Dog Names that Start with Re

Remco was one of approximately 600 military dogs deployed in combat zones. His handler, Senior Chief Petty Officer Michael Toussaint, had a 22-year career in the Navy. Toussaint was kennel master at Naval Support Activity in Bahrain, but he left his position in 2006. Toussaint’s impeccable naval career is marred by a hazing scandal that was not brought to light until after he was overseas in Afghanistan with his Navy SEAL team. Toussaint’s name was put into several reports about alleged harassment and hazing that occurred at Naval Support Activity in Bahrain. Then on July 9, 2009, Toussaint and his military dog, Remco, were sent on a mission that targeted al-Qaida and Taliban leaders. During the mission, the unit was attacked and came under fire. Remco was mortally wounded and his team leader was gravely injured. Eyewitness accounts claimed that Toussaint heroically charged the enemy and came within 15-feet of two enemy fighters, killing them both. Toussaint’s courageous actions stopped the attack and gave his fellow SEALs time to administer first-aid to their downed team leader. Toussaint’s unit was searching for missing Army private Bowe Bergdahl when they were attacked and Remco was killed.

Most military bases have kennels where military dogs are trained to enter combat zones. There is a kennel master that oversees the training of all the military canines. After Toussaint departed Bahrain, the new kennel master, Petty Officer 1^st Class Jennifer Valdivia, was also implicated in the allegations of harassment and hazing. Valdivia committed suicide when she learned that she was being named in the investigation. These allegations did not include any type of harassment or abuse towards the dogs. These allegations did include sailors being forced to engage in unsavory or nasty training activities. Eventually, the investigation was closed and no charges were filed. Toussaint was awarded the Silver Star for having great battlefield courage and Remco, even though he was deceased, also received the Silver Star.

Military dogs have been used for centuries and have been instrumental in keeping soldiers alive and avoiding booby-traps and bombs. They were able to sniff out Saddam Hussein who was hiding in a dark hole underneath a mud shack. Dogs were instrumental in the Abbottabad mission in Pakistan when Osama Bin Laden was killed. Many of the military dogs are equipped with a waterproof tactical vest when they enter a combat zone. These vests have night vision and infrared cameras that allow the handlers to see what the dogs are seeing up to 1,000 yards away. Handlers can also give commands to their dogs through speakers on the vests. Unfortunately, these vests can cost about $21,500 each.