How to become a paratrooper dog handler?

Becoming a paratrooper dog handler in the air and space forces is synonymous with teamwork with your military dog. You will work in support of units to protect and defend personnel, equipment as well as our army's sites in France, but also in external operations. 

 

Summary:

- Missions

- Training

- Career prospects

- Salary

 

What are the missions of the paratrooper dog handler?

  

This specialty consists of training and coaching a dog to use its sensory and behavioral qualities to fulfill missions of protecting sensitive installations, combat support or explosive detection.

You will be required to work, in partnership with your dog, on various missions. Whether you are assigned to a protection squadron or a paratrooper dog handler unit, they remain similar:

• Ensure the protection of the air force detached in operations on national territory as well as in external operations (air bases or detachments).

• Provide all the care the dog needs, while ensuring the training and handling of the animal.

• Lead a team of military personnel as a canine unit leader.

• Train teams through cynotechnical exercises.

• Assist in the selection and recruitment of new young dogs

• Carry out missions in the areas of air security (air support, combat rescue of isolated personnel, etc.)

• Implement various combat techniques: weapon use (combat shooting), self-defense techniques, commando techniques, dog deployment (attack dog).

• Lead patrols to deter, detect and intervene to delay and neutralize, by weapons if necessary, any malicious act against installations and personnel.

As a paratrooper dog handler, you will have the opportunity to volunteer to participate in missions, such as: 

• External Projection Operations (OPEX) such as Berkhane or Chammal

• Joint and/or international missions (NATO) such as Tiger Meet, Red Flag...

• On national territory such as Sentinelle and Résilience (internal missions MISSINT) by participating in the protection of our citizens

How to train to become a paratrooper dog handler? 

 

 

To become a paratrooper dog handler, you must first pass psychotechnical tests to determine verbal aptitudes, logical reasoning and processing abilities. Then, you join EFSOAA, the Air Force Non-Commissioned Officers Training School in Rochefort for paid training.

Learning the military basics will take place over 15 weeks of training. 

 

The training for the paratrooper dog handler profession takes place at the Orange base, in Vaucluse (84):

• 8 weeks of MAQUIS training which concerns all airmen in the protection force: you will learn knowledge in protection and defense (weapon use and shooting, toughening, combat, topography, communications...) as well as the development of physical and mental capacities

• 12 weeks of MATOU training which concerns officers and non-commissioned officers who want to serve in Protection Squadron or Air Paratrooper Commando: allowing you to learn leadership and the knowledge to ensure your mission in internal operations (OPINT) and external operations (OPEX)

• You will perfect your combat techniques in closed and urban environments, and you will obtain your military parachuting certificate

• 8 weeks of specific training for dog handlers

What are the career advancement opportunities for a paratrooper dog handler?

 

 

The paratrooper dog handler profession allows you to access numerous career developments including:

• Specialization with your dog in Neutralization, Removal and Destruction of Explosives NEDEX

• Join the special forces (counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, search and rescue in combat...)

• Take an internal exam to become a Commando Paratrooper Rifleman Officer for example, which will however require changing positions and air bases.  

The paratrooper dog handler salary

 

The salary of the paratrooper dog handler is subject to variation throughout their career, the information below is a baseline for a single person without children, not housed :

• At school entry, upon obtaining the rank of sergeant, your salary is €1,328 NET,   

• For a sergeant rank (basic certificate), your salary is €1,471 NET,

• Upon obtaining the rank of staff sergeant equivalent to a advanced certificate and 10 years of service, your salary is €1,763 NET,

As a paratrooper dog handler, you have airman status. This status offers you some additional advantages or guarantees: 

• 45 days of leave per year,

• 75% discounts on SNCF fares and up to 50% for your children and spouse,

• Housing assistance as an airman, as well as the possibility of being housed on base for new recruits,