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.

USMC Military Working Dog (MWD) Program Manager

Mr. Timothy P. Timmins
Office: 703-604-4250
Cell: 571-465-6648
Email:  timothy.timmins@usmc.mil
 

USMC Military Working Dog (MWD) Operations Manager

Mr. Richard J. Landgrebe
Office: 210-671-9054
Cell: 210-291-3111
Email: richard.landgrebe.1@us.af.mil
 

USMC Military Working Dog (MWD) Program Chief

GySgt Alfred C. Nieto Jr.
Office: 703-604-0404
Cell: 703-304-1658
Email: alfred.nieto@usmc.mil
 

Official Address

Law Enforcement, Investigations, & Corrections Branch (ATTN MWD)
Marine Corps Installations Command
Installations & Logistics
Headquarters Marine Corps
655 South Courthouse Dr.
Arlington, VA 22204

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.

MCLB Albany

Commercial: 229-639-8395
 

MCLB Barstow

Commercial: 760-577-6180
 

MCAS Beaufort

Commercial: 843-228-6829
 

Camp Butler

Commercial: 011-81-723-1722
DSN: 623-1723
 

Camp Lejuene

Commercial:  910-451-3915
 

Camp Pendleton

Commercial: 760-763-7651
 

MCAS Cherry Point

Commercial:  252-466-5550

MCB Hawaii

Commercial:  808-257-6982
 

MCAS Iwakuni

Commercial:  011-081-6117-53-6211
DSN:  253-6211
 

MCAS Miramar

Commercial:  858-307-4499
 

MCB Quantico

Commercial:  703-784-2325
 

MCRD San Diego

Commercial:  619-524-5849
 

Twenty-nine Palms

Commercial:  760-830-6501
 

MCAS Yuma

Commercial:  928-269-5606

About the program

Thank you for your interest in the DoD Military Working Dog Adoption Program. The dogs available for adoption range in age from 1-12 years old and consist primarily of German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois with the occasional German Shorthaired Pointer and Labrador Retriever. The dogs in our program have either failed initial training or were retired for medical or behavioral issues that prevented them from continuing work as an MWD. Please note, some of the dogs may require special diets, lifelong medications, additional training, or may need to be in a single pet household.

Applications are processed as they are received to determine suitability for adoption. Every effort is made to pair applicants who meet all requirements with dogs that suit their home, family and lifestyle.


 

basic adoption requirements

• Prospective adopters MUST have a fence at least six feet high surrounding, at a minimum, the backyard.

• All persons living in the home MUST be at least 5 years of age or older.

• Adopters must NOT already own more than three dogs. 

• The potential adopter MUST identify a primary veterinarian and agree to provide the dog with appropriate medical care, exercise, training and companionship.

• Adopters MUST be a United States citizen.                                                   

• A leash, collar, muzzle and appropriate-sized dog crate at time of pick up for the dog.

**The dogs are high energy and will require a lot of time, attention, exercise, and patience.

application process

The process to adopt a Military Working Dog begins with an application and a reality checklist which can be requested by emailing the adoptions coordinator at MWD.Adoptions@us.af.mil. Applicants must meet all adoption requirements to be considered.

Selecting a dog: Once an application is approved, a walkthrough will be scheduled for the applicant to come to Lackland AFB to meet our available dogs. It is important that we match each dog with the best suited family so multiple visits to our facility may be required until a match is made. Once a dog is selected, pick up date can range anywhere from 5 business days to 2 months from the walkthrough date depending on the status of the selected dog. Please understand, we cannot hold a dog for an extended period.

Adoption Day: We are unable to transport or ship the dogs so travel arrangements for pick up will need to be made by the adopter and will be at the adopter’s expense. Once a pick-up date is set, adopter must bring a leash, collar, muzzle, and appropriate-sized dog crate to safely transfer the dog home. To finalize the adoption, you will be required to sign and notarize a “Covenant Not to Sue with Indemnity” agreement and complete a microchip registration prior to pick-up. You will be provided a copy of the dog’s medical records for the past six months, a few days’ worth of food, and 2 weeks’ worth of medication if applicable.

USMC POC

Mr. Richard J. Landgrebe
Office:  210-671-9054
Cell:  210-291-3111
Email:  richard.landgrebe.1@us.af.mil