Posted on Oct 31, 2019
1LT Kevin Bridges
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I've never been infantry, but after that Baghdadi raid where the dog chased him down, i couldn't help but wonder about the advantages that dogs have when locating a nearby enemy combatant. I remember being on LPOP's in Iraq where we were at least 1500 meters away and the dogs in the village would start barking (thus giving away our position). I can only suspect that they would be useful the other way around. I'm not even aware if our light infantry already has this capability already.
Edited >1 y ago
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MAJ Ken Landgren
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I looked this up so I can't take credit for the information. Throughout antiquity dogs were used as sentries, on patrols, and attacking enemy soldiers.
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SSG Carlos Madden
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You raise some valid points. In our recent wars the units at the tip of the spear have been living mostly out of combat outposts in austere environments for long stretches of time. It's crappy and stressful. Aside from the tactical benefit, having a dog might just be good for all around moral.
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SPC Angela Burnham
SPC Angela Burnham
>1 y
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Emotional support combat animals... I like it!
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1SG Operations Sergeant Major
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The cool guys run their own in house dog programs. The rest of us just have to request the asset from a supporting unit with the capability. It's not an capability that regular Infantry need enough of to make it fiscally worth while.
Then you have the actual employment of the dog. Tactical employment of a dog has special considerations. If the dog get tired it is pretty much worthless. So most Infantry units walk too far to take the dog with them. Not a problem when you have your own lift assets like a special operations raid.
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1LT Kevin Bridges
1LT Kevin Bridges
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Makes sense. Thanks!
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CPL Douglas Chrysler
CPL Douglas Chrysler
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My Shorthairs ran all day. I had special horses to keep the pace.
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1SG Operations Sergeant Major
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CPL Douglas Chrysler hasn't been my experience, anything over 3k or 90 degrees and the dogs were worthless. Our TTP was to leave the dog in the trucks with AC off the X until OBJ was clear, then drive the dog on.
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1SG Operations Sergeant Major
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CPL Douglas Chrysler too bad your unit wasnt supporting mine then.
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