Suppose your dog detected something and sat down," explained Holman. (Sitting is one way a dog indicates it's found something) "who do you call, security to make a [drug] bust or EOD (explosive ordnance disposal)?"

Drug-sniffing dogs have been trained to seek out a host of narcotic scents, such as marijuana and ecstasy. Explosive-sniffing dogs seek all types of explosive powders and materials, including detonation cord. Patrol dogs serve as a visual deterrent (big dog, big bite). They also assist by using their noses to sniff out a suspect in hiding, and if necessary, they can get physical, pursuing a suspect and attacking on command.

While these special dogs may have some natural abilities that make them perfect for the job, their basic training comes from one place: the DOD Military Working Dog Training School, operated by the 341st. Training Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The Transportation Security Administration also uses dogs trained at Lackland.

While some MWDs are bought in the United States, a large portion are purchased from vendors in Europe, as they provide a "purer-bred" dog with less joint and back problems then what is often found in American domestic breeds. Each dog is further screened to ensure it exhibits she behaviors that the military needs.

"We go to Europe and look at about 400 dogs a year," said MA1(SW/AW) David Highsmith, a MWD trainer at Lackland. "We look for searching behavior, biting ability and an ability to distinguish a wrap ( a thick burlap biting target that fits over the arm) from a person. We don't want a dog that will bite the wrap and not the man."

Once the dogs have been identified and purchased, they go through a four-month course at Lackland where they receive the basic-level of training required by all the services; how to sniff for explosives or drugs, and how to be a patrol dog.

Initially, explosive and drug dogs are introduced to their target scents through a type of shell game. Four small boxes with an opening on top are laid out in a room to teach the dogs two things; what that scent smells like, and what you get when your find it (a toy and verbal praise). To get the toy, you have to pick the right box.

Lackland even had special areas set aside to teach dogs to find scents in parked cars, luggage and aircraft fuselages, complete with seats.

Patrol dogs also receive aggression training for two reasons: to protect themselves and the handler, and to control their won natural aggression.

"A bullet, after it is fired, can't be brought back," said Air Force Senior Master Sergeant James Kohlrenken, operation superintendent of the 341st Training Squadron. "But a suspect might give up after the dog is released, which is why it's important to be able to teach the dog to cease its attack as the situation changes."

Patrol dogs are also taught how to properly conduct a building search. They are led through an empty building and graded on how effectively they pick out the correct door with a human decoy behind it. If the dog indicates a human presence by either scratching or barking, its handler issues a verbal warning. The handler and dog then bust through the door, and the dog is allowed to bite the decoy's wrap.