The Signature | March 3, 2023

Name: MA2 Jacob Grizzard

Command: NAS Sigonella

Department: Security

By MC1 Joshua Cote, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

Master-at-Arms Sailors carry out many different jobs here on Naval Air Station Sigonella, yet only a select few get to be Military Working Dog (MWD) Handlers. Not every Sailor can become a dog handler after completing in-rate training, they have much more specialized intensive training afterwards.

For Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Jacob Grizzard, from Trenton, Ga., that is exactly the career path he took. He joined the Navy in 2011 and after finishing boot camp and additional training, was stationed at Commander, Navy Region Southwest and Naval Technical Training Center Lackland before coming to NAS Sigonella.

During his work day, Grizzard spends time working directly with the military working dogs on base.

“I start the day by checking my emails,” said Grizzard. “Then I have to pull the dogs for training and utilization. Part of the training is detection for narcotics and explosives as well as patrol training.”

When it comes to working with dogs, no two are the same. They all have different personalities just like humans.

“One of my favorite parts of the job is trouble shooting when training with the dogs,” said Grizzard. “All the military working dogs are different and require individual training plans. It is more than just playing with dogs. Learning how to read and understand an animal and build behaviors into them to better suit the mission is an incredible feeling.”

When it comes to serving in the military, it can

mean many different things to a service member.

“To me serving in the Navy means passing down knowledge to the next generation,” said Grizzard. “That way we can ensure a viable military working dog program in the future.”

There is one accomplishment of Grizzards career that stands out to him more than most so far.

“My proudest accomplishment so far is receiving a Blue Patch from the 341st Training Squadron while attached to NTTC Lackland during an instructor tour,” Said Grizzard. “The Blue Patch is a milestone in dog training when you’re stationed at Lackland. You get it when you qualify a certain number of dogs and are nominated for it by the master trainers of the command.”

Grizzard’s hard work and dedication to his job here on NAS Sigonella has made him stand out to his leadership in his work center.

“MA2 Grizzard is an outstanding Sailor and always puts maximum effort into his work and the work of the Sailors in his division and department,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Madison Leathers.

“Grizzard brings a huge light to the kennel with his humor and amazing attitude, keeping the morale of the MWD kennel at an all-time high. His wealth of knowledge is wide, and his leadership skills are unmatched, setting the example to all and paving the way for his junior Sailors.”

When he is not at work, Grizzard likes to spend his free time with his family and going to the gym to work on his physical fitness. On top of that, he enjoys spending time outdoors and taking vacations when possible to travel around Europe.