Civilian life is unlike that of military life in the service.  Two forests, the Apache-Sitgreaves and the Prescott National Forest have recently developed programs to help veterans in their transition to civilian life.

Through grants obtained by the U.S. Forest Service, these programs were offered to veterans from multiple branches of the armed forces with varied military service backgrounds.  Veterans were hired to these corps teams and worked on fuels reduction as wildland firefighters doing wildland fire suppression.

Prescribed burn. U.S. Forest Service Photo

Obtaining valuable work experience and training that can translate into local seasonal jobs and translatable skills will benefit the veterans while aiding these local forests with forest management.

Within this core team were multiple trainings, certifications and classes concentrating on proper use for power saws, ATV training and wilderness first aid and more.  The Student Conservation Association worked with the Apache-Sitgreaves and the Prescott National Forests to develop these programs.

These crews worked prescribed burns, trail and road maintenance and fireline construction among other conservation tasks both in the field and in the office.  Both the Prescott National Forest team and the Apache-Sitgreaves team mainly worked on fire-related management issues to proactively combat the wildland fires that affect the forests of Arizona.

3 Responses to “Forests in Arizona Train Veterans”

1. Mark Reel says:

   02/04/2012 at 2:05 PM

   Is there a way to be hired in this program? I am a veteran who loves the outdoors, but I am having trouble finding work.

   Thank you,

   Mark
2. Jose Ortiz says:

   02/10/2012 at 2:03 AM

   I want more information about the program thanks.
3. Larry Chambers says:

   02/14/2012 at 2:27 PM

   Hi Mark,

   Shoot me an email at lfchambers@fs.fed.us, and I will steer you toward a couple of organizations that specialize in helping veterans get green jobs.

   thanks,
   Larry Chambers, USFS