Keeping the Dogs in the Fight: What Combatant Commanders Need to Know about MWDs
Abstract
The growing need to counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs) has prompted the resurgence of explosive detection military working dogs in the theater of war, and has furthered the need for an off-leash requirement to increase the standoff distance from an unexploded device to allied patrols in the area. History has provided a plethora of evidence to support continued research in the military working dog community to give Combatant Commanders the ability to have a mission-ready canine force available to counter emerging threats before casualties are incurred. This paper explains why it is necessary, although controversial, to train all DoD explosive detection dogs to the same off-leash standard to best provide Combatant Commanders the ability to protect the joint force. It further explains how differing home-station mission sets and improper program alignment promote interservice rivalry and preclude a joint solution. Finally, it offers a series of recommendations to ensure that the canine community provides combatant commanders the most capable military working dogs in the world.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 20, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA583347
Entities
People
- Sarah S. Babbitt
Organizations
- Naval War College