Kennel Talk / March 2017 / MWDTSA.org
Page 6
NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES
Puskos’ bark is loud and his personality is even louder,” said
Master-At-Arms 2nd Class Jordyn Japec, assigned to Naval
Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk Security
Department. “Puskos is constantly
actively searching for odors. He does
not look like your typical Military
Working Dog (MWD); since he is the
smallest dog I’ve trained. However,
he has a great nose and a natural
ability to detect his target up to six
feet taller than him.”
According to the Department of the
Navy Military Working Dog Program
Instruction 5585.2C, the MWD’s
unique capabilities are used by naval
security forces to defend bases and
resources and to assist with enforcing
military laws and regulations. MWDs
supplement and enhance the capabil-
ities of military security forces. When
integrated into existing military se-
curity forces, MWD teams enable
those forces to perform their missions
more effectively and, in many cases,
with significant savings in manpower,
time and money.
Japec stated the position of dog handler is one that a
“I’ve been in the Navy for seven years, but I’ve only worked
as a handler for two and a half years,” said Japec. “Dog han-
dlers are selected either during their initial training in Mas-
ter-At-Arms school by being interviewed by First Class Petty
Officers and Chiefs or while they are out in the Fleet. Since I
was already working as a Master-At-Arms, I volunteered in
the kennel division after hours and my leadership submitted
a package. Once you are selected you have to attend an 8 to
11 week ‘C’ school.”
Master-At-Arms Chad Perez Leading Petty Officer 1st Class
of Security Department K-9 division, spoke about the im-
portance of the handlers in the unit.
“When you are assigned to a dog it is your responsibility to
make sure the dog is getting the proper care, grooming, nu-
trition, and training,” Perez said. “This position is not
typical; you are held to a higher standard since you provide
your K-9 partner with the upmost care and education to
make sure the mission is executed correctly. The Master-At-
Arms dog handler community is small, but we all take great
pride in our day-to-day work.”
According to Perez, Puskos is the smallest K-9 in
NAVSTA.
“Puskos is held to the same standards as the other K-9s in
our command,” Perez said. “He does not notice how small he
extremely loud, is full of energy and is eager to train. He is a
great addition to our division.”
Puskos is one out of four Drug Detector Dogs assigned to
NAVSTA; however, his small size makes him stand out and
is a great advantage for the Security Department.
Drug Detector K-9 Certification Begins
Master-At-Arms 2nd Class (MA2) Jordyn Japec, Military Working Dog Handler, and Puskos, a
Jagdterrier MWD Drug Detector, begin the certification process Jan. 26.
Story by Chief Petty Officer Leeanna Shipps, Photos by USN MCS 3 Jeanyra A. Mateo
Drug Detector continued on page 7