212th

Severe shortage of handlers and K9's

1 February, Long Binh Detachment Due to a shortage of enlisted personnel in the 212th MP Company (Sentry Dog), the 720th MP Battalion initiated a program through which volunteers for Sentry Dog duty were recruited.

A total of four enlisted men were ultimately selected from within the Battalion and underwent a four week period of on the job training and formal classroom instruction. The period of training commenced 1 February and ended 28 February, at which time Brigadier General W. K. Wittwer, Commanding General, 18th Military Police Brigade, presented the four enlisted men with certificates of achievement.

The 212th MP Company was forty-six enlisted men and twenty-six sentry dogs short of its TOE authorized strength. This shortage of both handlers and dogs has resulted in sentry dog support for the 307 CAB, Can Tho and for the 91st Technical Supply, Long Binh Post, being held in abeyance pending receipt of additional sentry dog handlers and sentry dogs.

3 June, Long Binh Detachment 1LT John T. Murray was assigned as the new 212th MP Company Executive Officer (XO).

22 August, Phu Loi Detachment Thirty Sentry Dog handlers and their K9’s from the 212th MP Company, 720th MP Battalion were deployed to Phu Loi Base Camp, based on the increase in enemy ground probes and sapper attacks to which the base camp was subjected and the critical facilities located thereon. Due to the immediate requirement for the Sentry Dog support, some of the normal requirements such as hot water and the proper kennel facilities were waived in order to exploit deployment. A commitment was made to provide the necessary support by 1 September 1971.

October During the phased withdrawal of US troops under the Vietnamization Program manpower needs for the 212th were severely strained. It was estimated that the company was 30 dog handlers short of their mission requirements and that the attrition was expected to get worse during the following ninety days.

The 18th MP Brigade initiated in country training for volunteers indicating a desire to become dog handlers. They also contacted units that were standing down for return to the US to determine who they may have that were trained as Scout and Tracker dog handlers and asked them to remain and/or extend their tours for retraining as Sentry Dog Handlers.

During this same time period the K9’s value as Military Police Patrol Dogs in certain situations at the detachments in Phu Loi, Long Binh Post, and Vung Tau were being recognized and recommendations were initiated for some of the handlers and K9’s to be cross trained as Sentry and Patrol Dogs.

31 October, Phu Loi Detachment The promised kennel facility upgrades promised by command at the Phu Loi Base Camp by 1 September had yet to be initiated for the thirty handlers and K9’s of the 212th Detachment deployed there on 22 August. The lack of proper facilities endangered the health of the K9’s so a command letter outlining the problems was forwarded through channels requesting expeditious action.