GUNFIRE NEUTRALIZATION

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Nic enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17 after graduating from high school in 1996. While working as a Military Police officer he discovered his calling as an MP (Military Police) K-9 handler and decided to re-enlist. Upon completion of the basic K9 handler’s course in 2000, he went on to Germany for a four-year tour. In that time, he moved up to kennel supervisor over-seeing 7 handlers and 10 dogs. Also, during this time, he deployed to Kosovo and Afghanistan with Naval Special Operations. Upon his return from these deployments, he was selected to be part of the start-up for the Department of Defense (DoD) Specialized Search Dog (SSD) program. His role would be to teach, in a joint service school, off-leash and on-leash route clearance detection for new dogs and new handlers. 

In 2006, Nic was offered a chance to assess for the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) as a K9 handler. He successfully passed this rigorous selection process and immediately made the move back to Ft. Bragg, NC, where he would spend the next 16 years as a USASOC K-9 handler. After numerous deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Nic retired in 2022 after a decorated 26-year Military career, 21 of which were spent as a K9 handler with 16 of those spent with the Special Operations Command. 

Nic is currently the owner and operator of KILO III Consulting, LLC. He continues to train USASOC Soldiers in Multi-Purpose Canine (MPC) instruction. In between courses, Nic travels throughout Africa to train and support anti-poaching tactics using tracking dogs and firearms training.

GUNFIRE NEUTRALIZATION

KILO III aims to establish a foundation for training the K9 team to operate effectively in challenging and threatening environments. This includes conditioning the K9 to remain composed in the face of danger, withstand incoming threats, and appropriately respond while handler uses their weapon in high-pressure situations. The K9 and handler must maintain a calm demeanor to support the team effectively in law enforcement or military scenarios. Our approach employs progressive training techniques to gradually acclimate the K9 to potential stressors, allowing the handler to discharge their weapon without causing distress or aggressive behavior from the K9.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT: 

-Biljack food reward or similiar (small treats) 

-Ammunition and duty gear

-Long line

-6’ leash, and/or hip lanyard if available

-K9 vest/harness if normally used when K9 is working