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Military Military Dog Handlers

Military Career

General Information

Description

Military dog handlers are in charge of the basic care and training of military working dogs, which are generally used for drug interdiction, locating lost or wanted persons, or bomb-sniffing missions. They perform specialized duties in law enforcement, physical security, anti-terrorism operations, and detection of explosives and/or illicit drugs in the military community, utilizing an assigned military working dog.

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Work Environment

Military dog handlers in the military work both indoors and outdoors depending on their assignment. They may work outdoors while conducting investigations or patrolling facilities.

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Comparable Industries

  • Hospitality & Tourism

Related Military Careers

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Military Outlook

Service Branches

Jobs in this career field may be available in other service branches. Call or email a particular branch for more info.

Military Status

  • Enlisted
    • Hands-on/specialized
    • High school diploma required

Military Workforce

Military Dog Handlers in the Military

11,840

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Salary

Average Salary

$56,415

What makes up a military salary?

Military salaries include a lot more than just base pay.

They also offer:

  • Housing allowances
  • Subsistence allowances
  • Special and incentive pays
  • Cost-of-living allowances
  • Hazardous-duty pay
  • Bonuses

Learn more about what goes into a salary with the compensation estimator

Learn more about military insurance and retirement benefits

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Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • High school 44%
  • Less than high school 22%
  • Some college 16%
  • Post-secondary certificate 7%
  • Associate's degree 6%
  • Bachelor's degree 1%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Military training

All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training.  Military dog handlers will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include: Military/civil laws and jurisdictionInvestigation and evidence collection procedures and techniquesArrest and physical restraint techniquesSelf-defense and use of firearmsCrime scene processingInterpersonal communications skillsSearch/restraint and custody/control procedures Crime preventionSpecialized dog handling techniques

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Military training

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All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training.  Military dog handlers will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include:

  • Military/civil laws and jurisdiction
  • Investigation and evidence collection procedures and techniques
  • Arrest and physical restraint techniques
  • Self-defense and use of firearms
  • Crime scene processing
  • Interpersonal communications skills
  • Search/restraint and custody/control procedures
  • Crime prevention
  • Specialized dog handling techniques

Knowledge

  • Education and Training
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Psychology
  • Administrative
  • English Language

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.