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Navy NEC · Combat & Infantry

P05A Dog Handler

Current service use not established

This code is listed in the directory. Inclusion alone does not confirm current service use.

A Navy Enlisted Classification: a skill designation sailors hold in addition to their rating.

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Overview

A Dog Handler uses an assigned military working dog for law enforcement, physical security, antiterrorism operations, and the detection of explosives or illicit drugs. The handler cares for and continuously trains the dog while maintaining administrative records concerning its use and upkeep.

Core Skills

  • Canine detection of explosives or illicit drugs
  • Working dog conditioning and proficiency maintenance
  • Working dog care and welfare
  • Working dog use and maintenance records

Civilian Career Paths

Career associations are editorial assessments of the cited evidence, not an official crosswalk unless the evidence explicitly says so. O*NET supplies civilian occupation information, not proof of a military match. Related experience does not confer civilian qualifications. Tasks and tools below describe civilian work, not military training.

Animal Trainers

Continuous training, physical conditioning, and care of an assigned working dog transfer directly to maintaining animal behavior and welfare.

How to prepare: Build a civilian-facing portfolio showing training goals, methods, proficiency results, and care routines without including sensitive operational information.

What the civilian work involves
  • Conduct training programs to develop or maintain desired animal behaviors for competition, entertainment, obedience, security, riding, or related purposes.
  • Observe animals' physical conditions to detect illness or unhealthy conditions requiring medical care.
  • Feed or exercise animals or provide other general care, such as cleaning or maintaining holding or performance areas.

Transportation Security Screeners

Working dog detection duties and physical security operations provide relevant experience for identifying prohibited materials in transportation screening.

How to prepare: Seek hands-on instruction in baggage screening equipment and chemical swab testing to bridge from canine detection to equipment-based screening.

What the civilian work involves
  • Search carry-on or checked baggage by hand when it is suspected to contain prohibited items such as weapons.
  • Test baggage for any explosive materials, using equipment such as explosive detection machines or chemical swab systems.

Notes & Sources

Evidence for this guidance (3 documents)
  1. NAVPERS 18068F Vol II (NEOCS, Jul 2026 edition): NEC P05A

    [1] NEC entry "P05A - Dog Handler"; cached text line 9888; NAVPERS 18068F Vol II, 2026-07 edition

    Supports: Canine detection of explosives or illicit drugs, Working dog conditioning and proficiency maintenance, Working dog care and welfare, Working dog use and maintenance records, Animal Trainers (O*NET 39-2011.00), Transportation Security Screeners (O*NET 33-9093.00)

  2. O*NET: Animal Trainers

    [2] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Animal Trainers (O*NET 39-2011.00)

  3. O*NET: Transportation Security Screeners

    [3] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Transportation Security Screeners (O*NET 33-9093.00)

Defense contractor jobs for P05A

Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.

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