Vietnam Voices: 'If the dog says there's something there, you better figure it out'

Vietnam War veteran Roger Thomsen talks about his experiences. Thomsen was in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970.

[@danmittaul1234]

Pretty incredible how “training” made these guys invincible. Goes to show the importance of mindset.

[@alethamobley6688]

Mind control

[@dcd-pn3sd]

Thanks for a great interview and sharing your experience Mr. Thomsen. Once youve had a German Shepherd, you never want anything else. GSD's are exceptionally intelligent. They are so smart, they also recognize when they are being abused or neglected, which will make them develop an attitude and they will get mean. They are not just a dog you can feed everyday and ignore. They want to be a part of the family and included in everything you do..

[@Tinbender]

Just ran across this interview. Welcome home brother. I spent 19 months in country as a Sentry Dog Handler, we don't get the attention that Scout dog Handlers get, and they deserve it, but we had our moments.

[@donaldjones7678]

I was a grunt in Vietnam 1971. We liked when a scout dog was with us. It was important to have sensitive ears and senses to protect from VC or NVA. We only had a scout dog a few times. Most of the time we didn't have a dog with us. We felt we had an advantage with the dog.

[@jamalydude]

Thank you Donald! I would love if you could share your story . Maybe post it in your channel, would be an absolute treat!

[@jerrycole1530]

I had a friend who was a dog handler in the Air Force, I was in the Army. His dog was so well trained that if my friend had to go in a building on business his dog was given the command to stay and he would stay there for as long as it took for his handler to return. All day long if necessary.

[@braininavatnow9197]

Yea....I was there too...we all loved the dogs.... especially the females in estrus....we would take turns with them releasing our precious bodily fluids deep up their doggy nether zones..it helped to let them lap up a few beers before shooting our little guns....of course most gruntards were totally stoned before going into combat....to this day whenever I see a German Shepherd I get a passionate boner. Sumpter fiy panti boy.

[@nunyaz6798]

@@braininavatnow9197 please tell us more

[@edclay28551]

I have seen sentry dogs, scout dogs, and detection dogs do some amazing things, absolutely amazing.

[@ronsbeerreviewstools4361]

VERY GOOD INTERVIEWS.

[@loricrane5315]

I throughly enjoyed that. I had wondered about the dogs. Many were real hero's and we'll known.

[@DR-ul9mm]

I took my Basic Training at Ft Ord, Cal too, July 1968. I got drafted for two year. I was numb the whole time I was there. I was making good money in 1968. My first pay check I got from the Army was $98.00, a month. My car payment alone was four hundred plus a month.

[@TheMattc999]

$400 a month in 1968, what the hell was it, a Miura?

[@markwarner8336]

I was 8 years old ,I remember my dad's truck payment was 78 dollars a month the truck was a year old in 1968

[@dougdownunder5622]

@@markwarner8336 new car was $2.2k from memory.

[@FishFind3000]

Maybe your current car payment is $400+ unless you were paying it off in 6 months there’s no way it was that high.

[@charlesdenman9052]

Whether it’s dog or horse, be attentive to its ears and body language. They won’t lie to you. They see, hear and smell stuff you can’t. Could be a snake, lion or bear.

[@chrisblue46]

I wonder if the VN dog missed him, as much as he missed the VN dog????

[@daviddawson1718]

Very much so. Dogs bond with people in much the same way as people with dogs.

[@anti-air-conditioning]

The dogs are big at 4 wheel drive

[@mr.peter.l.k]

So dog don't know never saw it himself how come ??? I never saw it aswell , I have different ideas . Actually I am Aware there is device but I don't know what else he doesn't speak what he knows or saw , how the Fuck should I know ??? Because I am Peter ??? Come on ???

[@joanneolson4651]

lz bayonet the interviewer should be a Vietnam vet

[@chrisblue46]

Probably better with someone who doesn't know Army talk??

[@douglaskillian3683]

Falling all over his questions ! Da !

[@johnhutcheson8869]

My first command was 51st Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog) at Ft Benning 1972. All the dogs were RVN vets. A really good off leash scout dog is a wonder to behold. Praise and repetition was the key. Some great memories.

[@braininavatnow9197]

Yea...great sex partners

[@CuHead1]

Like the facets on a diamond. Another look at a different service man and his particular job. Well done interview and thank you Mr. Thomsen, thank you.

[@Mrnobody0070]

Proverbs 25:11 “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”

[@BoggWeasel]

Ordinary people doing extraordinary things, great series, from one who wan't there, thank you very much

[@Ferda1964]

great interview , I mean all the interviews with Vietnam veterans you have done Darrel are so interesting, thank you very much

[@paulwells2417]

Many stories but no anti war tales.

[@terrymcmanus7773]

I’ve been watching these interviews, every night for months , great job , thank you

[@burtthebeast4239]

Welcome home, thank you Sir, God bless you all...

[@spiritsgyre2021]

Those dogs were abandoned to a terrible end, but then so were the POWS and people with US connections.

[@allenhughes12]

My dad was a Combat Tracker in Vietnam. Darrell Hughes, 25th ID, 66th IPCT, 1970-71.

[@jacquelynjohnson9489]

Sending all our love & thankful for your services, to all of you who fought, fighting now & still yet to fight! May God bless 🌹

[@braininavatnow9197]

Bfd

[@violagentsch]

And then the government left these dogs behind. Only used them, just like they used the soldiers. The dogs were given to the Vietnamese wich tortured, slaughtered and ate them. Or just abandoned. Incredible

[@daviddawson1718]

If I go into dangerous territory then I take 1,my dog 2,good boots, and 3 a weapon.

[@murrayscott9546]

Even as a Canadian, I have developed a real taste for this series of interviews. Great concept, thoughtfully executed. Most are so humble, almost dismissive of their contributions. Kudos ! One question missing from this particular interview, though. Did the dog develop a taste for C-Rats ?

[@falconmoose5435]

I wondered the same. Likely on a restricted ration though, as too much fat may create a pancreatic reaction..

[@alethamobley6688]

I askThe same question

[@jeffmclean9411]

Don't forget that approximately 20,000 Canadians volunteered and fought in Vietnam.

[@murrayscott9546]

@@jeffmclean9411 We Remember Them.

[@sgtcrab2569]

@@jeffmclean9411 US Army 65-58 MP. From Nova Scotia.

[@jodimuse18]

Had to be fulfilling to actually do what you were trained for over there. Sounds like that was not the norm for so many. ((Hugs)) thank you for making it home❤️🙏

[@slyflyby]

You are a good man Roger. May God bless you and your family.

[@Brough1111]

Thank you for your service.

[@richardbarry04553]

If I had been sent to Vietnam this is the job I would have wanted to have for sure

[@frankmike9931]

Well, you always the point man...not good...😀

[@richardbarry04553]

@@frankmike9931 I probably wouldn’t have returned

[@carmelmulroy6459]

I don't think I would have liked to be the person in front searching for the enemy.

[@mikestirling7093]

what stuns me is listening to these interviews is you think the talk has only been going for ten minutes or so and no is been gong for 30 plus minutes a sign of a good interviewer and an even better interviewee. kudos to this series a very very important part of your history that needs to be recorded.

[@bobbymarlow7974]

pictures of the vet should be shown

[@richardbarry04553]

Bobby Marlow I agree - I’ve watched a bunch of these interviews and they’re all fantastic. But with each one I’ve thought it would be great to see a photo of these guys in uniform.

[@ronaldwarren5220]

I thank you for your service. Draftee 1967-1969. You had a much different experience than I did.

[@livelurked4103]

Thank you Billings Gazette for giving our veterans a platform to tell their story.

[@delprice3007]

I heard many of the dogs were put down after their service.

[@johns.7609]

Thank you.

[@Brough1111]

I understand moving to Montana such a beautiful State,

[@colemcclain7319]

Thank you for your service

[@darrenstockman9268]

What happened to his dog????

[@SCOTTSBLUFFSKER]

I Just started watching this interview. Hope he doesn't tell folks about what happened to all the dogs we left behind when we bugged out. That would be a bummer for everyone watching.

[@djwbushcraftbusiness1016]

Disgracefull wasnt it..... so unnecessary and so terrible for the handlers.. shame on the U.S army for doing that.. think things have changed now though.. thank God.. bless all that serve...

[@sarahbyrne8501]

Same thing we had to do to our horses. Better off,... how would they cope with city street?...

[@jacquelynjohnson9489]

Were they eaten?

[@dstrong5897]

Knowing what happened to these magnificent dogs.... I just couldn't listen to this interview. But, I am grateful for his service.

[@falconmoose5435]

@@jacquelynjohnson9489 LOL! Oh no! You didn't!

[@maceain]

excellent interview.

[@zombienomad5746]

Love you warriors

[@Sundog0811]

Looking back, these guys should have never left camp. Just send word back to hq that you killed a few enemy that day. Was all for nothing.

[@paulrathbun9500]

I have watched a lot of your interviews…your line of questions are spot on…they illicit honest, genuine and beautiful responses…I missed Vietnam because of my younger age (born 1954)…but it was always on my mind all the way through Saigon and Pol Pot…so just to say…your interviews are beautiful. Thanks.

[@sgtcrab2569]

When I finished MP School at Ft Gordon (March 66) four guys went to Lackland AFB for dog handler school.

[@braindamage396]

Yes. Very interesting interview. I honestly did not know about the significance/military service of dog handlers or dogs in general in Vietnam. Thank you sir for your service. And thank you for your interview regarding this subject. Mile high salute. ✌️

[@carmelmulroy6459]

I have a new found respect for dogs

[@alethamobley6688]

What were the he dogs feed? Sea tastings?

[@bjornnilsson7982]

Cool man, cool dogs

[@lukewarme9121]

I think the movie he was trying to remember was “Platoon”.

[@MistrX44444]

Your lighting is not very good.

[@vincentshelpfulhints4085]

Thank you for sharing your story ,, please keep in mind the people that are thanking you for your service either were children like myself or were not even born yet at the time you were serving please don't have ill feelings towards us

[@falconmoose5435]

Dog- "It's dark...I'm crashing. It has been a hard day. You humans setup the ambush and protect me till morning. Then I will look out for you."

[@fatbowe]

There were NO Malinois in Vietnam 🇻🇳

[@mariekatherine5238]

I just love to hear about the fine animals who have served.

[@HungNguyen-lk6fe]

just like come anh my out the here.

[@ltuomela]

The dog...what happend to the dog after the war..did he keep it? I would have forsure..never hear about the dogs, this was very interesting to me..im a German Shepard guy as well..super loyal, smart dogs and beautiful...

[@falconmoose5435]

They were killed.

[@tonyshapiro5610]

Those poor dogs

[@livelurked4103]

True journalism.

[@JohnDavis-yz9nq]

His lip smacking is annoying as hell

[@carmelmulroy6459]

That can be from medication. Some heart medications can dry out your mouth. Also the older you get the less saliva you produce.