FM 3-19.17 Military Working Dogs.pdf

The highly aggressive dog tactics of the 1960s and 1970s are long gone. Today's MWD program effectively employs expertly trained and motivated handlers coupled with highly intelligent breeds of dogs. These teams are continuously rotating between their assigned duties and deployments worldwide to perform joint operations, multiechelon tasks, and interagency missions. This FM addresses the current capabilities of the Military Police Working Dog Program as well as the potential for future applications. As technology and world situations change, the MWD team will continue the transformation process and give commanders the full-spectrum capabilities needed to be combat multipliers on the battlefield as well as persuasive force protection and antiterrorism assets. Dogs have been used for the protection of life and property since ancient times. From these beginnings, dog training and employment has been continuously refined to produce a highly sophisticated and versatile extension of the soldier's own senses. Even the most complex machines remain unable to duplicate the operational effectiveness of a properly trained MWD team. MWDs provide a valuable asset to military police, infantry, special forces, the Department of Defense (DOD), and other government agencies. The MWD's senses of sight, smell, and hearing enhance his detection capabilities and provide commanders with a physical and psychological deterrent to criminal activity. Properly trained MWDs can prevent an intruder or suspect from escaping. When necessary, the MWD provides an added dimension of physical force as an alternative to the use of deadly force. Public knowledge of MWD team capabilities provides military police and various security forces with a formidable deterrent wherever the MWD team is employed. MWDs are key resources for use in the military police combat support role. MWDs are trained for scouting, patrolling, and performing building and area searches. Some MWDs have also been trained to track although this is not a required area of expertise. All of these skills contribute to the successful completion of the five military police functions across the full spectrum of military operations. Contents include: Historical Overview, Mission Requirements, Kennel Construction, Procurement, Training Requirements, Validation, Certification of Military Working Dog Teams, Inspections, Training Records, Probable Cause Folders, Transportation Requirements, Narcotics and Explosive Training Aids, Managing Military Working Dog Operations, Legal Considerations, Use of Force, Searches, Patrol Dogs, Narcotics Detector Dogs, Combat Support Operations, Vessel Baggage and Cargo Inspections, Customs Service Missions, Explosive Detector Dogs, Postal Operations, Bomb Threats, Aircraft and Luggage Searches, Veterinary Support, First Aid, Environmental Effects on the Working Dog.