11-week old 'Devil Dog' steps in as new Depot Mascot

28 Mar 2006 | Cpl. Brian Kester Marine Corps Training and Education Command

He is only 12-inches long, covered with white and brown hair and barks at the wall. Yet, the Marine Corps wants him to be one of the few, the proud.

His name, temporarily, is Hummer, and soon he will be going through recruit training to earn the title of Marine. He will then stand among a long list, including Lance Cpl. Mac and Cpl. Hashmark who have served as Depot Mascots and represented the proud tradition at Parris Island.

"They are going to try to get him attached to a platoon," said Cpl. Jenna Bender,  S-4 logistics clerk, Headquarters and Service Battalion and Depot Mascot handler. "They want to have him in the spotlight, so he can become a Marine."

He will accompany recruits at various points during training simulating his transition into a Marine.

"When he begins his role as the Depot mascot depends on his ability to train," said Col. James A. Dixon, commanding officer, H&SBn. "First, we are going to take him to all of the places [recruits train], like the yellow footprints."

Hummer already has a keen mind, absorbing instruction at the early age of 11 weeks.

"He is one of the best puppies I have ever had," said Bender. "He learned to sit the first week I had him. I think he is going to be a great dog to represent Parris Island."

To simulate the transformation into a Marine, Hummer will follow recruits through several trainings events before earning the title of Depot Mascot.

Bender, with the help of Lance Cpl. Steve Crabbe, animal control officer for Parris Island Military Police District, will teach Hummer how to stay, come when called, lie down and roll over.

The pup will go through obedience training so he will learn the discipline it takes to perform his duties without barking or acting up in a public scenario.

"[Right now] he is working on learning who the boss is," said Bender. "He is being socialized. It helps [him] to have interaction with other dogs."

Hummer's responsibilities aboard the Depot begin by spending time every week in the Depot's Douglas Visitors' Center, where he will greet the graduation day visitors.

"He will also have to be at the Eagle, Globe and Anchor Ceremony, graduations and morning colors," said Bender, who has been around dogs her whole life. "Anytime we are told to have him somewhere, he will be there."

The mascot has a pen inside the Douglas Visitors Center, that was built especially for him by Depot personnel, where he will have room to roam, but can't get loose.

"It is cool to put something together that everybody on the base will see, it took a lot of work," Sgt. David Carlson, Weapons and Field Training Battalion maintenance carpenter.

The pen was constructed with a puppy in mind and contains the mascot's doghouse.

Every quarter, the Mascot's ceremonial handling duties will be rotated out to the H&SBn. Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter.

"[Their] responsibilities will be to handle and escort the dog during his duties at the Eagle, Globe and Anchor Ceremonies," said Dixon.

Hummer was born in Valdosta, Ga., to the same breeder that breeds the University of Georgia mascots, said Bender.

"One of his cousins is working at the University of Georgia," added Bender. "[Hummer] could easily have been a show dog."

That being said, Hummer is a show dog, of sorts, and will proudly cary on the duties of Depot Mascot.

If any Marine has an idea or suggestion for the Depot Mascot's name, please submit it to Cpl. Bender at jenna.bender@usmc.mil.

Marine Corps Training and Education Command