I donate to NFTT, because I feel that the people who serve in our military deserve all of the help we can give them. Over the years, the animal world has done it's part in helping our military.
Many animals have been used by various military organizations over the centuries.
These various animals are employed to assist and protect the military in various ways using abilities that exceed and complement the abilities of humans, such as: strength, extraordinary senses, swimming, or flying. They have been and are still used for everything from pack animals, to bomb sniffers, to border protection.
Although many animals are used by the United States military, this diary will primarily focus on the dogs used by the military.
PLEASE DONATE
MILITARY DOGS
Introduction
No animals have been more of an asset to any military than dogs. The dog’s characteristics make his services invaluable in the assisting and protecting of military personnel Those special characteristics are: acute senses, affection for humans, speed, trainability and loyalty.
The United States military has used dogs during war and conflicts for over 60 years. Currently, they are still used in conflicts and also for peacetime security duties.
During the time that the abilities of dog have been used, trained military dogs have been responsible for saving the lives of many thousands of our soldiers.
History
Essentially, the United States did not make use of dogs before 1942. Prior to the time the U.S. started using dogs extensively, Germany was the primary user of military dogs.
After WWII – “For the first time in its history the Army recognized that dogs possessed sufficient tactical value to justify their inclusion among the regular peacetime units. . . “ This quote was found at uswardogs.org
How dogs are used has changed over time. For instance, at the time of Pearl Harbor, sled dogs were the only working dogs in the Army.
At various times, dogs have been used by all of the U.S. military, especially: Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Over the years, thousands of dogs have served the United States armed forces with distinction in all conflicts and wars since WWI, especially: WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Note: There is a quite a bit of information available about the details of how many dogs were in the military and the tasks they performed in each of the conflicts. The site uswardogs.org has quite a bit of information.
Selection
Dogs are assessed for their suitability for a particular job, as a breed and as an individual. The evaluator looks for the general traits of well-adjusted and socialized. Dogs that lack the required stability, sensitivity and confidence are removed from the program. Dogs that react inappropriately to loud noises are also rejected.
Breeds of Dogs
The current preferred breeds are German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Labrador Retriever and the Doberman pinscher. Many other breeds have been used over time, including, but not limited to: Boxers, Dalmatians, Collies, even Standard Poodles.
German Shepherds excel at nearly all tasks, and all types of retrievers are excellent as odor detectors.
The military currently has a breeding program for dogs, for military use. The breeding program is conducted at the same facilities used for training the dogs and handlers.
Lackland Air Force base in Texas has a Foster program for their young puppies.
Roles and Duties
Over the centuries dogs have had many roles with the military, but in modern times specific duties have been defined where dogs can give the best service. While in the past they have done everything from catch rats to draw fire to expose enemy positions, today dogs are given humane tasks where their special skills do the most good.
Source: olive-drab.com/od_wardogs_roles.
Common categories of duties for Military Working Dogs are: Sentry Dogs, Scout or Patrol Dogs, Messenger Dogs, Mine Dogs, Casualty Dogs, Tunnel Dogs and Explosives Detection. Details on these duty categories can be found at uswardogs.org and olive-drab.com/od_wardogs_roles.php.
Currently, in addition to Iraq and Afghanistan, dogs are stationed at the various military bases all over the country and military dogs have been used by the Secret Service to assist in guarding President Obama.
The primary duty of all military dogs is to save lives, either directly or indirectly.
“These dogs save lives on a daily basis,” said the 14 year Army veteran, including service in the war zones of Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo.
“Every time one of these dogs goes out and finds something, that’s one more danger off the streets.”
Link to quote source
Handlers
When the dogs are trained, their human partners are trained right along with them so that they become a team. The basic things a handler learns are: safety procedures, managing the canine’s health, all aspects of the gear the dogs will be using, record keeping and the principles of behavioral conditioning. Obedience training is a daily occurrence from the outset. Together, handlers and dogs will learn the specialized duties that will be required of them. During their training, the men learn to depend on their dogs in any situation, and to trust their dogs' instincts with their lives.
Handlers often work 12 to 14 hour days including weekends. They spend this time training, feeding, and grooming to ensure that their dog is mission capable.
Care
Medical care is provided to all animals in the military. They work hard and need quality care in order to be ready for service.
Along with Veterinarians, trained Army Medical Care specialists provide care for the dogs in the military. The handler is primary in the care of the animal because he is active, daily, in with his dog. Because of this daily contact, handlers are the first to be aware of any problem the dog has. This daily communication between handlers and their dogs ensures a strong bond. Handlers accompany their animal to the vet for all medical attention from minor and routine to more serious matters.
Training
Several bases across the country have facilities and personnel for the training of the military dogs. Dogs begin their military training when they are nine months to a year old. Like all military personnel, they go through a basic training to learn the rudimentary skills of being a military working dog. The dog and handler are trained as a team in the special area of service they will be used. After the formal training the handler daily works with the dog to reinforce the training and to advance their skills. For example, when in a combat setting, the handlers may set up training situations in open areas, roadways, abandoned buildings, and vehicles where they hide simulated explosives or other simulations appropriate to the specific area of the team’s duties.
Recognition
There is no official recognition given by the military to the animals.
Brief History of Recognition -
“A number of dogs trained by the Quartermaster Corps established outstanding records in combat overseas. At least one dog was awarded combat medals by an overseas command. These were later revoked since it was contrary to Army policy to present these decorations to animals. In January 1944, the War Department relaxed these restrictions and allowed publication of commendations in individual unit General Orders. The Quartermaster General of Citation Certificates granted later approval for issuance to donors of war dogs that had been unusually helpful during the war. The first issued were in recognition of eight dogs that were members of the first experimental War Dog unit in the Pacific Theater.”
Found at militaryworkingdog.com/history, direct link not allowed.
Various groups have been involved in getting recognition for the dogs that have served. One group in particular is the Vietnam Dog Handler Association (VDHA). Among other things, this group has been a part of War Dog Memorial projects and getting a War Dog Stamp. More about VDHA here.
There have been a few changes made so that now the contribution and the rights of the dogs who have served can be recognize In November of 2000, President Bill Clinton signed into law the provision that military dogs could be adopted upon retirement.
Adoptions
There are a few web sites that promote adoption of retired military dogs, like the Military Working Dog Foundation, Inc.
There is an Adoption Program at Lackland Air Force base. Link
Most dogs available for adoption have not met the required standards for military duty, and most of the rest have completed their service and are now available for adoption. Some are no longer capable of performing their military duties.
Adoption law gives first priority to civilian law enforcement, then former handlers, and last the general public. There are some restrictions on general public adoptions, particularly households with young children and/or small animals.
Note: This diary is a slightly revised version of a diary I posted in August of 2009 for NFTT fund raising.
If you have an interest in reading more about animals in the military, see the list of resources below, for a start. Also, a previous NFTT diary that I did concentrated specifically on the U. S. Navy Marine Mammal Program at San Diego. Link
Resources used in preparation of this diary:
http://www.lackland.af.mil/...
http://www.qmfound.com/...
http://www.uswardogs.org/... (Home Page)
http://www.uswardogs.org/...
http://www.militaryworkingdogs.com/...
http://www.militaryworkingdogs.com/...
http://www.digitaldog.com/...
http://www.goarmy.com/...
http://www.olive-drab.com/...
Now the specifics about the Netroots For The Troops 2010:
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Our goal for Netroots For The Troops 2010 is $100,000.00 (cash or in-kind donations).
Our primary goal with NFTT is assembling Care Packages at Netroots Nation. However, occasionally there arises a need beyond those deployed. Maybe a veteran and his family caught between a need and red tape. llbear et al has shown us several times this year. So as we rises funds this year keep in mind that your donation may very well be helping a veteran in need here at home or help those deployed feel they're remembered here at home.
We realize that you would like to donate something tangible to go inside the packages that will be mailed to the troops. Unfortunately, accepting in-kind donations from individuals is not practical in terms of storage and handling of the items. We will only be accepting corporate donations or cash from YOU to purchase items for the care packages this year.
Here’s how YOU can help:
- Please contact TexDem if you know someone who might be helpful in securing the corporate in-kind donations. To help you think of companies who could donate products, see below* for a list of potential items. Put your thinking caps on and let us hear from you. It takes time to get through the corporate processes so we need to hear from you ASAP!
- We are accepting cash from individuals and
beg ask that you DONATE HERE to contribute to this worthy cause. Your donation will enable us to purchase the things that we are unable to obtain through corporate donations, and will help to pay the costs of shipping them to our troops. This year your donations will be tax deductible, thanks to Netroots Nation and their partner Netroots Arts and Education Initiative, a California 501(c)3 corporation.
- Sign up for a diary! Don’t worry---we’ve made it easy for you. We’ve got a template set up, and all you need to do is add a small introduction telling us why you are donating, sharing a story of someone you know who has served or is serving, or any other thing you want to share that might help motivate others to donate.
- Do you know a service member who would like to receive a care package? Email a request to: NFTT.request@gmail.com before June 30 2010.
Please include all of the following information. Unfortunately we will not be able to process any incomplete requests:
Rank:
Last name:
First name:
APO Address Line 1:
APO Address Line 2:
APO Address Zip:
- Write letters to be included in the packages! If you need some ideas, rbutters wrote an excellent diary with tips on how to write letters to troops and why it’s so important to them.
- Help us assemble the packages in Las Vegas. It's fun! More information will be forthcoming for those of you who are going to be in Las Vegas and would like to help there.
- Please consider joining the NFTT FaceBook Group. Invite your FaceBook and non-FaceBook friends.
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The goal for 2010 is 600 Care Packages assembled in Las Vegas, that equates to approximately $100,000.00. Again this was decided upon after seeing we could assemble 300 in 45 minutes in Pittsburgh. The items we'll be sending will be comparable to what was sent last year. However, that list is subject to modification based on suggestions, request and needs. Last year's boxes had a retail value of about $210.00. Btw, check out the NFTT website.
*The following list contains some of the things we have included in packages. Please let us know if you know someone who might be helpful in securing these corporate in-kind donations. (Please DO NOT send these items yourself! We have no way to accept them. Instead, your cash donation is the very best way to help make this happen on the ground in Las Vegas.)
- Baby wipes
- Mechanix gloves
- LED flashlights
- Gel shoe insoles
- Goop Cleaning Gel
- Powdered energy drinks
- Gel energy food packets
- DVDs and CDs
- Letters to the soldiers
- More suggestions coming soon
Important Note about Successful Online Donations
When you make your online donation, the screen indicates that you are donating to Netroots Nation. This is the right screen! Rest assured all donations WILL go to NFTT. If you wish, feel free to use the comment area provided to note that your donation is intended for Netroots For The Troops. It isn’t necessary to do this however, as this is the only fundraising activity being conducted for Netroots Nation at this time. For further information about online donations, please read TexDem's diary on the subject.
The NFTT diaries are a way for the Daily Kos community to support the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq by sending them packages of items they might not otherwise receive through the normal military process but that they find useful.
This is a non-political diary. While we understand there are differing views on the wars and the warriors, the site gives plenty of opportunity to express those views elsewhere. Furthermore, we would hope that users do not engage with those that attempt to hijack or otherwise disrupt these diaries.
We appreciate your understanding and support. Thanks!