MCRD Parris Island -- Forget the Depot mascot, this devil dog has teeth, claws and a whole lot of attitude to back up it up.
Military working dogs have been working closely with the military police around the Corps to keep bases safe and drug-free, and Parris Island is no different.
It takes a special person and a special breed of dog to join the Marines.
Only two breeds of dogs, the Belgian Malinois and the German Shepherds can ever become military working dogs.
"These breeds were chosen because they are intelligent, they have a good temperament and have good senses,"said Cpl. Ryan Head, a military working-dog handler for the provost marshal's office on Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. "They also have a high-drive and adapt well."
All of the working dogs on Parris Island come from MCAS Beaufort to support he safety of Parris Island.
With the help of these ferocious devil dogs, the military police on Parris Island are able to search for narcotics, explosives and missing recruits, while providing added security to the Depot.
It takes more to be a military working dog than just being born into the right breed.
The dogs undergo a six-month training course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. There, they are trained in obedience, searching and narcotics or explosive detection. The ones that graduate are then sent to the Fleet Marine Force and are assigned to handlers.
Being a handler isn't easy either.
"At the school, they ask who wants to be a K-9 handler,"Head said. "You have to write a 500-word essay on why you want to be a handler, be at the top of your class and prove yourself to a board."
Being a dog handler is unlike any other job in the military because each dog is different and it requires knowing that dog's personality.
"Their personalities are just like people,"Head said. "They can be hard-headed, aggressive or passive."
Head said his dog, Rico, is"insane" and is constantly moving at 110 miles an hour, but wouldn't leave without him.
"I would rather have my dog in situations like bomb threats, drug sweeps and deployments,"Head said. "He's an asset and your best friend."
Head explained there is no better friend overseas than a dog who loves you because there is no doubt he will die for you.
Although Head and Rico aren't deployed overseas now, they are serving together protecting Parris Island and keeping it safe.
Visitor's day and graduations will always be a special day on Parris Island. Head, Rico and the rest of the K-9 team will also be sure to make it a safe day for all who visit the Depot.