The 72nd Security Forces Squadron has a new kennel master.
Tech. Sgt. James Swann recently took over the position and said he loves his job and his team.
“It’s a good program we have here,” said Sergeant Swann. “We’re like brothers and sisters here. We work hard and help each other, even when we’re fighting, because the dogs come first.”
As the kennel master, Sergeant Swann is responsible for operational control of the kennel, which includes validating team certification, coordinating dogs and handlers, ordering dog food and maintaining the facility, vehicles and training.
There are also deployments to schedule and, recently, the 72nd Security Forces Squadron has taken on Secret Service missions with the dogs sweeping areas where the presidential candidates have spoken.
Sergeant Swann is also a dog handler, paired with his four-legged partner, Ritz.
“I am the type of person that I like to fill up my schedule,” he said. “I like it because I work well under pressure.”
Sergeant Swann has been in the military over 12 years, but he didn’t join the canine unit until 2010. His security forces background started out in law enforcement.
“It’s really enjoyable,” he said. “You have to be passionate to do this job. Most people don’t realize how much of your time goes into being a dog handler. It is essential to the military working dog’s growth.”
That passion comes in handy when Sergeant Swann has to approve new members to the canine team.
“Out of every 100 people who think they want to join the canine team, probably only three make it,” said Sergeant Swann. “Often people will say they are a dog person, but the thing they don’t understand is that these dogs aren’t pets — they’re our partners, but they work. We can’t be loving on them and letting others love on them. We want them to do their job and, in order for the dog to know the difference between an aggressor and a non-aggressor, we have to keep people away from them.”
The dogs are treated very well, and though handlers do spend plenty of time bonding with their partner, they can’t be too lovey with them. The handler has to stay the alpha.
“Once a dog gets something over on a handler, something changes in the dog’s mind and it is very difficult to get that back,” said Sergeant Swann. “Sometimes a dog and handler have to be moved around because it isn’t a good fit. There could be personality conflicts between the dog and handler, though we try to avoid it if possible.”
Sergeant Swann has a softer side. He has been married for 11 years and has two young boys ages 1 and 4. He also has a pet dachshund, Tye-Tye.
One other duty Sergeant Swann has is coordinating an MWD adoption and finding a replacement canine. Typically, the current handler has first priority. If they don’t want to adopt, others who have handled the dog get the option of adoption. Occasionally, people outside the canine unit will get the chance to adopt the dog.
Recently, one of Tinker’s former working dogs, Bully, came to the end of his life and Dr. Heather Cameron at the base vet clinic called Sergeant Swann late at night. He and about 10 other dog handlers gathered to be with Bully and give him a little love before he died.
“That was what it’s all about,” he said. “It was sad, but I’m glad Bully got to live the good life before he passed.”