http://buperscd.technology.navy.mil/bup_updt/508/NEC/MA.htm is the link that discribes it a little bit, I guess they got the program off the ground.

Thank you. I will forward the info. I knew someone would know.

This post is a little old, but let me add my two cents anyway. I suggest the A.F. I am active duty A.F. and I love it. Yes, we get treated better than all the other branches. I am currently stationed in Korea on an Army Post. It's not too bad, but the A.F. Bases are much better. And yes, we get paid more than the Army does for living here on the Army Post. Sorry, that's just how it is. I am helping the MWD handlers up at Camp Casey right know. All the handlers are Army, and some of them wish they would have come into the A.F. The MWD handlers are deployed a lot. When they are not deployed, they are in high demand and pretty much always on call. I wanted to come in as a MWD handler, but my recruiter told me about the hours and deployments. So I opted to go into a different career field. I am very happy with the job that I have (Satellite, Wideband communications and Telemetry Systems). I really enjoy helping the handlers out, and they sure appreciate the extra arm for their dogs to bite.

DFrost,

Did you know a K-9 instructor at Lackland by the name of TSgt Jed Smith (AF)? I was at Lackland around 2000-2001 and I met and hunted on Medina with Jed. He is a great guy. I believe he instructed in the scent detection field.

Chris,

I retired from the dog school in 1988. I don't know him. Medina is a great place to hunt though. Also a few great fishing holes if you know where to look. Most of the guys I worked with have also retired. Many are still in canine jobs with Customs, Secret Service or TSA.

DFrost

Michael,
1) If it is not too late, figure out which posts (Will, maybe you know?) actually have MWD training programs, and get assignment to that post in your contract BEFORE you go to basic. Every post has MP's, but not all of them have MWD units and/or training programs. If you don't go to one of those posts, your opportunity to get into the program during your first enlistment will be effectively zero. If you do end up at a post with the program, great, but KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT ABOUT DOING IT for at least the first six months if not the first year you are an MP. Nobody wants the brand new private in a unit to start asking for transfers and special treatment. That is a fast track to NOT getting what you want by annoying your buddies and your chain of command. Once you are not the FNG (other new guys have come in) and you have established some credibility as a guy who is part of the team and does good work, then you will be in position to start looking for a lateral move to MWD. This is going to take several field problems or a long deployment to occur. Also get to know the guys over there in the MWD unit, and have them let you know when they are looking for more guys to come in, due to PCS or ETS of guys in the unit. The time to ask to go is when there is a slot for you to go to.

2) Will is absolutely right about performance punishment - if you do well (which you should want to do) most 1SG's will not want to lose you. Despite the comments about the PAC clerks with power, your 1SG is the guy who when he says "sh*t" everybody in the company squats and makes grunting noises (at least if he's any good). The way to get around this is be the best troop you can until your reenlistment window opens up (if you have a 3 year contract this will happen at 25 months in) and tell the reenlistment NCO you want to reenlist but ONLY if you get into the MWD program. Since 1990, I have never seen a guy who asked for something when he reenlisted not get it if he was qualified to do it.

3) About the Air Force. All I know is that in 1990/91, I was a M60 gunner in 2/75 at Ft Lewis. In 16 years, bar none, the 75th Ranger Rgt has the best food in the Army, for the rare occasions when we were actually out of the field long enough to get a meal. Without fail, if we had the time, my squad would pile into a truck and drive to McCord AFB to eat in their enlisted mess hall (which the AF guys there thought was barely edible) because the food was so much better than ours. I guess fixing airplanes and picking FOD off of runways turns guys into gourmets.

4) About the Marine Corps. From my observations, if you think promotion is slow in the Air Force, take a look at the Marines. Holy Toledo! Making E4 in the Marines is a big deal, while in the Army not so much (this is not necessarily a good thing for the Army) I have also noticed that lateral transfers in the Corps are much more difficult than in other services, and the food is really lousy (they come to Army posts to eat our chow). However, hats off to the service of such intelligence that they have mastered the incredibly tricky tactical maneuver of frontal assault. Flank? Who needs to flank? Why should we go through the woods and cut the wire when there is a perfectly serviceable 300m open area covered by machine guns, claymores, and registered mortars for us to charge across? Semper Fi! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Good luck to you!

Micheal,

Join the Air Force!!! You will get treated much better. All the hooaahh stuff is fun for a while, but you get tired of it, fast! Especially when you see the A.F. working smarter, not harder and getting paid the same if not more. I am active duty A.F. and I am stationed on an Army post. The Dining Facility here on the post is "sub-standard" so we do get paid more than the Army does. Plus, they are out in the field more often, we have nicer living facilities, and..... The list goes on and on. You wouldn't believe how many Army people I hear asking how they can "Cross into the Blue". It is getting hard for this to happen. The Army has a very important role in the fight against terrorism. I don't nock the Army and their mission, but the A.F. will treat you better! Hands down. You can go do the cop thing for a few years then cross into K-9. Lackland AFB, TX is a nice place!! Good luck in whatever decision you choose and God bless you for serving your country.

I will get off my "recruiter" soap box. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

SSgt Knappenberger

PS- I am not a recruiter. My job is Satellite, Wideband and Telemetry Systems

I couldn't tell you the quality of the LEO or MWD programs of the Navy, but all my brothers where in either USA, USAF,or USMC. I was the only one that went Navy. I Stayed for twenty. all my brothers got out or where "told to leave"
I would not trade my Navy career for any other service. As for quality of life issues, that is definatly a personal issue. I would lose my mind if I was stationed at some remote B52 base for most my career. I don't care how great the NCO clubs and the bowling allies are. I had to travel and see it all. Most the ports we went to where major cities and resort areas. You guys can keep your tents and MRE's <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

(hehehehehehe,LOL)
Dennis, you squid you, LOL!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I read a story about an Air Force COL going from Andrews AFB to Germany somewhere. His C-141 stopped in Iceland for refueling and to get the toilet pumped out. The COL is on a time schedule and lickety split the refueling is done. Then the bird sits on the ground for 45 minutes because no one can find the toilet guy or his truck. 45 minutes later, the toilet truck appears over the horizon and slowly pulls up to the plane. The COL, by this time mightily pissed, gets off the plane and confronts the private who is taking his own sweet time uncoiling his hoses and getting ready to start the job. The COL rants and raves for a minute, while the private just slouches and basically ignores him. Finally, the COL blows his top. "Private," he says "I am a COL in the US Air Force, you are a private who can barely do his job, and while I am reprimanding you not once have you come to attention, said sir, or shown any military courtesy whatesoever. On top of that, you were 45 minutes late to do your job. Do you have any idea what I can do to you for so many infractions of job performance and attitude?!!"

This seems to wake the private up. He stops what he is doing, turns around, and looks the COL in the eye. "Sir," he says "I am a PV1 stationed in Iceland sucking shit out of airplanes. How much worse can you make it?" The COL draws his breath for a reply, lets it out, and then turns and gets back on the plane without saying a word.

Off we go, into the wild blue yonder. Fly Air Force!