05/08/2024
Trainer Highlight: Chris Willingham
Master Sergeant (retired) Chris Willingham served in the United States Marine Corps from January 1999 to January 2019. Chris dedicated a majority of his career to the Military Working Dog (MWD) Program. Throughout his 20 year career, Chris served as a MWD handler, trainer, instructor and supervisor.
From 2000-2003, Chris served as a Patrol Explosive Detection Dog handler at Provost Marshals Office Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. With his assigned MWD, Tekky, Chris provided force protection and conducted law enforcement operations to include supporting multiple Secret Service missions.
Chris reported to Marine Corps Detachment, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas in February 2003. While assigned to the DoD Dog Training Section, Chris served as a MWD trainer and Team Chief. He was selected to serve as the first Marine instructor for the Specialized Search Dog Handlers (SSD) Course which was newly developed off-leash explosive detection capability. In 2006, Chris completed an advanced Specialized Search Dog course through the Israeli Defense Force Oketz K-9 Unit where he was paired with SSD Lucca. Chris and SSD Lucca completed two tours to Iraq where Lucca was credited with numerous IED finds and responsible for saving countless lives.
In June 2010, Chris led 30 MWD teams to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. These 30 teams performed exceptional in combat and set a high standard for MWD teams.
From 2011 to 2014, Chris served as a Detachment Commander at the United States Embassy in Helsinki, Finland and the Recruiting, Advertising and Screening Chief for the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group at Quantico, Virginia.
Chris reported to 1st Law Enforcement Battalion in September 2014 where he served as the Kennel Master for the Military Working Dog Platoon. In April 2016, he deployed with 8 MWD teams in support of Operation Spartan Shield to establish the first MWD Kennels in Kuwait to support operations throughout the Middle East.
From 2017-2019, Chris served as the Marine Corps Special Operations Command Multi-Purpose Canine Program Manager.