What is being Air Force Security Forces -really- like?

[ERD]

Hi :) My name is Emily. I'm thinking about joining the Air Force because I want to become an MWD (Military Working Dog) K-9 Handler.. I know you have to be AFSC 3P0 Security Forces for 24 months TIS, have skill level 5 & be at least an A1C.

Currently I'm a freshman in college & enrolled in Army ROTC. I joined b/c I want to get in top shape, I don't plan on becoming an Army officer... I want to enlist in the AF.

I'm posting this because I want to know what this job is really like? I've read so many different opinions of SF personnel online & I'd like to be enlightened by the people who have the job now. I've heard things like:
"It's the worst job in the AF.."
"Horrible hours.."
"No holidays.."
"You stand at gates all day or in front of planes.."
"Other AF personnel don't respect you, like they respect other branches Military Police..."

Is it really that bad? I know that being a dog handler is maybe one of the best jobs but what will the 2 or 3 years be like before I get the chance to train into K-9?

Basically I want to get the best information about the job before I enlist. I don't want to regret it... Thank you so much for info about what it's really like?

What is the schedule like?
Are SF personnel tight-knit?
(If you are AFSF) Do you like your job? Would you do it again?

Also, if you are a K-9 handler or you know much about it, I would love to have more information on how exactly to become a MWD handler.. Thanks again :)

I know this question is sort of vague& I apoligize, I'm just looking for some advice from people who have the job..

[FLAPS]

Hi :) Currently I'm a freshman in college & enrolled in Army ROTC. I joined b/c I want to get in top shape, I don't plan on becoming an Army officer... I want to enlist in the AF.


Have you thought about staying in college and switching over to Air Force ROTC? While I can't speak from experience about being a Security Forces person, I can tell you as an officer with 11 years prior enlisted service that you are better off in the long run by staying in school and getting your commission. The Air Force recruiter may tell you that you can go to school while enlisted, but that is a tough road to take...especially in a career field like Security Forces where you will be working many different shifts, plus frequent deployments.

Perhaps you can finish school and become a Security Forces officer? Immediately following your commissioning you will earn about the same as a SSgt who has been in for 8 years. In only four years time you'll be a Captain making more than a SMSgt with 20 years in. Not that money should be your only motivator, but as a young officer you will also be in a leadership position working side by side with MSgts-CMSgts. However, if you enlist it will take you a decade or more to be in a leadership position that comes anywhere close to this level of responsibility. And just think, in only 11 years of service you'll most likely become a commander of your own Security Forces squadron leading an outstanding enlisted force, many of whom will have close to 30 years in service... Something to think about!

[takthekak]

I have worked with hundreds of SF personnel and I believe it seems like
K-9 handlers did love their jobs. The issue is everything else that goes along
with it. Have you considered civilian jobs that involve dog handling?
I suppose you want to be enlisted becuase you want to work for a living
and I can respect that, I just think if you stay and finish your degree, why
would you join when there are so many other choices; FBI, local
law enforcement, etc...just my thoughts

[kvnhlstd]

First off find someone on here that his a K-9 handler and loves their job... then talk to them via email. But whatever you do, do not listen to all the haters on this forum. Talking to any other dream killer on this forum would be a mistake. That said I did 22 years as a law Enforcement troop and retired with a line number for senior... Thats right folks I used the words "troop and Senior in the same sentence". I loved everyday of my career. Their is a lot of negative people on here, again don't listen... find a puppy pusher and get the real scoop on the job.

[FLAPS]

But whatever you do, do not listen to all the haters on this forum. Talking to any other dream killer on this forum would be a mistake.

Of the few people who posted, including myself, I fail to see evidence of this "hate" you're referring to. What's up?

[AFKILO7]

he/she could be referring to Silver Fox or myself...I can be a little abrasive.

I'm a MWD Handler if you would like to PM me and ask questions please do.

[deadpool980]

your experience realy depends on your base. also yeah the hours suck but your probly not gonna be on a gate thats mostly civilians and be prepared for some bs if you do come in

[ERD]

I have worked with hundreds of SF personnel and I believe it seems like
K-9 handlers did love their jobs. The issue is everything else that goes along
with it. Have you considered civilian jobs that involve dog handling?
I suppose you want to be enlisted becuase you want to work for a living
and I can respect that, I just think if you stay and finish your degree, why
would you join when there are so many other choices; FBI, local
law enforcement, etc...just my thoughts

Hi :) Thanks for the reply, I want to enlist b/c I think being in the military is something I want to experience. (I think it will be fun) Sure I could get a Criminal Justice degree & become a cop then a K-9 Handler but.. I really don't want just to "get a job" & work for the rest of my life. I want to travel & do something adventurous. I do want to "work" though, I thought about AFROTC & becoming an officer but I decided I didn't want to be the one telling someone else what to do.. I wanted to be the one doing & doing it, no matter the pay difference.

I'm thinking join the AF, few years, become a MWD handler, re-enlist once or twice, then get out & make a career out of K-9.. maybe CIA or FBI but I definitely want to join the military first.

[ERD]

Have you thought about staying in college and switching over to Air Force ROTC? While I can't speak from experience about being a Security Forces person, I can tell you as an officer with 11 years prior enlisted service that you are better off in the long run by staying in school and getting your commission. The Air Force recruiter may tell you that you can go to school while enlisted, but that is a tough road to take...especially in a career field like Security Forces where you will be working many different shifts, plus frequent deployments.

Perhaps you can finish school and become a Security Forces officer? Immediately following your commissioning you will earn about the same as a SSgt who has been in for 8 years. In only four years time you'll be a Captain making more than a SMSgt with 20 years in. Not that money should be your only motivator, but as a young officer you will also be in a leadership position working side by side with MSgts-CMSgts. However, if you enlist it will take you a decade or more to be in a leadership position that comes anywhere close to this level of responsibility. And just think, in only 11 years of service you'll most likely become a commander of your own Security Forces squadron leading an outstanding enlisted force, many of whom will have close to 30 years in service... Something to think about!

Originally I -was- going to join AFROTC but unfortunately it is 2 hours away & I would have to commute by train to be there for 6:30 PT.. basically it wasn't practical & also I want to enlist, money doesn't matter to me. I'm joining to have fun & serve. Thanks for the reply!

[ERD]

your experience realy depends on your base. also yeah the hours suck but your probly not gonna be on a gate thats mostly civilians and be prepared for some bs if you do come in

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I could see how the base your at would determine a lot... I would definitely be interested in a high-speed squadron like the 820th SF at Moody... One of my dreams is to go to Airborne school & I hear a lot of ppl who are in the 820th get the chance to go.

[ERD]

he/she could be referring to Silver Fox or myself...I can be a little abrasive.

I'm a MWD Handler if you would like to PM me and ask questions please do.

lol "I can be a little abrasive... feel free to PM me!" :P Awesome, thank you. As I get a little closer to joining (I'm going to stay in school for a year or so) I'll be sure to ask you some questions thanks again.

[takthekak]

Hi :) Thanks for the reply, I want to enlist b/c I think being in the military is something I want to experience. (I think it will be fun) Sure I could get a Criminal Justice degree & become a cop then a K-9 Handler but.. I really don't want just to "get a job" & work for the rest of my life. I want to travel & do something adventurous. I do want to "work" though, I thought about AFROTC & becoming an officer but I decided I didn't want to be the one telling someone else what to do.. I wanted to be the one doing & doing it, no matter the pay difference.

I'm thinking join the AF, few years, become a MWD handler, re-enlist once or twice, then get out & make a career out of K-9.. maybe CIA or FBI but I definitely want to join the military first.

Well you certainly have a great attitude and perspective on things, that is good to see.
Sounds like a solid plan, just be aware of what could happen and I do not mean this to
sound negative, just don't think of the stars alligning in your head. What I mean is, yes you can travel,
see the world, get great experiences....then again, I see people everyday who are at Minot or XXX
base, as their first base and they are here for years...I am sure you are thinking of all the great bases and places, just keep in mind their our others out there which you may get. Which leads me to my other though, did you check into the Guard or Reserve? Do they offer the K-9 and is it a shorter career path? The military does not have a 1 or 2 year trial period. Be prepared to sign up for 4 to 6 years of your life. I have friends who went Guard and Reserve back around '96 and they love it...They have great local jobs and get to do their military jobs and do 2 weeks overseas. Most people join up active for school or other reasons, some do 4 years and get out, others take it one 4 year strech at a time...If you can string together 5, 4 year stretches, you pass GO and collect a retirement check the rest of your life. Best of luck!

[Silver Fox]

First off find someone on here that his a K-9 handler and loves their job... then talk to them via email. But whatever you do, do not listen to all the haters on this forum. Talking to any other dream killer on this forum would be a mistake. That said I did 22 years as a law Enforcement troop and retired with a line number for senior... Thats right folks I used the words "troop and Senior in the same sentence". I loved everyday of my career. Their is a lot of negative people on here, again don't listen... find a puppy pusher and get the real scoop on the job.

My response towards prospective cops depends entirely on their mindset.

I lash know-it-alls severely, as they're going to have the hardeset time in training. I also lash idiots that think this is the infantry and idiots that think we're top notch law enforcement. I'm relatively kind to moderately realistic expectations and signs someone did their homework, such as in this case.



As to the original posters concerns:
Hours are long.
Deployments are frequent, more so if your'e K-9. Then again, they're either far shittier or far easier than the majority of regular cops.
K-9 sections are pretty tight knit, regular flights are far less so, and sometimes not at all.
There's a lot of b.s. to get into K-9. A lot of people WANT to go K-9, but only a certain amount go. Once you get to your squadron befriend the K-9 guys and kiss the kennel master's ass a lot.
Be prepared to get bitten. It will happen. It's not "if" it's "when".
As a female, be prepared for a lot of hostility.

My advice: Stay Army ROTC or switch to Airforce ROTC and commission..... OR....
Join the Air Force, become a K-9 handler and punch out to be a civillian K-9 the first chance you get.
Do NOT sign up for six. Go four.

[ERD]

My response towards prospective cops depends entirely on their mindset.
As to the original posters concerns:
Hours are long.
Deployments are frequent, more so if your'e K-9. Then again, they're either far shittier or far easier than the majority of regular cops.
K-9 sections are pretty tight knit, regular flights are far less so, and sometimes not at all.
There's a lot of b.s. to get into K-9. A lot of people WANT to go K-9, but only a certain amount go. Once you get to your squadron befriend the K-9 guys and kiss the kennel master's ass a lot.
Be prepared to get bitten. It will happen. It's not "if" it's "when".
As a female, be prepared for a lot of hostility.

My advice: Stay Army ROTC or switch to Airforce ROTC and commission..... OR....
Join the Air Force, become a K-9 handler and punch out to be a civillian K-9 the first chance you get.
Do NOT sign up for six. Go four.

Thank you for the information. I appreciate it. I'm pretty sure I don't want to be an officer, I definitely will do anything I can to get into K-9 if it means hanging out at the kennels, fine, awesome, I'd probably be doing that anyway, I love dogs... Other than that, I'm certainly not afraid to get bit & frequent deployment is sort of what I'm looking for.
Thanks again. I really think this job is exactly what I'm looking for.

[Silver Fox]

Thank you for the information. I appreciate it. I'm pretty sure I don't want to be an officer, I definitely will do anything I can to get into K-9 if it means hanging out at the kennels, fine, awesome, I'd probably be doing that anyway, I love dogs... Other than that, I'm certainly not afraid to get bit & frequent deployment is sort of what I'm looking for.
Thanks again. I really think this job is exactly what I'm looking for.

Then best of luck.

The best cops are generally K-9. Seriously, K-9 is the one prestigious thing there is in this job. Other positions in this career field are a lot of hot air and b.s., but our K-9 is pretty much respected nationwide and servicewide, and get tapped to support the Army, Marines, Navy and Secret Service because they know we're the best. You'll find a lot of good people there, just not many anywhere else in the job. ;)

Stay on your toes and always watch your ass.

Oh, one FINAL thing.... if you make it a career, know that eventually you'll have to give up that leash to be a regular cop again. Which is why I suggest doing 4, getting trained and getting out, so you don't get swallowed up in admin duties and can actually remain a handler. E-6 handlers are rare. E-7's nonexistant. Promotion rates get bigger and bigger all the time, so if you make everything the first time around, you can expect to be a handler for about 4 - 6 years tops out of a minimum 20...... some folks purposely throw their tests so they can stay handlers, but there's no money in that (and some, genuinely can't take a WAPS test... I have no idea how.... it's easy as hell). So get trained and punch out and be a civillian handler.

[ERD]

How do you actually "apply" to cross train into K-9? I mean once you are an A1C, 5-skill, & >24 TIS how exactly do you go about getting into MWD? I guess I don't have to worry about that right now but I'm just curious..
If you get denied the first time, when can you try again?

[Silver Fox]

How do you actually "apply" to cross train into K-9? I mean once you are an A1C, 5-skill, & >24 TIS how exactly do you go about getting into MWD? I guess I don't have to worry about that right now but I'm just curious..
If you get denied the first time, when can you try again?

You have to put in a package, IIRC the kennel master has to endorse it, then your SF Manager (E-9) and Commander. Which is why I say kiss the kennel master's ass, if he doesn't like you.... odds are you won't get a shot to go until he leaves, which could be 4 years or longer.

Luckily, there's always a shortage of handlers, so just befriend the K-9 folks, get along with the kennel master, and do your job as an airman (no one wants to train a dirtbag A1C into a dirtbag handler...) as long as you have a good reputation, the handlers like you, and the kennelmaster likes you.... everything else will pretty much take care of itself.

Get wrap certified as soon as you can, so you can start working with the dogs. Catching dog bites, in my opinion, is fun as all hell.

I keep adding stuff, I know, but I want to give you as much info as I can.

-You lose days off as a cop for training, you lose more days off as a K-9 for the same training the regular joes do plus K-9 training. be prepared for that. Sometimes you fall under flight supervision, and sometimes you have your own section. Hope you have your own section. If you're assigned to flight that means you have all the duties of a handler AND a supervisor, which is a royal pain in the ass. If you have your own section, you gotta worry about you and your pup, and that's it. If you don't have your own section it also means you have a lot of bosses. Your flight supervisor, the flight chief, the kennel master, etc. etc. etc. And they all want 100% of your time, which means you're in the middle of lots of pissing contests between your superiors.

-When you deploy, you'll always have an airconditioned vehicle. :) Everyone will be jealous as hell about this.

-When on duty, if your base has good manning you'll be a specifically assigned K-9 patrol, meaning you do pretty much K-9 patrols, and for the most part whatever you want. This is good. If flight manning is bad, then you're doing all the normal cop stuff, plus K-9 patrols, which means you gotta check on all your stagnant posts and take care of airman's chow and stuff.... this also, is a royal pain in the ass if you're K-9 and makes for a very busy day.

[ERD]

You have to put in a package, IIRC the kennel master has to endorse it, then your SF Manager (E-9) and Commander. Which is why I say kiss the kennel master's ass, if he doesn't like you.... odds are you won't get a shot to go until he leaves, which could be 4 years or longer.

Luckily, there's always a shortage of handlers, so just befriend the K-9 folks, get along with the kennel master, and do your job as an airman (no one wants to train a dirtbag A1C into a dirtbag handler...) as long as you have a good reputation, the handlers like you, and the kennelmaster likes you.... everything else will pretty much take care of itself.

Get wrap certified as soon as you can, so you can start working with the dogs. Catching dog bites, in my opinion, is fun as all hell.

Ok thank you so much again haha "Luckily, there's always a shortage of handlers" that is a relief...

And also.. I SO WANT TO GET IN A BITE SUIT! I'll volunteer.

[takthekak]

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123162753
http://www.af.mil/news/video/index.asp?cid=3&sid=8158
http://www.af.mil/news/video/index.asp?cid=3&sid=7344
http://community-2.webtv.net/Hahn-50thAP-K9/K9History10/
http://www.usmilitary.com/2785/air-force-k9-dog-handler-careers/

[Michaep]

LOL Silver Fox...."As K9 youll always have an air conditioned vehicle when you deploy"........wait...you mean like those HMMWV's where the A/C didnt work and those K9 dudes still went out with their dogs???

Yeah, i heard about that A/C "rule"

[Michaep]

kvnhlstd:......"puppy pusher".....haha thats awesome.....makes the angry K9's seem so sweet and innocent like a family of cute cuddly little puppies :) awww

[BlueDevilRN]

I was a K9 cop as prior enlisted (and I'm a girl) and I loved it. My base was awful, but that was just the base.

Of course, I was in so long ago I was a pipeline K9 handler - went straight from Lackland to Medina.

I had awesome deployments with US Customs and the Secret Service, saw the Pope in St Louis, shook Bill Clinton's hand by Air Force One at JFK Intl Airport, met Ted Kennedy and Al Gore when Gore was campaigning back in 2000 in Iowa. Deployed to PSAB twice, once as Tent City and once after the base was hardened (which blew, BTW; Tent City was much much better IMHO - that place never slept). Yes, the day-to-day drudge got to be too much sometimes, and yes, many times I felt certain things occurred either in or not in my favor because I was female, but in general it wasn't a horrible experience. We fell under flight at my base, and I agree, I'm sure when you're your own section it's so much better (pulling security detail with a dog blows big time, especially on a training base).

Had the first drug bust on my base in five years as a green handler - literally, I'd been certified about two months and was out doing building and parking lot checks with an augmentee - scared the crap out of me when my dog sat...and you can imagine how proud I was of us when it was a good sit!!!

If you're single, and you want to travel, K9 is (or at least it was) a great way to do it. One year I think I was home for three, maybe four months, between TDYs and deployments, and I loved it. But please base the traveling and the deployment outlook (you'll see folks talk about 'ops tempo') on what current handlers tell you.

I do think that K9 is one of the best things about security forces (OK, I'm biased, I think it's the best thing about security forces). There were plenty of things about the career field I didn't like (and looking at these boards it does seem as though some things never change), but there are things about it I miss - I miss the camaraderie - for the most part I felt surrounded by guys I consider my brothers, and they were very accepting of me as a female. Oh, there were some losers and naysayers, but they're everywhere, and not always just because you're a girl. I knew that if I ever needed anything, I had plenty of guys (with guns!) who'd back me up...sometimes it was quite handy...

I miss getting dolled up in a suit and working with the US Secret Service.

I miss walking into work and being told, "You're going to Australia next week in support of the Vice President". Another fave: "You're going to New York in two weeks for the UN Drug Summit and you're staying in the Doubletree in Midtown Manhattan".

I miss the guys I used to work with at the search posts in Saudi. You used to meet a lot of different people as a cop.

I miss my dogs - all five of them. They're all gone now.

I miss the way you'd be having a crappy shift and suddenly your dog would wake up and stick his big head on your shoulder and sigh, or lick your face. I miss going into the kennels and getting your dog in the morning and the way he/she'd greet you - that made all the BS worth it.

I miss showing up at a scene at three a.m. when you're the on call handler and knowing you were specifically called there because you're the only person who can do the job, because Fido's gonna find the explosives that Airman Snuffy hid in his garage (true story) or the pot that some idiot has hidden in the ceiling (another true story).

I liked talking to kids and explaining what my dog could do - K9 is great PR for the cops, and not just with kids, but with the base community and sometimes the greater community outside the gate. We worked with the local police department more than once.

I have a lot of respect for the cops, and I'm proud to say I was one of them. I'm a nurse now, and am going back into Active Duty in October, and you can bet I'll have no problems (if my commander and the kennel master says it's ok) letting the K9s get a bite out of an LT - I really do think I'm going to miss it. (And you can bet the handlers will love it.)

As I said, there were days I hated it - despised it - would have done almost anything to get out of it - but I don't regret doing it. (And I swapped in basic to get that job - I had sky-high ASVABs but swapped b/c this chick who'd screwed up her ankle ended up with Law Enforcement, and I knew from my TI, a cop, that LE = K9 = traveling, which was what I wanted to do. So I convinced her she'd never make it through the police academy with that ankle of hers and swapped for her job.)

**Just a thought, Emily - keep in mind that folks on this board come here to vent, and some are quite blunt about it (even though Silver Fox and Kilo7 have posted some serious classics IMO) - but that's the purpose of the board, a place to get stuff out of your system.

And now I'm going to sit back and let all the hard-asses :) on here blast me for being sentimental.

[AFKILO7]

I was a K9 cop as prior enlisted (and I'm a girl) and I loved it. My base was awful, but that was just the base.

Of course, I was in so long ago I was a pipeline K9 handler - went straight from Lackland to Medina.

I had awesome deployments with US Customs and the Secret Service, saw the Pope in St Louis, shook Bill Clinton's hand by Air Force One at JFK Intl Airport, met Ted Kennedy and Al Gore when Gore was campaigning back in 2000 in Iowa. Deployed to PSAB twice, once as Tent City and once after the base was hardened (which blew, BTW; Tent City was much much better IMHO - that place never slept). Yes, the day-to-day drudge got to be too much sometimes, and yes, many times I felt certain things occurred either in or not in my favor because I was female, but in general it wasn't a horrible experience. We fell under flight at my base, and I agree, I'm sure when you're your own section it's so much better (pulling security detail with a dog blows big time, especially on a training base).

Had the first drug bust on my base in five years as a green handler - literally, I'd been certified about two months and was out doing building and parking lot checks with an augmentee - scared the crap out of me when my dog sat...and you can imagine how proud I was of us when it was a good sit!!!

If you're single, and you want to travel, K9 is (or at least it was) a great way to do it. One year I think I was home for three, maybe four months, between TDYs and deployments, and I loved it. But please base the traveling and the deployment outlook (you'll see folks talk about 'ops tempo') on what current handlers tell you.

I do think that K9 is one of the best things about security forces (OK, I'm biased, I think it's the best thing about security forces). There were plenty of things about the career field I didn't like (and looking at these boards it does seem as though some things never change), but there are things about it I miss - I miss the camaraderie - for the most part I felt surrounded by guys I consider my brothers, and they were very accepting of me as a female. Oh, there were some losers and naysayers, but they're everywhere, and not always just because you're a girl. I knew that if I ever needed anything, I had plenty of guys (with guns!) who'd back me up...sometimes it was quite handy...

I miss getting dolled up in a suit and working with the US Secret Service.

I miss walking into work and being told, "You're going to Australia next week in support of the Vice President". Another fave: "You're going to New York in two weeks for the UN Drug Summit and you're staying in the Doubletree in Midtown Manhattan".

I miss the guys I used to work with at the search posts in Saudi. You used to meet a lot of different people as a cop.

I miss my dogs - all five of them. They're all gone now.

I miss the way you'd be having a crappy shift and suddenly your dog would wake up and stick his big head on your shoulder and sigh, or lick your face. I miss going into the kennels and getting your dog in the morning and the way he/she'd greet you - that made all the BS worth it.

I miss showing up at a scene at three a.m. when you're the on call handler and knowing you were specifically called there because you're the only person who can do the job, because Fido's gonna find the explosives that Airman Snuffy hid in his garage (true story) or the pot that some idiot has hidden in the ceiling (another true story).

I liked talking to kids and explaining what my dog could do - K9 is great PR for the cops, and not just with kids, but with the base community and sometimes the greater community outside the gate. We worked with the local police department more than once.

I have a lot of respect for the cops, and I'm proud to say I was one of them. I'm a nurse now, and am going back into Active Duty in October, and you can bet I'll have no problems (if my commander and the kennel master says it's ok) letting the K9s get a bite out of an LT - I really do think I'm going to miss it. (And you can bet the handlers will love it.)

As I said, there were days I hated it - despised it - would have done almost anything to get out of it - but I don't regret doing it. (And I swapped in basic to get that job - I had sky-high ASVABs but swapped b/c this chick who'd screwed up her ankle ended up with Law Enforcement, and I knew from my TI, a cop, that LE = K9 = traveling, which was what I wanted to do. So I convinced her she'd never make it through the police academy with that ankle of hers and swapped for her job.)

**Just a thought, Emily - keep in mind that folks on this board come here to vent, and some are quite blunt about it (even though Silver Fox and Kilo7 have posted some serious classics IMO) - but that's the purpose of the board, a place to get stuff out of your system.

And now I'm going to sit back and let all the hard-asses :) on here blast me for being sentimental.

BlueDevil and Silver Fox have really done a great job in describing some aspects about the job. I can relate with BlueDevil 100%, she is right there are days that I have been ready to drop leash. But those days are few and far between! K9 has been the best decision for me in my career, hands down. I have never been happier going to work, I have been lucky and been in kennels that had their own section. Meaning that I wasn't attached to a certainflight. Some Op Supts have a clue, and some just sit in their office and lick the screen of their computer monitor.

The hours are long, especially when you deploy and/or go TDY to support Department of State or USSS. But it is FUN! The people you will work with are some of the best people in the world, we all talk shit to each other and give one another all types of hell. But the bound we have couldn't be touched by anyone else.

My time in K9 is unfortunately coming to an end, I will make Tech next year (I have purposefully tried not to make it for the past 4 years) and then a year or so as a Trainer or KM then I will try to Crosstrain. Being a regular cop just isn't for me anymore. I wish you the best of luck!

[Michaep]

BlueDevil: I'm not going to blast you.....you actually seem cool and have a good head on your shoulders

[Silver Fox]

LOL Silver Fox...."As K9 youll always have an air conditioned vehicle when you deploy"........wait...you mean like those HMMWV's where the A/C didnt work and those K9 dudes still went out with their dogs???

Yeah, i heard about that A/C "rule"

When there's no other choice, absolutely, that goes without saying. :rolleyes:

You're definitely a cop. No doubt in my mind now.

[smarg]

Hi :) My name is Emily. I'm thinking about joining the Air Force because I want to become an MWD (Military Working Dog) K-9 Handler.. I know you have to be AFSC 3P0 Security Forces for 24 months TIS, have skill level 5 & be at least an A1C.

Currently I'm a freshman in college & enrolled in Army ROTC. I joined b/c I want to get in top shape, I don't plan on becoming an Army officer... I want to enlist in the AF.

I'm posting this because I want to know what this job is really like? I've read so many different opinions of SF personnel online & I'd like to be enlightened by the people who have the job now. I've heard things like:
"It's the worst job in the AF.."
"Horrible hours.."
"No holidays.."
"You stand at gates all day or in front of planes.."
"Other AF personnel don't respect you, like they respect other branches Military Police..."

Is it really that bad? I know that being a dog handler is maybe one of the best jobs but what will the 2 or 3 years be like before I get the chance to train into K-9?

Basically I want to get the best information about the job before I enlist. I don't want to regret it... Thank you so much for info about what it's really like?

What is the schedule like?
Are SF personnel tight-knit?
(If you are AFSF) Do you like your job? Would you do it again?

Also, if you are a K-9 handler or you know much about it, I would love to have more information on how exactly to become a MWD handler.. Thanks again :)

I know this question is sort of vague& I apoligize, I'm just looking for some advice from people who have the job..

Stay in college and get your degree. Enlisting in one of the most taxed and depressed career fields the Air Force has to offer is not the answer to getting in "top shape". If you want to be an Air Force SF officer, then get your degree and apply for OTS if you can't do it by ROTC. If you want to handle dogs that work law enforcement issues then get your degree in criminal justice and work apply to the FBI, DEA, or U.S. Marshal Service, or even a state or local police force.

[FLAPS]

Originally I -was- going to join AFROTC but unfortunately it is 2 hours away & I would have to commute by train to be there for 6:30 PT.. basically it wasn't practical & also I want to enlist, money doesn't matter to me. I'm joining to have fun & serve. Thanks for the reply!

Good luck with your plans. There are plenty of people who enlist and absolutely love what they do. Just continue your education when you can so you will have more career options later in life.

[60triggerman]

Absolutely continue your education, but enlisting has been a great choice for me. I spent 6 years in maintenance before the Air Force afforded me the oppurtunity to become a "killer" ;) Gunner. I have quite a few cop friends and 2 of which are K-9 Handlers. The K-9 handlers love there job, as do the other guys on ocassion;). I volunteer and enjoy being the bite dummy when time allows! The K-9 handlers I've befriended have been some of the most professional Air Force troops I've encountered. Good luck with your next step.

[takthekak]

There's another good video at www.af.mil, in the video section there's a military
working dog video posted today Sept 8, 2009.

[Michaep]

When there's no other choice, absolutely, that goes without saying. :rolleyes:

You're definitely a cop. No doubt in my mind now.

Think what you'd like, silversurfer :)

[silkywilky]

he/she could be referring to Silver Fox or myself...I can be a little abrasive.

I'm a MWD Handler if you would like to PM me and ask questions please do.

Hey, I am currently looking into getting into the Air Force as a dog handler. I would like to ask you a few questions about your expierences, assignments and deployments and stuff if you don't mind.

My main question is, once you are a dog handler, are you always a handler for that particular dog or will it change, the dogs I mean? How deos assignments work? If you get PCS'd, does the dog go with you or do you get assigned a new dog or do you sometimes move to another postion of the SF?

Any information you would like to share would be greatly appreciated, thanks,

paul

[silkywilky]

LOL Silver Fox...."As K9 youll always have an air conditioned vehicle when you deploy"........wait...you mean like those HMMWV's where the A/C didnt work and those K9 dudes still went out with their dogs???

Yeah, i heard about that A/C "rule"

That is funny, soo funny. Being prior service army, I can relate to such things as, getting told, "oh yea you will have this or you will have that and it all turns out to be plain bogus, lol

Althoug I say funny but I figured it true due to the fact that, the a/c would be much needed I would think for the dogs, to keep them running in their roles and stuff.

[silkywilky]

BlueDevil and Silver Fox have really done a great job in describing some aspects about the job. I can relate with BlueDevil 100%, she is right there are days that I have been ready to drop leash. But those days are few and far between! K9 has been the best decision for me in my career, hands down. I have never been happier going to work, I have been lucky and been in kennels that had their own section. Meaning that I wasn't attached to a certainflight. Some Op Supts have a clue, and some just sit in their office and lick the screen of their computer monitor.

The hours are long, especially when you deploy and/or go TDY to support Department of State or USSS. But it is FUN! The people you will work with are some of the best people in the world, we all talk shit to each other and give one another all types of hell. But the bound we have couldn't be touched by anyone else.

My time in K9 is unfortunately coming to an end, I will make Tech next year (I have purposefully tried not to make it for the past 4 years) and then a year or so as a Trainer or KM then I will try to Crosstrain. Being a regular cop just isn't for me anymore. I wish you the best of luck!

I really enjoy what you and bluedevil have written, all the information you both put here is great.
I am prior service myself and am wanting to come back to active duty but just not in the army. No offense to the army but certain things are not for everyone and the army, as proud as I am for my 7 years, it is no longer for me though.

I have one question though. To be a dog handler, is there a certain time limit, like I mean is it only permited for something like E-4's to E-5 or 6 ?

Thanks for you posting.

Paul

[NFCstang]

Hi :) Thanks for the reply, I want to enlist b/c I think being in the military is something I want to experience. (I think it will be fun) Sure I could get a Criminal Justice degree & become a cop then a K-9 Handler but.. I really don't want just to "get a job" & work for the rest of my life. I want to travel & do something adventurous. I do want to "work" though, I thought about AFROTC & becoming an officer but I decided I didn't want to be the one telling someone else what to do.. I wanted to be the one doing & doing it, no matter the pay difference.

I'm thinking join the AF, few years, become a MWD handler, re-enlist once or twice, then get out & make a career out of K-9.. maybe CIA or FBI but I definitely want to join the military first.

I'm not going to say word one about being SFS or a K9 handler since that's not what I do, but I do want you to take a long hard look at the statement I bolded in your reply above.

As a cop, you're going to have the ability while on duty to order people to do things who may be higher rank then you. Plus if you reenlist "once or twice," you may be put in charge of people as a supervisor. What are you going to do then if you don't want to tell someone to do something.

If you can't do that, then you may want to take a long hard look at what you want to do and why you want to do it.

Just my 2 cents

Other then that, I wish I had enlisted because I would have loved to be a handler.

[silkywilky]

I appreciate your reply. No offence meant to ERD, but in my case if I do enter the air force as a dog handler, well this will not be my introduction to military career styles. Though I am coming from a different branch, there are still the same things of disclipine and being in comand. I have been put into a few different leadership postions as a NCO in the army though I have never been in a postion to give orders to those who out ranked me as would be common in a military law enforcement field.

It really does take more than just a simple goal to succeed in a particular career field. Thank you for your input

[JStatus330]

Before I joined the USAF as SF I was told not to pick that AFSC and that it was horrible and everything of which the OP already stated. They are factual statements. More people will tell you they hate it than love it, who likes to work holidays, who wants to notify their chain of command of wanting to take leave 6 months in advance only for a training event to take place and your leave be canceled? The list of negatives about SF go on and on and on and on. You will perform more security duties than police. Stay away from this AFSC. Only a handful of people like their job as SF, the WELL MAJORITY HATE THEIR LIVES.

YES IT REALLY IS THAT BAD. There are tons of other jobs in the Air Force in which you can have a normal life, why ruin it with SF?

[silkywilky]

Before I joined the USAF as SF I was told not to pick that AFSC and that it was horrible and everything of which the OP already stated. They are factual statements. More people will tell you they hate it than love it, who likes to work holidays, who wants to notify their chain of command of wanting to take leave 6 months in advance only for a training event to take place and your leave be canceled? The list of negatives about SF go on and on and on and on. You will perform more security duties than police. Stay away from this AFSC. Only a handful of people like their job as SF, the WELL MAJORITY HATE THEIR LIVES.

YES IT REALLY IS THAT BAD. There are tons of other jobs in the Air Force in which you can have a normal life, why ruin it with SF?

from what I am reading here, sounds like the army. The army is worst off than what you have written, and about the 6 months in advance notice for leave only to have it canceled, yea the army does that all the time.

What about the assignments that the SF gets? Since I will be entering as prior service army, unfortunately I have not really much options, I think like only 6 choices to chose from and that is not taking into account if I am able to raise my GT score to at least a 110, I actualy wanted to dog handler first.

i do know that one of the swet assignments was to a operating base called Quatar where soldiers would go for R&R type of activies when they got lucky from their deployments.

[JStatus330]

from what I am reading here, sounds like the army. The army is worst off than what you have written, and about the 6 months in advance notice for leave only to have it canceled, yea the army does that all the time.

What about the assignments that the SF gets? Since I will be entering as prior service army, unfortunately I have not really much options, I think like only 6 choices to chose from and that is not taking into account if I am able to raise my GT score to at least a 110, I actualy wanted to dog handler first.

i do know that one of the swet assignments was to a operating base called Quatar where soldiers would go for R&R type of activies when they got lucky from their deployments.

The Army in my experience is not worse off than SF. I'm in an infantry battalion but my MOS is Human Resources. We don't have to give 6 months in advance for leave. We get 3 day and 4 day weekends every so often (almost monthly, in fact I just had a 3 day weekend and 4 day weekend back to back). We get weekends and holidays off. All this in an infantry battalion.

When the Air Force base has "down days" (free days off), SF works. When it's Thanksgiving Day and everyone on the entire base if off, SF works. When you can't take Christmas vacation because your flight is working that Christmas, your SOL, sorry, but have fun spending Christmas on a gate on sitting in a patrol, wasting your life away while everyone else on the entire base is on leave with their families.

I strongly advise people against picking SF. I was SF, I know from first hand experience, and my best friend who I've known almost my whole life is SF. It's not a good career. It will suck the life out of you. It will hurt your family life. The list of negatives of SF vs other Air Force AFSC's is a mile long.

[FLAPS]

When the Air Force base has "down days" (free days off), SF works. When it's Thanksgiving Day and everyone on the entire base if off, SF works.

This is interesting, because in strat lift (AMC) aircraft maintainers are generating real world OIF/OEF missions on all holidays. I will say that we do appreciate having SFS out there with us on these holidays and down days!

[silkywilky]

The Army in my experience is not worse off than SF. I'm in an infantry battalion but my MOS is Human Resources. We don't have to give 6 months in advance for leave. We get 3 day and 4 day weekends every so often (almost monthly, in fact I just had a 3 day weekend and 4 day weekend back to back). We get weekends and holidays off. All this in an infantry battalion.

When the Air Force base has "down days" (free days off), SF works. When it's Thanksgiving Day and everyone on the entire base if off, SF works. When you can't take Christmas vacation because your flight is working that Christmas, your SOL, sorry, but have fun spending Christmas on a gate on sitting in a patrol, wasting your life away while everyone else on the entire base is on leave with their families.

I strongly advise people against picking SF. I was SF, I know from first hand experience, and my best friend who I've known almost my whole life is SF. It's not a good career. It will suck the life out of you. It will hurt your family life. The list of negatives of SF vs other Air Force AFSC's is a mile long.

No offense meant to you, you may be right aobut the SF's but you are wrong about the army. Yea while I was in the army I got 4 day weeks and such but so does a lot of air force personnel. On the other hand, you mentioned that you are a human resources, which is admin stuff. It doesn't matter what kind of battalion you are in, you are still admin and therefore don't have the same types of requirements as do the soldiers in the line companies. My company which I left, has spent almost 2 month in the field, no time off, no time for famailies, working the damn weekends, and they are being pushed in all that in the so called much needed prepartion for an up coming 12 month deployment in a few months. These guys are bout to be gone for a whole year and yet what little family time they have left for the last few months is being zapped away in a heartbeat without any second thoughts about thier family time.

I know that admin personeel have training they have to do and participate in but they do not train or work like the engineers and infantry do, simply cos their job is different I know that.

Like I said, it ain't the whole army that is this way, it greatly depends upon the units. What I was refering to earlier was about the unit I have just gotten out of. Also a lot of times these weekends get taken away when there are idiots who with no regards for their comrades, get themselves into trouble with DUI's and a whole bucnch of other crap.

[JD2780]

With the army you may have to go to the field for 2 months, but you know what. Unless you're deployed you're getting holidays off, unless you're working CQ. Now as for security forces there are pros and cons to everything. You may have to work alot while you're in for 4 yrs, but then you can get out with some good job skills. Unlike mine where I have no civilian counter parts, being a cop may set you up for success. Good luck with whatever you choose.