Reu'ben Chisholm
Explosives Canine Instructor
Westbury,NY
Summary
Dedicated canine professional with over 21 years of (K9 experience)15 years of military and security operations, achieving a 100% efficiency rate in Military Working Dog (MWD) performance for over a decade, and 10 years of civillian K9 experience with the Department of Homeland Security/TSA. Extensive background in training for live explosives and narcotic detection, complemented by five consecutive combat deployments, demonstrates a commitment to excellence in high-stakes environments. Proven ability to supervise personell, conduct real world training scenarios, adapt to situations, and work well with and without a team. An advocate for public service, fostering morale through strategic initiatives and collaboration with team members domestic and international partners, while effectively communicating organizational goals and objectives. Overall accomplishing any mission with zeal, efficiency, effectively, while navigating a morale compass.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Regional Canine Instructor
Department Of Homeland Security, TSA
08.2021 - Current
- Developed and delivered training programs for TSA-K9 personnel, enhancing operational effectiveness and compliance.
- Facilitated workshops on Training and protocols, improving knowledge retention among K9 members.
- Evaluated K9-Teams for relevance and accuracy, ensuring alignment with current regulations.
- Mentored new K9-Teams, fostering professional growth and consistency in training delivery.
- Implemented feedback mechanisms to assess training impact, driving continuous improvement initiatives.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to design curricula addressing emerging security challenges.
- Led assessments of instructional methodologies, enhancing overall training quality and engagement levels.
- Spearheaded strategic planning sessions to align training objectives with organizational goals and priorities.
- Promoted a positive learning environment by establishing clear expectations and maintaining consistent classroom management techniques.
- Tracked student progress, frequently checking in with struggling students and identifying root causes of problems.
- Boosted student performance by providing individualized support and targeted feedback.
- Initiated new learning methods, eliminating instructional gaps and improving comprehension.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on educational trends and enhance teaching effectiveness.
- Increased student motivation by developing engaging lesson plans that catered to various learning styles.
- Evaluated student assessments to identify areas of growth and improvement, adjusting instructional strategies accordingly.
- Observed and adopted new techniques from skilled instructors and lecturers.
- Optimized day-to-day instruction to align educational strategies with industry best practices.
- Fostered positive learning environment, encouraging students to express their ideas and questions freely.
- Salary: 142,000/year
- Pay Plan: I Band
- hours per week: 40+
- Supervisor: Nathan Chase
- Supervisor Phone: 917-324-8284
Explosive Detection Canine Handler
Department of Homeland Security/Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Charlotte Douglass International Airport
07.2020 - 08.2021
- Ensuring security compliance and the safety of personnel, stakeholders, and employees while conducting systematic searches of personnel flying and entering the airport facility. Recognizing and understanding the traveling public's customer service needs and balancing these needs with safety and security. Working independently to help coordinate local crisis management and incident protocols. Providing an overt and covert presence in high visibility activities to detect and reduce identified security threats/vulnerabilities using a military working canine. Courier of Hazmat-(Explosives)
- Salary: $65,000/year
- Pay Plan: H
- Hours per week: 40
- Supervisor: Kenneth Malone
- Supervisor Phone: (704) 972-6932
- Okay to contact this Supervisor: Yes
Assistant Trainer/Explosives Detection Canine Handler
Department of Homeland Security/TSA, JFK International Airport
09.2016 - 07.2020
- Assistant Trainer - Helping to evaluate and support handlers in support of the NEDCTP. Working independently of the trainer on most days to help handlers with training assignments and guidance. Presenting material following approved lesson plans and course control documents. Using discretion to assess onsite conditions to create realistic training scenarios that will be effective in real-world situations. Building a rapport and lasting bond with the canine and the handler. Gaining knowledge of each canine and handler's temperament (good and bad behavior) while creating a welcoming learning environment.
- Explosives Detection Canine Handler - Ensuring security compliance and safety of personnel, stakeholders, and employees while conducting systematic searches of personnel flying and entering the airport facility. Recognizing and understanding the traveling public's customer service needs and balancing these needs with safety and security. Working independently to help coordinate local crisis management and incident protocols. Providing an overt and covert presence in high visibility activities to detect and reduce identified security threats/vulnerabilities using a military working canine. Courier of Hazmat-(Explosives)
- Salary: $75,000/year
- Pay Plan: H
- Hours per week: 40
- Supervisor: John Rugg
- Supervisor Phone: (516) 303-6068
- Okay to contact this Supervisor: Yes
Sergeant (Promotable)
United States Army Reserves
08.2014 - 02.2016
- Preparing concise and accurate reports of investigations, inspections, and allegations.
- Salary: $11,000/year
- Hours per week: 16
- Additional Duties, Accomplishments, and Related Skills: Serving (on standby) with an MP unit to provide combat support, combat service support, peacekeeping, nation-building, and civil support. Supporting humanitarian and relief operations.
- Okay to contact this Supervisor: NA
K9 Handler in Charge of Narcotics
United States Army/USAG Yongsan Garrison
02.2013 - 08.2014
- Conducting investigations and inspections of allegations to determine violations of laws, regulations, and procedures. Preparing concise and accurate reports of investigations, inspections, and allegations. Conducting criminal investigations for internal investigations. Investigating of possible violations of criminal laws and regulations and other irregularities. Serving as liaison with other key law enforcement and investigative personnel in other departments and agencies. Identifying, collecting, examining, and preserving evidence using controlled and documented analytical and investigative techniques. Analyzing and summarizing investigations by undertaking and documenting these investigations in accordance with professional standards. Handling, reviewing, accessing, and protecting classified, sensitive, and other information that, if not protected, could potentially cause exceptionally grave damage to national security. Courier of Various Hazmat-(Explosives/Narcotics)
- Salary: $70,000/year
- Grade: E-5
- Hours per week: 40
- Additional Duties, Accomplishments, and Related Skills: Conducting inspections and supporting criminal investigations relating to alleged/suspected security violations. Training junior personnel and maintaining narcotics training aids. Responding to threats, violations, and potential security incidents. Identifying, collecting, and preserving evidence used to support enforcement actions. Preparing reports and entering data regarding investigations, inspections, and incidents. Assisting in formulating recommended and alternative courses of action.
- Supervisor: SFC Black/Retired
- Okay to contact this Supervisor: NA
Narcotics Supervisor of K9s/Narcotics Detection Canine Handler
United States Army/Fort Myer
06.2009 - 02.2013
- Conducting investigations and inspections of allegations to determine violations of laws, regulations, and procedures. Preparing concise and accurate reports of investigations, inspections, and allegations. Conducting criminal investigations for internal investigations. Investigating of possible violations of criminal laws and regulations and other irregularities. Serving as liaison with other key law enforcement and investigative personnel in other departments and agencies. Identifying, collecting, examining, and preserving evidence using controlled and documented analytical and investigative techniques. Analyzing and summarizing investigations by undertaking and documenting these investigations in accordance with professional standards. Handling, reviewing, accessing, and protecting classified, sensitive, and other information that, if not protected, could potentially cause exceptionally grave damage to national security. Courier of Various Hazmat-(Explosives/Narcotics)
- Salary: $59,000/year
- Hours per week: 60
- Additional Duties, Accomplishments, and Related Skills: Conducting quarterly inspections and investigations while supporting criminal investigations relating to alleged/suspected security violations. Training junior personnel and maintaining narcotics training aids valued at over $850K. Responding to threats, violations, and potential security incidents as directed by the appropriate authority and the National Incident Management systems. Identifying, collecting, and preserving evidence used to support enforcement actions. Preparing reports and entering data regarding investigations, inspections, and incidents into a military database. Assisting in formulating recommended and alternative courses of action to satisfy security requirements as requested by regulated parties. Serving as a technical authority on supply, transportation, facilities, cataloging, personal property accountability, and inventory management operations.
- Supervisor: SFC McKinney/Retired
- Supervisor Phone: (703) 696-3149
- Okay to contact this Supervisor: Yes
Explosives Detection Canine Handler
United States Army/Patrick Henry Village Army Base
10.2008 - 06.2009
- Conducting investigations and inspections of allegations to determine violations of laws, regulations, and procedures. Preparing concise and accurate reports of investigations, inspections, and allegations. Conducting criminal investigations for internal investigations. Investigating of possible violations of criminal laws and regulations and other irregularities. Serving as liaison with other key law enforcement and investigative personnel in other departments and agencies. Identifying, collecting, examining, and preserving evidence using controlled and documented analytical and investigative techniques. Analyzing and summarizing investigations by undertaking and documenting these investigations in accordance with professional standards. Handling, reviewing, accessing, and protecting classified, sensitive, and other information that, if not protected, could potentially cause exceptionally grave damage to national security. Courier of Various Hazmat-(Explosives/Narcotics)
- Salary: $42,000/year
- Hours per week: 50
- Additional Duties, Accomplishments, and Related Skills: Serving as a subject matter expert in explosives and narcotics detection. Deploying to various countries, working with forces, including Special Forces, Infantry, and Artillery, searching for those that would harm American Forces. Working side by side with American and Coalition Forces at ECP checkpoints and screenings. Deploying six times, four of those times with K9 as a narcotics handler and an explosives handler. Overseeing screening procedures, processes (mail, baggage, cargo, etc.), and performance as a canine handler. Managing multiple locations simultaneously, including off-site locations. Using seasoned technical and program management expertise to complete work independently. Apprising management of issues that may require and represent significant shifts in operations, policies, and procedures. Serving as the supervisor in charge of checkpoint operations at a terminal on the airbase, spoke locations, front gates, towers, and particular shifts. Managing and supporting the collection of various performance metrics to identify areas in need of process improvement and systemic/individual weaknesses, vulnerabilities, and inefficiencies in the screening process. Assisting with coordinating local crisis management and incident response protocols. Recognizing and understanding the traveling public's customer service needs and balancing these needs with safety and security. Monitoring individual performance and providing frequent communication to promote development.
- Supervisor: SFC James Crane/Retired
- Okay to contact this Supervisor: NA
Criminal Investigations Officer
United States Army CID/Fort Stewart
09.2003 - 10.2004
- Applying professional legal, engineering and scientific data concepts, theories, and practices to investigate allegations that directly impact NRC's ability to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety, promote the common defense and security, and protect the environment. Conducting investigations and inspections of allegations to determine violations of laws, regulations, and procedures. Preparing concise and accurate reports of investigations, inspections, and allegations. Conducting criminal investigations in the following areas: internal investigations; technology; procurement fraud. Investigating of possible violations of criminal laws and regulations and other irregularities. Supporting highly sensitive and highly complex investigative technical matters in legal, engineering and scientific areas. Serving as liaison with other key law enforcement and investigative personnel in other departments and agencies. Identifying, collecting, examining, and preserving evidence using controlled and documented analytical and investigative techniques. Analyzing and summarizing investigations by undertaking and documenting these investigations in accordance with professional standards. Handling, reviewing, accessing, and protecting classified, sensitive, and other information that, if not protected, could potentially cause exceptionally grave damage to national security.
- Salary: $32,000/year
- Hours per week: 40
- Additional Duties, Accomplishments, and Related Skills: Planning, developing, and conducting criminal investigations into computer intrusions, related national security threats, and other serious cyber-crime affecting the Department of the Army and the nation's critical infrastructure. Analyzing complex data. Obtaining and executing subpoenas, search warrants, and arrest warrants. Processing crime scenes and collecting evidence. Identifying investigative leads and determining the best methods to follow those leads to identify, arrest, and prosecute the responsible parties. Conducting proactive cyber-crime prevention surveys to identify vulnerabilities before criminals can exploit them. Reviewing and preparing interim and final reports of felony criminal investigations.
- ACCOMPLISHMENTS - Attended K9 school from June 2004 through October 2004 then transitioned to Explosives Detection K9 Handler and deployed to Germany.
- Supervisor: Williams/Retired
- Supervisor Phone: (912) 435-0645
- Okay to contact this Supervisor: Yes
Military Police Officer/Supply Officer
United States Army/Bad Kreuznach-Weisbaden
01.2002 - 09.2003
- Conducting investigations and inspections of allegations to determine violations of laws, regulations, and procedures. Preparing concise and accurate reports of investigations, inspections, and allegations. Conducting criminal investigations for internal investigations. Investigating of possible violations of criminal laws and regulations and other irregularities. Serving as liaison with other key law enforcement and investigative personnel in other departments and agencies. Identifying, collecting, examining, and preserving evidence using controlled and documented analytical and investigative techniques. Analyzing and summarizing investigations by undertaking and documenting these investigations in accordance with professional standards. Handling, reviewing, accessing, and protecting classified, sensitive, and other information that, if not protected, could potentially cause exceptionally grave damage to national security.
- Salary: $19,000/year
- Hours per week: 60
- Additional Duties, Accomplishments, and Related Skills: Performing control desk duties, including providing directions to officers on various patrols and shifts and coordinating emergency responses between local officers, fire, and other emergency units. Receiving and acting on calls concerning reports of violations/complaints. Planning and scheduling the personnel workload. Planning, formulating, and recommending measures to protect the facility from criminal acts. Managing the operational status of police officers assigned to the shift who are involved in law enforcement, traffic control, investigations, and patrol activities. Ensuring compliance with and enforcing a full range of federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations as they pertain to law enforcement work. Participating in the development of performance standards, observing work performance, and evaluating employee's performance. Identifying developmental/training needs of employees and arranging for development courses and training. Serving as a first-line supervisor while planning, directing, and reviewing personnel activities. Engaging in the protection and enforcement of a government facility and the property thereon. Maintaining law and order and preserving peace. Working overtime, nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotational basis around a 24-hour day, five days per week. Providing security and access control. Searching and securing buildings and evacuating personnel. Making arrests and enforcing federal and state laws. Conducting investigations and interviewing suspects. Carrying out surveillance and performing inspections. Analyzing data requiring the ability to integrate complex and conflicting facts and arriving at well-reasoned solutions. Interacting with other enforcement agencies, legal professionals, and news media. Subduing dangerous persons and carrying out defensive tactics including handcuffing drills, hand-to-hand combat, and intermediate weapons use.
- Supervisor: SFC L. Dorsey/Retired
- Okay to contact this Supervisor: NA
Personal Security Detail
United States Army/Weisbaden Airfield
09.2000 - 01.2002
- Applying professional legal, engineering and scientific data concepts, theories, and practices to investigate allegations that directly impact NRC's ability to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety, promote the common defense and security, and protect the environment. Conducting investigations and inspections of allegations to determine violations of laws, regulations, and procedures. Preparing concise and accurate reports of investigations, inspections, and allegations. Conducting criminal investigations for internal investigations. Investigating of possible violations of criminal laws and regulations and other irregularities. Serving as liaison with other key law enforcement and investigative personnel in other departments and agencies. Identifying, collecting, examining, and preserving evidence using controlled and documented analytical and investigative techniques. Analyzing and summarizing investigations by undertaking and documenting these investigations in accordance with professional standards. Handling, reviewing, accessing, and protecting classified, sensitive, and other information that, if not protected, could potentially cause exceptionally grave damage to national security.
- Salary: $19,000/year
- Hours per week: 60
- Additional Duties, Accomplishments, and Related Skills: Reading travel instructions to determine travel routes, arrival dates, and cargo types. Ensuring vehicles are loaded properly and operating vehicles over all types of roads while traveling alone and in convoys. Verifying that oil, fuel, and other fluid levels are up to standard. Servicing vehicles, performing routine maintenance/repairs, and maintaining records of mileage and fuel/oil consumption. Maintaining knowledge of all convoy standard operating procedures and team leader duties. Maintaining and servicing assigned vehicles to ensure 100% readiness and reliability at all times. Accumulating more than 83K miles driving a non-emergency tactical vehicle with no accidents/incidents. Providing security and law enforcement support for offensive and defensive operations. Providing personnel security on numerous occasions while in Iraq, including protecting the Unit Commander, sergeant majors, colonels, generals, VIPs, dignitaries, and presidents. Serving as a technical authority on supply, transportation, facilities, cataloging, personal property accountability, and inventory management operations. Assisting with management on the most cost-effective acquisition methods and utilization of property. Managing accountable property receipts, ensuring all hand receipt holders, property managers, and personnel are informed of their individual responsibilities. Overseeing support maintenance agreements, commercial maintenance contracts, and equipment maintenance operations. Assisting with developing pre-operational communications plans and driving routes. Conducting operational briefings relating to tactical and wireless communications. Directly supporting officer/soldier safety and operational security by ensuring reliable, effective, and secure law enforcement communications. Participating directly with criminal investigators and other law enforcement officers in active criminal investigations, law enforcement operations, Special Response Team/Rapid Response Team deployments, and national contingency operations. Overseeing the protection of mobile command centers under arduous conditions and at a substantial risk due to the nature of the operation and contingency supported such as natural disasters. Ensuring and supporting tactical communications in situations that expose personnel to potentially hazardous operational, environmental, and general working conditions relating to tactical communications.
- Supervisor: SFC L. Dorsey/Retired
- Okay to contact this Supervisor: NA
Education
Associate of Science - Emergency Management
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY08-2025
Associate of Applied Science - Canine
Canine Instructors Course
LackLand Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas02-2022
Skills
- Strong communication skills
- Effective public speaking
- Subject matter expertise
- Facilitating group instruction
- Proficient in group dynamics
- Adaptable teaching approach
- Collaboration and rapport building
- Cross-cultural understanding
- Counseling for personal development
- Improvement of problem-solving abilities
- Relationship-building skills
- Effective conflict resolution
- Constructive feedback
Accomplishments
- Achieved 99%-pass rate through conducting effective training.
- Supervised team of 24 staff members and K9.
Affiliations
- DAV - Member
- Wounded Warriors - Member
Certification
- Explosive -SME-Canine Training/ License - February2022
- Licensed Canine Instructor - February 2022
- Certified Regional Canine Instructor, Department of Homeland Security/TSA - February 2022
- Certified K9-Explosive/Handler, DHSTSA - 2016-2021
- Certified [JK9-Explosive/Narcotic Handler], [USArmy] - 2004-2014
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Interests
- I participate in low-impact exercises to strengthen core muscles
- Adventure Travel
- Exploring various forms of art, such as Writing, Photography/Drawing, and Music, to nurture creativity and personal growth
Job-Related Training
- Advanced Leaders Course (ALC)
- Warriors Leaders Course (WLC)
- Military Working Dog (MWD) Handlers Course
- Hazmat Training
Additional Information
- BASIC REQUIREMENTS
- I am a U.S. citizen.
- Legal Age-over 21
- SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE
- 3 years of experience applying professional legal, engineering and scientific data concepts, theories, and practices to investigate allegations that directly impact NRC's ability to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety, promote the common defense and security, and protect the environment.
- 15 years of experience conducting investigations and inspections of allegations to determine violations of laws, regulations, and procedures.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- EXPERT ATTENTION TO DETAIL - I am thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
- CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION skills - I demonstrate knowledge of the guidelines, regulations, and procedures associated with criminal investigation, including evidence detection and handling and drawing appropriate factual inferences and conclusions.
- Expert CUSTOMER SERVICE skills - I work with clients and customers (the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations. I know about available products and services. I am committed to providing high-quality products and services. I anticipate and meet the needs of both internal and external customers. I am committed to continuous improvement.
- INVESTIGATIVE ANALYSIS - I perform a progression of activities or steps moving from evidence gathering tasks, to information analysis, to theory development and validation, to forming reasonable ground to believe, and finally to the arrest and charge of a suspect.
- Advanced ORAL COMMUNICATION skills - I express information (ideas or facts) to individuals and groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (technical, sensitive, controversial). I make clear and convincing oral presentations. I listen to others effectively, attend to nonverbal cues, clarify information as needed and respond appropriately.
- Expert PROBLEM SOLVING skills - I identify and analyze problems and determine accuracy and relevance of information. I use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternative solutions, and to make recommendations.
- Expert WRITTEN COMMUNICATION skills - I write in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
- A transportation-courier of various types of hazmat materials while working for the Government.
Timeline
Regional Canine Instructor
Department Of Homeland Security, TSA
08.2021 - Current
Explosive Detection Canine Handler
Department of Homeland Security/Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Charlotte Douglass International Airport
07.2020 - 08.2021
Assistant Trainer/Explosives Detection Canine Handler
Department of Homeland Security/TSA, JFK International Airport
09.2016 - 07.2020
Sergeant (Promotable)
United States Army Reserves
08.2014 - 02.2016
K9 Handler in Charge of Narcotics
United States Army/USAG Yongsan Garrison
02.2013 - 08.2014
Narcotics Supervisor of K9s/Narcotics Detection Canine Handler
United States Army/Fort Myer
06.2009 - 02.2013
Explosives Detection Canine Handler
United States Army/Patrick Henry Village Army Base
10.2008 - 06.2009
Criminal Investigations Officer
United States Army CID/Fort Stewart
09.2003 - 10.2004
Military Police Officer/Supply Officer
United States Army/Bad Kreuznach-Weisbaden
01.2002 - 09.2003
Personal Security Detail
United States Army/Weisbaden Airfield
09.2000 - 01.2002
Associate of Science - Emergency Management
Nassau Community College
Associate of Applied Science - Canine
Canine Instructors Course