How many days of OJT are required prior to attending the Handlers course for USMC K9 personnel?

• A. 15 days
• B. 30 days
• C. 60 days
• D. 90 days

Answer: (B)

The number of days of OJT before attending the Handlers course is 30 days.

This window gives you practical, hands-on exposure with the K9 teams—covering daily care, basic obedience, safety procedures, welfare checks, and real-world routine tasks. It helps you recognize typical dog behavior, learn proper handling under supervision, and get comfortable with the work environment. Entering the formal Handlers course with this foundation lets you focus on advancing skills rather than catching up on basics, which supports safer, more effective training and better learning progress. Shorter than this may not provide enough bite-sized experience, while longer periods are not typically required and can unnecessarily delay formal training.