Volunteers for Dog Handling

[Doobs]

I noticed on the PMA trawl for volunteers website, that volunteers from any trade are invited to go on OOA at MPA as Dog Handlers. Is this the first nail in the coffin for the RAF Police trade?
Would any other tradesmen out there consider volunteering for a 3 week dog course then go 'operational' with a Police dog?
This hasnt gone down too well within the ranks of the RAF Police as this specialisation is seen as sacred turf.

[c-bert]

Dog Handler at MPA? Isn't that OC of the Stanley WI?

[Doobs]

There are quite a few dogs down there that need handling!!

[Mr-Burns]

This is a real shame. I am not a fan of anything that upsets our RAF Police colleagues. They do a great, professional job and have always been completely straight with me. Even when I was nicked for having my tax disc on the dash board instead of attached to the window and I had to take all of my documents 30 miles to beg forgiveness. He was only doing his job and I respect him for it. God bless'em.

PS Where do I sign for the course??

[eyespied]

I thought a dog was for life?

[c-bert]

Only if she marries you.

[Runaway Gun]

He has a real point there. Dogs should be paired up to the most suitable human handler, and remain a team that bonds effectively.

Utilising a dog as a borrowed tool is not ideal.

[Friedlander]

Ooh, no posts for ages and ages and now 2 at once!

I remember the Dog Handlers at a certain Unit at which I served - they thought they were the dogs' danglies (sorry), and constantly went on about how specially selected they were etc - in short, they were above everyone else.

Now, the truth is out 'any rank, any trade' - I wonder if Flight Ops officers can apply - then they'd have a job!;)

Friedlander

[PerArdua]

First the barriers went civvie and now the dogs are looking for new owners. It must be one long tea break in RAFP HQ

PA

[Krystal n chips]

Presumably, and in keeping with the RAF's policy of equal opps. of course, the Dogs concerned have been consulted on this matter ?

[The Helpful Stacker]

It must be one long tea break in RAFP HQ


Gives them plenty of time to count their pay I suppose, now that their trade is considered as technical as all those chaps and chapesses who seem to spend half their lives at Cosford.

Still, apparently the MT trade may well be joining the hammer wielders and barrier operators in the higher pay band soon too.:ugh:

[The Helpful Stacker]

AIDU - To be honest I couldn't give two hoots either way.

I will be a civvy soon and the job I'm going into pays over twice what I earn after many years hard graft and has a company car, Bupa membership and very reasonable pension scheme thrown in too.

Stackering may not pay too well in the mob but the civilian-accredited qualifications you can gain more than make up for it.:ok:

Anyway, its no good pointing, the USAS says its not there.:p

[ProfessionalStudent]

There's been no draw down in RAFP. The reason any trade can apply is that all the Snowdrops are in KAF or Basrah ensuring you're not speeding and that you reverse into your parking space.

No sympathy here, I'm afraid. Except for the dogs that get partnered with the Flt Ops officers!:{

[buoy15]

I think you will find that the trade group for the dog (25?) is higher than for the handler (26?) - hence, it's the dog that gets posted and the the handler accompanies it - likewise - the working shifts are planned for the dog (6hours) so the handlers get loads of time off - dogs life really!
I can't recall ever seeing any handlers carrying pooper scoopers with them on patrol - so obviously, not a crap job;)

[Green Flash]

I saw a couple of dogs dragging the attached snowdrops around RIAT on Sunday. They were having their phot's taken with Joe Public. Aww.

[Clear Right,Px Good!]

Just a query....

What is the Dog PVR rate these days, and are they too becoming a 'Pinch' trade?.

Also....has leaning affected them in the way that it has others...ie; are their 'doggy' processes being scrutinesed in the interests of efficiency and improvement, as are ours.

A mere aside, yet an interesting thought !

CRPxGood

[Seldomfitforpurpose]

"AIDU - To be honest I couldn't give two hoots either way.

I will be a civvy soon and the job I'm going into pays over twice what I earn after many years hard graft and has a company car, Bupa membership and very reasonable pension scheme thrown in too.

Stackering may not pay too well in the mob but the civilian-accredited qualifications you can gain more than make up for it.:ok:

Anyway, its no good pointing, the USAS says its not there.:p"

I thought the latest Harry Potter was not out till Friday, how did this work of fiction escape from Mills and Boon :rolleyes:

[The Helpful Stacker]

Ah yes of course its fiction. A lowly stacker could never find a job in civvy street that pays well and above what he earns in the RAF, not even with a whole raft of qualifications gained through in service employment.

I'll contact the company straight away and tell them that Col Blimp says I should get back in my box.

I apologise for for not knowing my place and beg forgiveness from the ranks of Pprune. I'll strike those expensive to gain qualifications I have from my CV and seek advice from 'Seldomfitforpurpose' as to what is the correct career direction for a humble serf like myself to take in the future, perhaps a career stacking beans in Tesco would be more in keeping for the level at which he sees those of us of a logistics bent.

:rolleyes:

[Doobs]

So returning to the original question...........

Would anyone out there apply???????

[PICKS135]

How does the dog get its money for 'pay as you starve' ?? :):)

[Pontius Navigator]

How does the dog get its money for 'pay as you starve' ?? :):)

No probs, it gets three times the cash allowance than the one on the other end of the chain and doesn't have to pay for it accommodation either. Not only that, full batting, valetting and hairdressing service thrown in.

Only downside is no PVR, no pension and the medical service can be terminal.

[Cpl Plod]

ProfessionalStudent - There's been no draw down in RAFP. The reason any trade can apply is that all the Snowdrops are in KAF or Basrah ensuring you're not speeding and that you reverse into your parking space.


Very nearly bang on answer. The number of RAF Police committed to OOA FP duties is starting to stretch (not over stretch obviously :rolleyes:) the trade.


Doobs - So returning to the original question...........

Would anyone out there apply???????

I am lead to believe that they have had several volunteers already. Probably from some of the trades that are getting pinged for quick turn around sandpit tours to whom 4 months in MPA will seem like a holiday.

As for the death of the QPD specialization, maybe, maybe not. I believe the any-trade dog courses are meant to be a short term measure to assist with current manpower difficulties.

Additionally, the any-trade handlers will not be trained to the same standard as QPD (who complete several different courses and CT packages) and will be employed on the most basic of tasks (expecting abuse for this, but some QPD work does require highly trained teams to be effective - honest)

[ZH875]

I wonder how many aircraft electricians have applied.:O

[BlotBangRub]

I came back from MPA in Feb this year, and I tell you, some of the dogs down there are real stunners (especially the long haired fuzzy one!).

After seeing the attention the dogs got from the Air Atlanta hosties, I wouldn't mind applying to be one of the dogs! ;)

[Pontius Navigator]

I came back from MPA in Feb this year, and I tell you, some of the dogs down there are real stunners (especially the long haired fuzzy one!).

Hi, give my regards to your psychiatrist when you see her next.:}

[NutLoose]

I do remember in NI when requested to produce my ID showing it to the dog, as I figured it was the intelligent part of the equation............ that went down like a lead balloon:{

[Doobs]

Very predictable and very boring !!

[Safety_Helmut]

I will be a civvy soon and the job I'm going into pays over twice what I earn after many years hard graft and has a company car

Postman ? :ok:

[Wensleydale]

Better than walking the streets.....

[Top Right]

I wonder how many aircraft electricians have applied.
ZH875 - very good but not many aircrew will know that one.

Dogs in FI? Knew an OC PSF at MPA with young airwoman presenting Gen App for second extension to stay in MPA. Why do you want to spend 12 months here? Ma'am, in UK I am a dog, here I am a goddess.

And anyone remember that entrepreneurial RAFP at RAF Newton (HQ RAFP in the old days) who was (finally) caught for flogging dog kennels at car boot sales? Seemingly it was the stackers that caught him after wondering just where all those requests by NATO stock number had actually gone .....

And the final RAF Police Dog link: 19 (F) Sqn, RAF Wildenrath, junior pilot, world land speed record .........