“P.S. Bring packs.” Th is was the famous last message from General George Custer at the Little Bighorn—an urgent plea for the extra ammunition carried by the mule train.

Today, the U.S. Army is again calling on mule packing experts to help win the war in Afghanistan, hopefully to better effect. John Doran of the Walking D Ranch outside of Twisp, Wash., hosts five-day training programs for the Special Forces—and for the public. Instruction includes catching, saddling, and packing the mules, horseback training, caring for the animals, and how to make an emergency dismount in case of attack.

Doran’s crew also shows the troops how to build a functioning packsaddle from scratch, using nothing more than a couple pieces of wood, some webbing, and parachute cord.

“We also put ’em through a very steep obstacle course on horseback,” says Doran, who has been working as a packer since the 1960s.

Army brass has been so impressed with Doran’s training that they’re considering
whether to send him to train troops in Afghanistan.

“The knowledge we’re giving these boys is going to help them accomplish their mission,” Doran says. “And it’s a good feeling to be able to have them shake your
hand and say, ‘Thank you.’ "