K9: Trident Warriors

I stumbled on this great book about the U.S. Navy’s Trident Warriors while doing research for my novel, Serpents Underfoot. The hero in my novel, a U.S.Navy SEAL currently deployed in Afghanistan, is sent to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina to meet and train with his new partner and the newest member of their team, Ajax. Ajax is a Belgian Malinois.

I am certainly a dog lover. It is hard for me to not be. Name another creature on this planet that gives his master such unconditional love and loyalty … and asks nothing in return. A dog will even have this bond with a totally undeserving abusive, neglective or cruel master. That is the depth of the partnership a dog forms with his human.

Because of this, as I grow older, I find I have a hard time trusting people who do not like dogs. I also find I have trouble trusting people my dog does not like. Oh well!

German Shepherd vs. Belgian Malinois

So to be honest, Ajax started out to be a German Shepherd. Since I love German Shepherds … and my German Shepherd, Sophie, is a great dog. However, after the research, this changed. My main character’s dog is now a Belgian Malinois. The Malinois is very similar in most respects, abilities, and traits to the German Shepherd. It is just, on average, about 10 pounds lighter. From my research, I now understand this is a big deal when jumping out of combat aircraft with a dog strapped to your chest. So, Ajax became a Belgian Malinois.

About Mike Ritland

As a Navy SEAL deployed in Iraq, the author, Mike Ritland, got to see several military working dogs in action. He knew at that moment that he’d found his true purpose in life. Ritland started his own company, training and supplying dogs for the SEAL teams, U.S. Government, and Department of Defense. Mike understood that less than 1% of all working dogs could make the cut and then go on to contribute to the success of our nation’s elite combat units. He wanted to provide a reliable source for the best trained, most steadfast, courageous canine warriors. These highly specialized canines had to meet tough standards and pass rigorous selection tests before any serious training could even begin.

These K9 Trident Warriors are highly trained working dogs, capable of handling both detection and apprehension work in the most dangerous and extreme environments. Like the Navy SEAL, they can do their jobs under intense battlefield conditions. They are certainly fiercely aggressive and athletic. But, these dogs also develop a close bond with their handlers and the other team members. As true members of their teams, these proud K9 warriors are, like their human counterparts, unwavering in their devotion to duty. Strong, tough, and disciplined. These dogs take it to the enemy, despite any pain, injury, or fear.

A New York Times Bestseller

Reading this book, Trident K9 Warriors, gave me real insights into these elite canines. I learned about the breeds, how they train, and the extreme missions they undertake. They save countless lives and ask for little in the way of reward. From detecting explosives to eliminating the bad guys, these powerful dogs are also some of the smartest and most highly skilled working animals on the planet. If you want to learn about these amazing dogs, the sacrifices they make and the heroic actions they take on the battlefield, then this is a book you should most certainly read.

K9 Trident Warriors … a Really Good Read

This is a great book about military working dogs. And, I have read several. This book tells their tale in a realistic, honest way. While reading this book you cannot help but come to love and admire these dogs who courageously put themselves between their handler or their team … and danger. All they ask in return is a pat on the head, a treat, or a kind word.

Mike Ritland does a great job of conveying the rigors of Seal dog selection and training. In addition, Ritland also incorporates historical facts about military working dogs and how they evolved into the elite spec-ops K9 warriors of today. Ritland manages to tell their story honestly and without divulging any sensitive operational secrets that could put Seals and their K-9 teams active in the field in danger.

An Authentic Telling

Ritland’s book gives the most detailed descriptions of these dogs, their abilities, and their missions you can read. To get any more real, you would have to be out working with the dogs yourself. Mike Ritland has an amazingly in-depth understanding of these dogs. Ritland tells presents his narrative in a very readable way. It is enjoyable and easily holds your attention. You find your heart captured by these dogs and their devotion to their handlers and their duty. It is easy to tell Ritland has a real love and admiration for these dogs.

You will not find a more realistic personal account of these heroic dogs anywhere. I came away with a whole new appreciation for these K9 Trident Warriors and their U.S. Navy SEAL handlers. Furthermore, these teams deserve the gratitude and respect of all Americans. They operate at a higher level. Furthermore, it is a level that is almost unthinkable for many of us. If you like military history, if you love dogs, you should read this book. It one of the best of its kind. Therefore, I highly recommend it.