What's it like being a military working dog handler?

I'm curious about the role of a military working dog handler. How do you become one, and what are your daily responsibilities? Is it an option worth considering after high school?

Becoming a military working dog handler can be a rewarding career pathway for individuals who have a passion for working with dogs and serving their country.

To become a military working dog handler, you typically need to enlist in the military, as these roles are generally filled by enlisted personnel. A sense of commitment, resilience, and physical fitness is essential to thrive in this line of work, and a love for animals, particularly dogs, is crucial. Once enlisted, you'll likely need to complete basic combat training (also known as boot camp) followed by an advanced individual training program, which is specific to your military occupational specialty.

What does a typical day look like? Well, a military working dog handler's day can vary greatly depending on their deployment, mission, and the needs of their assigned dog. Responsibilities might include physical conditioning of the dog, obedience training, searching for explosives or narcotics, patrolling, and detaining suspects. Animal care is also an important part of the job, including feeding, grooming, and medical care.

Is it an option worth considering after high school? Sure, if you have a passion for service, are up for the physical demands, and love working closely with dogs, it could be a satisfying and fulfilling choice. But like any career, it brings its challenges, such as the risk of injury, the difficulty of deployments, and the pressures associated with working with an animal that has been trained to perform highly specific tasks.

Being a military working dog handler can provide you with a unique set of skills, some of which can be transferred to civilian life, such as roles in law enforcement, security, or animal-related careers. So, this career path can provide both immediate and long-term opportunities.