Today's Marine Corps MWD Program effectively employs the latest inductive training techniques to pair highly motivated professional dog handlers with extremely intelligent breeds of dogs. This teaming of handler and dog provides an effective psychological deterrent to our adversaries while simultaneously protecting that which the Corps holds most dear: Marines and their Families. From patrolling our installations to the protection of important government officials like the President of the United States, the Marine Corps MWD program offers an unmatched level of safety and security to those in need. As technology and world situations change, the MWD program will continue to adapt and transform to meet the Marine Corps and our country’s needs. Like many before them, these dogs are heroes. They consistently demonstrate bravery under fire, saving countless lives, all with the purpose of bringing their Marines home.
Early Dog Applications
Since ancient times, humanity used dogs for the protection of life and property. From these early stages, dog training and employment continuously refines itself to produce a highly sophisticated and versatile extension of a warrior’s own senses. Even the most complex machines remain unable to duplicate the operational effectiveness of a properly trained Military Working Dog (MWD).
1940s
The Marine Corps war dog training program was initiated in 1942. The War Dog Program Activation Order stated: “The dog trainer and handler must be a good combat Marine, capable of scouting and patrolling on his own, the dog being merely the means of increasing his radius of perception.” The dogs used in this program could outclass a man in alertness despite lack of sleep, keen sense of smell, and in general condition. As training evolved, dog trainers learned to strike an effective balance between training, rest, and employment. Marine Raiders were enthusiastic over the performance of their war dogs in the Bougainville operation (Nov-Dec 1943).
1950s
As the military to expand their understanding of MWD capabilities, formalized MWD training took place at Fort Carson, Colorado. These MWD teams organized into scout dog platoons, and served during the Korean conflict for sentry duty and support of combat patrols. In 1957, MWD training moved to what is now Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. All uniformed military services within the DoD still train dogs and handlers at this location to this day.
1960 – 80s
Throughout the Vietnam Conflict, the Marine Corps used dogs with considerable success. Most of these were sentry dogs used to safeguard critical sites such as ports and airfields. Leaders then realized a new dimension in canine utilization when it came to drug detection. Detector dog teams trained and deployed to assist military police in suppressing illicit drug trafficking prevalent in Vietnam at the time. Their effectiveness led dog team assistance to expand worldwide in support of military police operations. The successful use of a dog as a sensor to detect people or illicit drugs, led to an important outgrowth from the conflict with canine research and development (R&D) efforts. These ongoing efforts initiated the first steps toward developing a more intelligent and capable MWD. The DoD expanded its training to detect a wider range of drugs and explosives. When paired with dogs additionally trained to bite, hold and release, the result was the dual-purpose MWDs employed by the modern Marine Corps.
1990 – 2000s
MWDs deployed around the globe in support of military operations such as Just Cause, Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Uphold Democracy, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. With the MWD’s unparalleled ability to detect humans, explosives, weapons, and drugs, the Marine Corps capitalized on the MWD teams’ unique utility. Whether to enhance the security of critical infrastructure, bolster force protection efforts, or support maneuver elements on patrol, the versatility of the MWD team made them a very flexible asset in a combat theater. MWD teams became a highly deployable combat multiplier that the Marine Corps employed in more dynamic ways than at any point throughout our rich history. Being modular and mobile made these teams very agile in their ability to support a multitude of missions, often on a moment’s notice. This versatility created high demand for the MWD from commanders at all echelons.
Contemporary MWD Program
The highly aggressive dog tactics of the 1960s and 1970s are long gone. Today's Marine Corps MWD Program effectively employs the latest inductive training techniques to pair highly motivated professional dog handlers with extremely intelligent breeds of dogs. This teaming of handler and dog provides an effective psychological deterrent to our adversaries while simultaneously protecting that which the Corps holds most dear: Marines and their Families. From patrolling our installations to the protection of important government officials like the President of the United States, the Marine Corps MWD program offers an unmatched level of safety and security to those in need. As technology and world situations change, the MWD program will continue to adapt and transform to meet the Marine Corps and our country’s needs. Like many before them, these dogs are heroes. They consistently demonstrate bravery under fire, saving countless lives, all with the purpose of bringing their Marines home.