U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class George Simoni, Camp

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class George Simoni, Camp Lemonnier master-at-arms and military working dog handler, works with Dax, a 4-and-a-half-year-old German Shepherd military working dog, during a patrol training exercise at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug. 26. According to Dax's handler, U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Patrick Yourg, Camp Lemonnier master-at-arms and K-9 kennel supervisor, Dax is a "friendly and energetic shepherd." Although Dax is the second-youngest member of Camp Lemonnier K-9, he is the ranking member. Military working dogs assume one rank higher than their handler, to ensure they are treated with respect. Simoni hails from Carthage, N.C., and is deployed from Naval Air Station Key West, Fla.