Frequently Asked Questions
Our FAQ is here to help you with common questions. If you can not find the answer to your question or if you require additional information you can contact us at info@amk9.com. Thank you.
Customer FAQ
Q. What is a "Dual Purpose" dog?
A. A dual purpose dog is typically a dog trained for both protection and detection work, e.g. an explosive detector dog which is also trained to provide physical defense for you.
Q. Where do the dogs come from?
A. Our canines come from various breeders throughout the USA and Europe. All of our dogs go through a detailed selection process before they even begin training to ensure a high standard.
Q. What is a 'green' dog?
A. A 'green' dog is a dog which has only received the most rudimentary of basic commands and has not been trained for any particular specialty.
Careers FAQ
Q. Do you know how the company is going to break up the Kennel Masters, Supervisors and Trainers, and Handlers? Is it going to be with experience?
A. Personnel will be invited to train at Hill Country Dog Center as K-9 Handlers. Once they have been identified by the staff as qualified and competent, they may be promoted to Trainer or Kennel Master. When you submit your application, you can designate if you want to be considered for Trainer or Kennel Master. Experience will, of course, have a factor in the decision.
Q. When will I know my deployment date?
A. When you are invited to train you will be given a date that you will begin training at Hill Country. Hill Country training lasts up to 30 days. Deployment to KAF depends on completion of Hill Country training and CRC training. AMK9 and RONCO will be deploying people in stages for at least six months. If you need more time before you can go to Hill Country, please include this in your application or make the recruiting staff aware.
Q. Do we have to go through CRC?
A. Yes. Each person will go through CRC. You will be notified when a CRC slot opens up and will either complete this during the Hill Country training or immediately after. Immediately following the completion of both Hill Country and CRC, you will deploy to Kandahar.
Q. Must we complete classes before we go to CRC or get deployed?
A. You must complete your Hill Country Training and CRC before you can be certified with your K-9 and deployed.
Q. Are there K-9 Certifications on-site in Afghanistan?
A. No. However, you are required to do daily or weekly training with your dog while in country. All materials for training will be provided. Recertification will be conducted in country should you choose to stay for an additional year.
Q. How does the company work and what is expected of us once in country?
A. There are two companies partnered on this project. RONCO and AMK9 will be jointly running the program and you will be an employee on one of them. Your employing company will be identified when you arrive at Hill Country. Once in country you will be assigned to a forward operating base. Both AMK9 and RONCO employees will perform the same jobs and operate side by side while deployed.
Q. When do we start getting paid? Here in the US or once we are in country?
A. You will receive a rate of $2,500.00 dollars per month while completing training and processing through CRC. Your full pay rate will start the day you arrive in the place of performance.
Q. When should I expect to get on the plane?
The contract you are being considered for has a mobilization timeline of six months or more. Some people will be required to begin their training as early as 1 February. Some people will have more time before they begin, possibly into June or July. If you have a preference of when you want to start Hill Country training, please let us know. From the time you are given a training offer letter to the time you arrive in Kandahar could be as little as 45 days, but could also be longer depending on your Hill Country training.
Although we do have additional openings over the course of several months, the positions will be filled on a first come first filled basis. Therefore it is in your benefit to apply for the earliest available class date which is available to you.
Q. Who is going to contact me regarding training and travel?
A. Once you are presented as a candidate, AMK9 will contact you regarding scheduling your Hill Country training start date and arranging your travel to Hill Country. We do ask that you be patient when awaiting contact.
Q. Is the contract for the position available for review?
A. We will have a finalized contract available shortly. As mentioned above you will be an employee of either AMK9 or RONCO. While employment letters may have slightly different verbiage, based on Corporate requirements, the standard pay, vacation, and benefits will remain the same.
Q. Is the assignment on the actual air field or outside of the fence?
A. You will be stationed at a forward operating base in Afghanistan Regional Command - South. You will NOT be performing patrols outside the perimeter of the FOB. It is possible and likely you will not know which FOB you will be stationed at until you get to Kandahar. The commanders on the ground will need requirements filled as they come. Each FOB is different and living conditions are different. It is also possible, following your leave rotations, that you will not be placed at the same FOB where you started.
Q. Who is supplying the uniforms and what equipment is furnished if any, is it an armed position?
A. All personnel will be wearing uniforms provided by AMK9 and RONCO. The uniforms are similar in nature.
Q. Will I be armed?
A. CENTCOM has begun a movement to remove weapons from contractor use. Therefore the position itself is considered 'unarmed', however you will be working with a Dual Purpose canine.
Q. Do I wait for any additional medical stuff or go ahead and get things started here?
A. This is up to you. You will be required to pass medical exams as outlined in the CRC guidelines. Available at: https://www.benning.army.mil/CRC/. Be sure you can pass the medical. If you fail to pass your medical you may be responsible for repaying Hill Country costs. You must also pass a background check, which will be initiated once you reach Hill Country.
Q. How long is the training? Will I receive details outlining the training? If so, when will I receive them? Can I wear civilian clothes for the training? How long is the training class each day?
A. Training at Hill Country will last up to 30 days. Failure to certify when presented to the Army Certification Authority may result in a possible wash back for additional training.
The training schedule is fluid and adapts to the need of the class. However you will be working with Dual Purpose Detector Dogs and will therefore be doing training that consists of both attack and detection work. Some minor classroom sessions will also be a part of the training class.
During training you may wear any clothing which is conducive to the type of training being conducted. Personnel traditionally wear anything from jeans to BDU. You will be responsible for providing your own clothing during training. Uniforms will be issued after certification.
Training days vary based on weather and the location of the training. Expect to spend at least 8 hours a day in training.
Q. When will I receive an offer letter, so I can give my current employer a notice?
A. You will receive an Invitational Training Letter once you have completed all the initial paperwork required. The Letter outlines the full process of selection and the expected timeline for receiving a final offer of employment.
Q. How long is the duration of the contract?
A. You will be signing on as an employee. The employment letter cover a 365 day period which renews indefinitely as long as you meet the performance requirements.
Q. Medical Records (physical, dental, HIV clearance): How recent do they have to be? Are military records ok? What type of a physical do I need? Just a basic dental exam? What if I can’t get my records before going to the training?
A. Please go to the CRC website for further information on this. You will have opportunities during the training course to complete any additional requirements needed for processing CRC.
Q. Do I need a secret clearance?
A. Personnel will only need to have a background check conducted for the issuance of the Common Access Card (CAC). This will be conducted by the company during your time at Hill Country.
Q. Can I bring my dog?
A. Unfortunately, at this time we are not allowing for the use of personal canines.
Q. My passport won’t be issued before leaving for training; is that ok?
A. We will work with this on a case by case basis. Since passports can be expedited (around 3 weeks for issuance) we may authorize you to attend training providing that you have proof that you have already initiated the process. You will not be permitted to attend CRC until you possess a valid passport. Delays in attending CRC if you have failed to procure a valid passport will not be reimbursed by the company.
Q. I have a brown or red passport, can I use this?
A. Brown and red passports are typically issued for official government business. Sine you are travelling as a civilian contractor you will not be allowed to travel using these documents. You must possess a standard blue civilian passport for travel on this contract.
Q. Will dog food, dog bowls, etc. be provided? Will vet assistance be provided?
A. All K-9 materials will be provided by the company. Vet assistance will be provided by the Government. However, you may bring personal leashes or equipment if you would like.
Q. Will uniforms be issued? What do they look like and what color? Standard military issued? Are they heavy-weight material? Are jackets provided? How do the sizes run?
A. Uniforms will be issued at Hill Country. They are standard BDU style. They were selected based on our extended performance in Afghanistan as best fitting the requirements of the mission. Jackets are also provided. You will be required to provide your own boots* which must be tan in color.
Q. *Note: Boots need to be tan-colored to match the uniform…What if I don’t have the money to buy the boots?
A. We will work with you on this issue. You may be given a pay advance to purchase the boots or you may be allowed to continue with your personal boots until such time as you can purchase the necessary style.
Q. How long do I spend in CRC, and what is the purpose? What is CRC? Why do I have to go through CRC? Where is CRC?
A. Conus Replacement Center (CRC) is a course which is mandated by the DoD for all personnel on this contract. For additional info on CRC, please go to their website, https://www.benning.army.mil/CRC/.
Q. What type of cold weather gear do I need to bring with me?
A. We recommend you bring additional thermal underwear for winter months. There are full stores and a BX at Kandahar which will enable you to purchase any items that you may need once you arrive in country.
Q. Can we get mail?
A. You will have access to Military APO mail service. Mail arrives at Kandahar Air Field where our management staff receive it. They then coordinate its shipment out to your assigned FOB.
You will be authorized to ship items to this address once you complete your certification. The cost of any items mailed is your responsibility. The Company will not be responsible for the loss of any items shipped through the military postal service.
Q. What are the living conditions like? How big are the living quarters?
A. Living conditions will vary from FOB to FOB. You will receive the same, or better, living conditions as the military units assigned to your FOB.
Q. I'm having trouble getting on the CRC website, what do I do?
A. Most web browsers will stop prior to loading an HTTPS web page. You will have to select the option to continue in your browser in order to view the site.
Q. Can I use my personal cell phone in Afghanistan?
A. Certain cell phones may work but will likely incur additional charges. Local cell phones and calling cards can be purchased at Kandahar Air Field.
Q. There is confusion about the medical process. What do I need to do and how do I get Malaria pills (Doxycycline)?
A. Please refer to the CRC website for initial medical information. We recommend that you print out the list of requirements and take them to your medical provider. It is important to ensure that you have a 90 day supply of any prescription medication.
AMK9 has established a process which will allow you to see a medical expediter on the 4th day of processing CRC. The expediter will ensure that all medical paperwork is up to date and issue the required Malaria pills (Doxycycline). The cost of this processing and medication will be paid for by AMK9. If it is identified by the screener that additional medical treatments are required then the additional treatments will be completed at the expediters offices. AMK9/RONCO will initially cover the cost of these treatments but the costs will be deducted from the individual's first paycheck.
Q. Regarding CRC, what is the Theatre Clearance?
A. You will have an opportunity to complete this on-line training at CRC.
Q. Do I need a visa for travelling?
A. No visa is required. However you must have a valid and current passport.
Q. When do I receive my Identification Card (CAC, DD1173)?
A. You will receive your CAC card either during your time at Hill Country or when you process through CRC.
Q. When do I receive my ID Tags (Dog Tags)?
A. If issued, you will receive these at CRC.
Q. Do I receive reimbursement for excess baggage?
A. The cost of excess baggage while travelling to and from Hill Country will be your responsibility. The Company will reimburse you up to $150.00 dollars for excess baggage when travelling from CRC to Afghanistan. You will be responsible for maintaining any excess baggage receipts and turning them in to your Company representative at Kandahar.
Q. Am I covered by insurance?
A. While in Afghanistan you will be covered by the Company with Defense Base Act Insurance (DBA). Additional insurance options may be available in the future.
Q. What is the pay schedule?
A. The pay period runs from the 15th to the 14th with payroll being deposited on the first of the following month.
Q. Will I travel with my dog to Afghanistan?
A. There are multiple movement options for the canines and you may or may not be travelling with your assigned canine.
Q. How is travel handled?
A. The Company will make all travel arrangements. All flights are via standard civilian charter. Expediters in various regions, such as Dubai, will assist with movement and processing as needed.
Q. Do I need to bring any equipment with me to Hill Country?
A. You only need to bring proper clothing for training. You are authorized to bring your personal leash or gear, however the training staff at Hill Country may need to inspect it for safety reasons (i.e. no worn down leashes which might snap).
Q. Will there be a break between my K-9 Certification and processing CRC?
A. There may be a delay between certification and CRC based on the availability of CRC classes. You will continue at the standard per diem rate until you are able to attend CRC. Personnel will remain at Hill Country while waiting to process CRC.
Q. How does my vacation pay work?
A. You will receive $2,500.00 for each vacation. You will receive half of your vacation allowance prior to your departure minus the cost of your ticket between Kandahar Air Field and Dubai, UAE. You will receive the remainder of your vacation allowance in the payroll following your return to Kandahar.
Q. Are vacations paid?
A. Yes. You will continue to receive your standard monthly rate while on vacation.
Q. Will I receive body armor?
A. You will receive standard military body armor when you process through CRC.
Q. What is SPOT, CVS, and LOAs and what do I need to do about them?
A. These are processes which are completed by the Company in order to allow you to process through CRC, receive your CAC card, and travel to Afghanistan. The Company will notify you if additional input or actions on your part are required, however the Registration Form you complete typically has all the information necessary for us to complete these requirements.