can an army officer have a personal dog?

Hello,

Lots of serving officers do have dogs, but it can be tricky. Not all military accommodation (or military bases) allow dogs, so you may find that it is not possible to have your dog living with you. If you are married or in a long term relationship and live in Service Families Accommodation then you can have a dog there.

You will not be able to bring a dog to RMAS for your officer training, and I don't know of many phase 2 training establishments that allow dogs either.

You would also need to have someone to leave the dog with at short notice for when you go away on deployments or exercises.

I had a dog before I joined the Army, since I joined she has probably spent about 50% of the time living with me, and the other 50% she has had to stay with friends or family because I have either been away or she has not been allowed to live in the mess. So it is possible, but you do need a very understanding family member or friend!