Page 18 - Chiron Winter 2020
P. 18

Tek is fortunate to have been in the hands of such experienced and dedicated vets.
On 28 March 2018, retired
MWD (RMWD) Tek was adopted
by a civilian family and sent to a pampered retirement in the Suffolk Countryside. He has fully regained his weight and muscle tone and while his condition still needs daily management, he is able to walk for miles and has even taken up scent work and tracking just for fun.
To look at him, you’d never know
anything was wrong.
Tek’s story is one of many, and
only illustrates one aspect of the
role the DATR plays in supporting military readiness. According to Lt Col Thompson, Commanding Officer of the DATR, there are currently about 850 MWDs in Defence, 490 Military Working Horses and 9 mascots. The DATR’s three training squadrons (Canine, Equine and Veterinary) are comprised of 242 dedicated individuals who manage every imaginable duty associated
with procurement, training
(of animals and handlers), and veterinary treatment and referrals.
The team at the DATR are unsung heroes, training animals who save the lives of many, and helping those same animals to retire well. RMWD Tek’s successful recovery reflects the caring and professional attitudes of the entire Defence Animal Training Regiment’s team and the Ministry of Defence’s policies in protecting these incredible dogs even when they are no longer an asset.
 An instructor at the DATR
by Cpl Spencer
Iam thrilled to be asked to write this article on the topic of instructional roles here
at the Defence Animal Training Regiment (DATR) for Chiron Calling.
Having spent nearly 5 years now at Melton Mowbray, soon to embark on my return posting to 1 MWD Regt, I can share
my experiences and reflect a little on some of the highlights and challenges that I have encountered during my time at the DATR.
The Canine Training Squadron offers a multitude of opportunities to anyone thinking about developing or pursuing an instructional skillset along their career path.
Initially, I began my posting assigned to 2 Troop, a role that serves to train Military Working Dogs (MWD) for a variety of defence customers. Starting with Protection, then Detection, I learned the basics of training and passed out several MWDs before moving on to 1 Troop, Courses. To begin with, my main area of responsibility within 1 Troop was maintaining its fleet of MWDs.
Whilst MWDs were not actively assigned to handlers undertaking specialist search courses or going through their basic dog handlers’ course, such as Initial Trade Training or the RAF Police Patrol
Dog Handler course, I was now responsible for the continuation training of all specifications!
This posed a new challenge entirely, as instead of training a single specification, I was now expected to undertake and assist with, continuation training of
all types of specifications and maintain their standards to a high level. For example: Arms and Explosive Search, Protection, Vehicle Search, Police, High Assurance Search and Drug Detection.
This was particularly enjoyable as I was able to learn more about specifications that I had always been interested in but never had the opportunity to get involved with. Drawing on the skill and experience from SME on the section, including the SIO and their vast wealth of knowledge, I began learning more about each specification in depth.
Subsequently, I have also been fortunate enough to undertake MWD courses myself and a trip to DEMS, Bicester for a Ground Sign Awareness Instructors Course, so that I could assist
with instructional duties, which soon projected me into secondary and ultimately lead instructor positions.
The role of a course instructor has increased my confidence tenfold and given me the ability
to engage in different methods of learning to accommodate a vast array of students, from military
to civilian whilst also helping develop the way I interact with others. I have received an insight into different trainer/trainee development concepts which have helped me shape the way I deliver training more effectively and have been especially helpful during the current climate, countering the restrictions of COVID-19 through establishing new methods of distance learning such as using Zoom and other remote training techniques.
I would highly recommend
to anyone wishing to develop their own instructional skillset
to consider a posting within
the DATR, no two days are the same and the opportunity to try different things and place myself out of my comfort zone has been rewarding, not only with potential for career progression but also through investing in myself
by adopting new perspectives
of learning, to help grow my understanding of teaching not only MWD, but people.
In closing, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here as an instructor at the DATR, met some brilliant people and been allowed to manage myself in a way that has enabled me to help shape my own destiny.
16 / Chiron Calling





























































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