MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT -- Borris sits at ease, calm and serene with his eyes vigilant and watchful; he playfully whimpers for the command to move. With one word, he springs into action sprinting forward and leaping on to the suspect, tenaciously biting and wrestling him to the ground during the Provost Marshal’s Office Military Working Dog demonstration July 13.
The PMO office displayed their military working dogs and handlers’ daily training for Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps from Denver and San Bernardino, Calif. They focused on scenarios involving deviant individuals who resist arrest, are compliant or aggressive and or are attempting to smuggle paraphernalia.
The JROTC Mile High Young Marines visited San Diego for tours at Camp Pendleton, the USS Midway and the depot. The PMO demonstration was a good example of an enjoyable military occupationally specialty, which was great for the students, said Scott Holland, unit commander from Aurora, Colo.
Military dogs are used to detect bombs, land mines and various other hazardous materials in combat zones and on military instillations. The valuable dogs have a scent more than 60 times stronger than humans, said Philadelphia native Sgt. Jeffrey Beck, depot assistant kennel master, PMO.
During an exhibition, the dog handlers perform and describe details of a military police officer who is qualified to handle a dog, which includes feeding, training and developing a relationship.
The dogs are treated very carefully and cautiously due to the physical harm they are capable of inflicting upon a person.
“The dogs don’t understand that the individual is doing something wrong. They believe that the entire situation is a game and the game is controlled by the master,” said Beck. “The dog’s master must have complete control of the situation and his dog. The dogs have moods just like people, and we work for them just as much as they work for us.”
Working with the dogs makes the job very enjoyable for Beck who recommends working with canines to anyone. He believes that he has one of the most enjoyable jobs in the Marine Corps and he is eager to come to work everyday.