"The Gunny" Speaks: Saving Private K9

posted on May 15, 2014
R.Lee-Ermey-2.jpg

We recently had a chance to speak to everybody's favorite Gunnery Sergeant, R. Lee "The Gunny" Ermey, about some of his latest projects. Chief among these is his newest TV show, "Saving Private K9." So, square yourself away and listen up, recruits!

American Rifleman: It was exciting to see you at the 143rd NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Indianapolis; that was the first time many people had heard about your new TV show, “Saving Private K-9,” premiering May 15 on the Sportsman Channel. Did you get to talk to many of your fans about the new show while you were there?

Gunny: Oh yeah, I talked to hundreds of my fans while I was there. People will stand in line for hours to see me and I appreciate that very much. And while I was at the Sportsman Channel booth, I used their speaker system to blast out a message to encourage people to tune in. People are very receptive; we Americans love our dogs. I don’t know of many households that don’t have dogs. I heard at one time the most frequently purchased birthday gift for an eight-year-old boy is a dog.

American Rifleman: With over 122 movies and TV shows to your credit, you must have a lot of demands on your time. What attracted you to being part of this specific project?

Gunny: Mrs. Gunny keeps pointing out that I should think about retiring, but I think not. I’m happy working, so why not continue to work? I can’t think of a more interesting show to present to America than military working dogs. Dogs save lives in the military and police forces, and sometimes are more effective than us humans.

I also visited the WWII dog cemetery in Guam a while back, and that stimulated my interest. I’ve always had dogs growing up and, at one point, we had six in our household. They have always been close to my heart. My first dog’s name was Tippie, a big farm dog, half Collie half something else. Tippie’s job on the farm was to collect the cows for me and bring them up to the barn so we could milk them. She did a great job and was very smart.

American Rifleman: Have the ways in which the military works with dogs changed much since you were an active-duty Marine?

Gunny: I don’t think they've really changed that much. The only things I’ve noticed is that they are using dogs more; they are more dependent on the dogs than before. They realize better now how dogs can save human lives. Their senses are much keener than ours. I would like to see military and law enforcement more active in the retirement with MWDs (military working dogs). I’d like to see these dogs retired to a much more posh environment where they can run and be free. Plus, for those ready for adoption, we need to figure out a way to expedite the process. People are lined up waiting for these dogs for months! These dogs can be retrained and are loving, caring, sweet animals that just require a little love and time. Hopefully through the course of the show it will bring awareness not only on adoption possibilities, but also how intelligent these animals are and they still have a place with us.

American Rifleman: What’s the most rewarding thing about filming this project for you? The toughest?

The Gunny: The most rewarding thing is reuniting handlers with their dogs. When an IED has gone off and the handler is medevaced one way and the dog goes off in another direction, they lose each other. The handler never stops looking for his dog; we’ve found that in several situations. I tell you what, while we are filming, I’m talking to the handler and I’ll look up and the cameraman and sound guys have tears running down their cheeks and facial tissue in hand. There’s not a dry eye in the house.

And these dogs never forget their handlers. They have a keen memory. It is a beautiful thing seeing them reunited with their handlers.

The toughest cases were times when we found the dog had died. We took the handlers to their dog’s gravesite, and that was hard.

American Rifleman: It looks like you’ve got a new book out, Gunny’s Rules: How to Get Squared Away Like a Marine. Tell us: Is there a noun that would apply to someone who doesn’t buy it because they spent all their money on chai lattes?

The Gunny: "Numbnuts" would be the right word. Everyone needs to read this book. I highly recommended anyone in the military read this book; even businessmen will find this a worthy read as it will help them lead-no matter if it’s a meeting they are leading or a company. Young people in their teens seem to really benefit from the guidance, life skills points, and encouragement they receive from reading the book, also.

Readers can learn more about adopting MWDs from the official DoD 37th Training Wing and the Warrior Dog Foundation.

Latest

heavy machine gun crew with DShK on tripod pointing in air above trees
heavy machine gun crew with DShK on tripod pointing in air above trees

Red Fifty: The Soviet 12.7 mm DShK Heavy Machine Gun

While the Browning .50-cal. M2 machine gun has been unequaled for more than a century, John Moses Browning’s genius design has had one significant 12.7 mm competitor: the Soviet DShK.

Support The NRA Youth Education Summit (YES) On Giving Tuesday

With more than 1,200 students having graduated from the program and over $700,000 in scholarships awarded since 1996, NRA's YES is an immersive leadership program for high school students eager to learn about the foundations of our nation, the importance of civic engagement and the role of the Second Amendment.

Rifleman Review: Remington 360 Buckhammer

Remington Ammunition's 360 Buckhammer is a straight-wall hunting cartridge that's designed to give deer hunters an ideal round for their Midwestern hunt.

New For 2025: EAA Girsan Witness2311 Brat, Match and MatchX

European American Armory Corp. (EAA) introduced an affordable variation of the double-stack 1911 design with their Girsan Witness2311 in 2023, continually adding additional chamberings and slide length options. New for 2025, the company is adding three new versions of the Witness2311 with the Match, MatchX and Brat models.

Review: Citadel Trakr

At less than 4 lbs., this repeating rifle is easy on the back while also being extraordinarily easy on the budget.

Freedom Munitions To Move Ammo Component Production To Idaho

Freedom Munitions has announced it will be consolidating its projectile component production from X-Treme Bullets out of Nevada into its Lewiston, Idaho, facilities.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.