Four dogs were honored with military ranks in a ceremony in Nowy Dwor Mazowiecki, Poland to honor their service in detecting explosives. The dogs, Einar, Eliot, Enzo, and Emi, received ranks ranging from private through corporal to sergeant. This new program was initiated by Gen. Wiesław Kukuła, Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Army, as a way to recognize the hard work and service of these dogs. The ranks are a symbolic gesture to honor the dogs’ contributions to protecting human life.
The dogs belong to the 2nd Mazovian Engineer Regiment, which introduced dogs into service in 2007. During the ceremony, the dogs’ handlers were given badges with their animals’ ranks, which they attached to the dogs’ harnesses. The ranks were given to dogs who had completed basic training and served for more than a year. Capt. Dominik Płaza, a spokesman for the unit, emphasized that the dogs are not just tools for detecting explosives but are living beings who deserve recognition for their service.
The regiment, which recently deployed to Paris for the Summer Olympic Games and Paralympics to assist with security efforts, has also carried out service in international missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The soldiers who work with the dogs volunteer for the assignment and form deep bonds with their canine partners. The commitment to the dogs lasts for the rest of their lives, even after they retire from service. The dogs become integrated into the soldiers’ families, and the love and appreciation for these loyal companions are evident.
While the dogs have been given military ranks, their human handlers will always outrank them, according to Płaza. The master-dog hierarchy is preserved, but the close bond and friendship between the soldiers and their dogs are paramount. In Poland, where pets are a common part of daily life, animals are highly valued and respected. The government has also ensured retirement benefits for dogs and horses working in various departments. The ceremony in Nowy Dwor Mazowiecki highlighted the strong bond between soldiers and their canine partners, showcasing the dedication and commitment to serving together.
One soldier, Staff Sergeant Michał Młynarczyk, served in Afghanistan with a dog named Elvis and now works with Kobalt, a German shepherd. Private Kobalt received his rank in April and goes home with Młynarczyk at night to play with his children. The relationship between soldier and dog is one of friendship and mutual respect, with the dog working diligently to protect and serve his handler. The ceremony in Poland honored the contributions of these loyal canine companions and highlighted the importance of recognizing their service to the military.
