Recently I moved from Iowa to Indianapolis, Indiana following my girlfriend... well that just didn't work out! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

So what to do? I need a drastic change!

I decided to Join the Army! I will leave for basic sometime in June I hope and will be following up with Military Police Training.

I am interested in the possibility of eventually being a MWD handler. I would like to know more about the process of becoming a handler. (I have not found a lot of information on the Web and my recruiter didn't really anwser my questions <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> )

What are some of the Pros and Cons? I am just interested on learning some insights from current or former handlers/trainers.

MWD handler sounds like a good opportunity to learn the ropes AND get paid!!
I don’t have any info on military K9 however if a recruiter can't answer your questions (That’s his job) He should be able to find out or at least put you in touch with someone who does know.
Hats off to you for volunteering your service to our country!
Best of luck

Greg

To become an mwd you must complete basic training and then go to training for mp, and then after that you must be recomended by your sergeant, I belive. I know we have good recruiters here in Washington, try calling the bremerton recruting office, they are pretty good I hear.
Devon

Hey whats up, yeah I'm a MWD Handler all you have to do is be an mp for 2 years at the gate and on the road and then put in to be a MWD you either be nominated by your CO or not chances are you will there lacking as is the AF

Mike,
Let me start out with the cons ( I put in 21 years of active duty, so I think I know the ropes here.. ).

The first Con being.....did ya notice that we're at war?
During periods of active combat, it becomes a *lot* harder to apply for schools, even in non-combat MOS's. With the rotation of units and personnel in and out of combat zones, the Military becomes very focused on deployment of troops, and non-combat oriented training drops in priority.
So be prepared to work on your tan for at least a year overseas. MP's will have large duty assignments in Iraq for years to come.

Like Daniel said, you'll be an MP for a few years before you're eligible to apply as a K-9 handler. And the word is *apply* - if you're not a good troop, they won't bother letting you apply. If you're too good a troop, they won't want to lose you and they'll play little paper work games so that they can keep you. Think I'm kidding? You won't after you've been in for a year, believe me.
Remember, the most powerful person in the Army is not the Post Commander, it's the personnel clerk who has your paperwork! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I also was considering this route a couple of years ago.

I've heard that the AF is the way to go...well, especially for WMD handlers...but they have it MADE!!!

Anyway, the waiting list for females in the AF was about 6 months old at the time, so I decided I'd check out the army. I talked to the recruiter. Well, both of them...one was honest about everything, and the other..well...wasn't. He told me I could bring my dogs with me once I got out of basic!!! LOL yeah right. Anyway, the honest one told me how everything worked, basically exactly what Will said, minus the part about the war since it hadn't started yet. I probably would have enlisted, but then I met an army guy and ended up marrying him, so I'm now just an army wife! LOL and guess who my hubby is? The personnel guy who handles everyone's paperwork! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

If it's not too late, I'd definately check out the AF. In Korea, they get paid to live in the barracks that the army guys live in!!! They are given much better barracks and housing, and facilities (BX, commissary, etc). They have it made, at least compared to us Army folks! Plus I've heard that the MWD program is better for them, although I'm not sure how true it is. It came from a couple of handlers though, so I'd assume they'd know what they were talking about.

Pros of the AF ( Air Farce...err, Air Force ). Nice living conditions ( barracks and housing ) Usually, a fairly relaxed working envirornment. Great chow. Lots of education oportunities. Good chance of being able to use your military learned skill to earn a living on the outside.
Low risk of death or injury during wartime, unless you're a pilot.

Downside: Slow, slow promotions - very hard to make rank. Bases in some of the worst parts of the country, and/or world.
Your nice barracks or housing is usually located very close to loud, smelly aircraft ( go figure! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> )

Ahhh the Air Force, I was a member of that organization for 23 years, or as I like to call it, an alternative to military service. However, I should point out that there have been other members of the Air Force KIA besides pilots and aircrew members, and some of them were dog handlers. I don't recall my "barracks" for lack of a better term, being air conditioned in SEA. I also recall numerous bullets flying about. The great thing is, as a retired member, I still draw the same retirement check as a retired soldier or marine for the same grade. Ya gotta love it.

DFrost

im a mwd with the marinecorps well first you have to complete boot then you have to complete ait and to be a mwd you have to graduate at the top of your class plus pass an aptitude test plus be recommended by your instructor and be recomended by your company commander after all those stipulations are met then there also has to be an opening for one heres one way to sum it up its hard to get mp in the first place its even harder to get mp plus mwd

at least thats how it works in the marines