Michael Ocker

• Mentored new Staff, sharing best practices and providing guidance to assist them adapt to their new roles successfully.
• Managed Cadet behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
• Assessed Cadet performance regularly using both formative and summative assessments to inform and educate in Leadership training and planning.
• Communicated frequently with parents, Cadets, and Faculty to provide feedback and discuss performance strategies.

TAC Instructors foster personal development with daily interaction and the ability to teach, advise, and coach Cadets.

• TAC's serves "in loco parentis" for boarding and day students. Instruct Cadets with emphasis on Leadership with young men from seventh through twelfth grade to include Post graduates
• Oversee overall safety to provide secure environment by ensuring rules and policies were enforced and implementing disciplinary measures as appropriate
• Instructing, evaluating, and counseling to develop progress of Cadets. As Company TAC daily responsibilities were to train, mentor, and influence students by being a positive role model by upholding values and mission of the Academy
• Administer guidance to Cadet Leaders and their subordinates
• Developed exemplary training programs for team members, which were informative and educational

• Provide handling and training support for concept projects company had been contracted to perform
• Prepare canine teams for specific tasks for agencies, to include Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security

Prior to retirement from State of Maryland, designed and built a pet boarding / dog training facility specializing in providing secure, comfortable, and stress-free environment for dogs and cats.

• Instructed basic, novice, and advanced obedience, as well as therapy dog classes
• Specialized in behavior modification for problem dogs
• Contracted by Hagerstown Community College for instructing classes for Veterinary Assistant and Pet Grooming programs
• Volunteered in training and instruction for local law enforcement agencies and search and rescue organization
• Promoted business via social media to generate leads and maximize brand identity

• Selected, trained, and implemented two 12 man teams to conduct special operations for Maryland Department of Public Safety
• Teams were trained to be proficient in special reaction missions, hostage recovery, active shooter scenarios, protective services, civil disturbances, and physical security missions, which included two tactical patrol dog teams
• Responsible for initiating incident command organization and evaluating emergency exercises
• Retired rank of Major, June 2006
  

Began career in Corrections as dual purpose dog handler. With prior experience as Military Working Dog Handler, was appointed as units trainer and promoted to regional K-9 supervisor.

• 1999 accepted position of K-9 Unit Commander, responsible for initiating and implementing new policies and procedures as well as overall success of operations, training, and management for all K-9 Teams serving under Maryland Department of Public Safety
• Directly or indirectly supervised staff from K-9 Headquarters with an average of 30 K-9 Teams from three regions across Maryland.
• Teams provided Patrol and Detection assets in order to enhance physical security and contraband control at Correctional Institutions and other state facilities or special missions in support of other agencies
• Duties consisted primarily of Law Enforcement Missions utilizing special capabilities of canine teams. Tasks included enhancing physical security and conducting searches in buildings, housing and barracks, vehicles, equipment, packages, mail, aircraft, baggage, and persons
• Maintained custody and security requirements for weapons and narcotic training aids
• Assisted regional police departments and correctional agencies with initial and concurrent training to maintain certification standards
• Trained and/or supervised training for more than 30 dog teams that certified USPCA for detection and patrol. Several dog teams placed in the top three for consecutive years in National Detection Trials
• Developed and implemented performance improvement strategies and plans to promote continuous improvement

Began service as a Military Policeman at Fort Meade, Maryland. Additional skill as Military Working Dog Handler initiated while stationed in Fort Gulick, Panama.

• Received training in Patrol and Detection at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
• Appointed as training NCO for the Military Working Dog Section, Fort Benning, Georgia
• Planned and supervised concurrent training for proficiency in patrol, narcotic, and explosive detection teams in order to meet or exceed standards in accordance with Army and DOD regulations
• Completed active duty in January 1987
• Continued service in Military Police Corps Active Reserve Components
• Promoted to position of Platoon Sergeant with the 200th Military Police Company
• Promoted to First Sergeant for 29th MP Company, and as Provost Marshalls Sergeants Major with 29th Infantry Division
• Responsible for additional training and for supervision of Military Police
• Planned and supervised MP Missions during Law Enforcement and Battlefield Operations
• Deployments included Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Bosnia
• Military tenure has provided many unique opportunities to learn and share operational practices and training with military and civilian agencies throughout US and foreign countries
• Retired in June 2004