In 2022, more than 4,200 veterans are employed by the National Park Service in a wide variety of career fields. This is nothing new for us. The history of the National Park Service is intertwined with that of the United States Military. Ever since the establishment of Camp Sheridan in Yellowstone National Park in 1886, both veterans and soldiers have played a continuous role in the protection and preservation of national parks.
U.S. Army soldiers assigned to parks before the establishment of the National Park Service in 1916 created a model for park management. They prevented the poaching of wildlife, fought wildfires, halted illegal grazing of livestock, and stopped the theft of timber and other natural objects. They built roads, trails, and other infrastructure. Their presence as official stewards of park lands brought a sense of law and order to the mountain wilderness.
Meet staff and hear first-hand how their military experience influences their careers today and into the future.
Meet Some of Our Military and Veteran Staff
Last updated: November 7, 2023