Meet Chesty, the puppy who will become the next Marine Corps mascot

Chesty, the next Marine Corps mascot, takes a nap before his departure to his future home at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. The 9-week-old pedigree English bulldog will become the Corps’ mascot after the completion of obedience and recruit training (Photos by Chesty Sgt. Dengrier M. Baez/Released)

For all their saltiness, most Marines love dogs.

That statement is backed by nothing other than five years of experience covering the Marine Corps and the war in Afghanistan. Still, I’ll go out on a limb and say new photographs released by Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., will be a hit.

Depicted in them is Chesty, a 9-week-old English bulldog who will soon take over as the Marine Corps mascot, serving at a variety of ceremonies and functions in the region, officials said. First, however, the puppy must attend obedience school and “recruit training.” I can only assume the drill instructors are nicer.

Marine officials said Chesty is currently in the care of Staff Sgt. Jason Mosser, a member of the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, and his wife, Christine, who serves as an assistant family readiness officer at the barracks.

Chesty comes from five generations of championship bulldogs bred by a mother-daughter team, Sara Gomez and Abigail Callahan from Stephens City, Va.

The Corps posted a full slide show online here. Let us know your favorites.

Chesty, future Marine Corps mascot, sits on the red carpet in front of the Home of the Commandants in Washington on Thursday waiting to meet Bonnie Amos, wife of Commandant Gen. James F. Amos.