By Buster Barkley, Hilarious.news lead reporter
WASHINGTON — Some career paths begin with a résumé. Recruit Chesty XVII’s began with basic obedience, a short tail and a job title that comes with an entire parade deck watching.
Marine Barracks Washington introduced the young English bulldog as its incoming mascot in a June 19 announcement. The Barracks said Chesty XVII was born March 26 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and would prepare for the role through obedience work, customs and courtesies, physical training and Mascot Training Camp.
That is a remarkably complete orientation packet for a dog whose principal professional qualification may be making a crowd quietly delighted. The Barracks says its mascots are chosen with appearance, temperament and spirit in mind; apparently, the interview process is both demanding and excellent at ear scratches.
A handoff with very large paw prints
At the time of the announcement, Cpl. Chesty XVI remained the 8th & I mascot and was set to continue the Barracks’ ceremonial commitments while the recruit learned the routine. The official account described the senior bulldog as passing along the ropes before retirement.
The public unit page later recorded Chesty XVI appearing during the 2026 Evening Parade season. That does not establish the date of any final handoff, so this story sticks to what the Barracks announced: a young bulldog was training for a very visible ceremonial role while the incumbent remained on duty.
The job is real; the trainee is extremely compact
The Barracks says Mascot Training Camp teaches the precision needed for the Friday Evening Parades at the Oldest Post of the Corps. A caretaker is assigned to the incoming mascot, while the veteran mascot’s caretaker offered a simple bit of canine management advice in the announcement: give the dog room to grow into the responsibility.
Buster’s field note: most apprenticeships involve a lanyard, a calendar invite and an awkward first meeting. This one involves a leash, a parade route and a bulldog trying to become the most reliable small colleague in Washington. That is a serious assignment with unusually good cheeks.
Sources: Marine Barracks Washington’s June 19 announcement on DVIDS; Marine Barracks Washington’s DVIDS unit page.
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