Do you have an idea related to Clean Energy and a dream of starting your own business? We can help!

The State Energy Sector Partnership
(SESP) will help a limited number of
budding entrepreneurs to learn the
business skills necessary to launch
a clean energy-related business
(including how to find financing).

The State Energy Sector Partnership is offering tuition scholarships to entrepreneurs who want to start a business in the renewable energy or energy efficiency fields. To be eligible, candidates must be unemployed (not receiving a wage from any source). Depending on the type of training needed, scholarships can be granted to attend training on how to start a business from the Small Business Development Centers or at a business incubator. Scholarships cover tuition and training materials only and are paid directly to the training provider. Training includes topics such as writing a business plan, marketing strategies, legal issues, and access to capital (to name a few).

Examples of Clean Energy businesses:
• Weatherization, HVAC, and insulation
installation
• Biofuels manufacturing, distribution,
sales, or usage
• “Green” design, construction, or
building materials
• Wind energy manufacturing, sales, and
installation
• Recycling
• Energy efficient lighting
• Sustainability practices and consulting
installation
• Solar manufacturing, sales, or
installation
• Or other ideas

Contact
Colorado State Energy Sector Partnership
Carol Craig, Project Coordinator
carol.craig@state.co.us

A Business Incubator Gives Funding And Jobs To Vets 

Story on NPR

Colorado Aspen Trees in September

In the rural areas of northern Colorado and Utah exist one of the more remarkable river basins and geographic areas in the world. The Yampa River runs through the mountains and badlands, eventually connecting with the Green River, and flows into Utah providing critical fresh water to the farms and ranches on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The area was once home to many generations of First Americans. Native Americans who settled the valley realized immediately its importance to their survival and the power of its majestic landscapes.

Today it bears importance due to the fact the Yampa River is one of the last “wild” rivers in the United States. Meaning, it is one of the few rivers that has not been dammed. It serves as an important place for research on the ecology and behavior of uninfluenced waterways. It also happens to be one of the most important locations for paleontologists. Because of a special bend in the river system, dinosaur bones have collected downstream in sediment and been preserved. It is one of the largest collections of fossils in the world. The open quarry is an attraction that people from all over come to observe.

The head waters of the Yampa and Colorado Rivers start in the Routt National Forest

Veterans Green Jobs has visited this region many times before. For the last two summers, the Veterans Green Corps program completed invasive species removal in the National Park rivers. This work helps to restore fish habitats and save other native plants species from being choked out. It is difficult and dirty work, but the reward of rafting on one of the most beautiful rivers, and sharing the experience with the park staff and other military veterans, makes it worth it. Veterans are never shy to lend a hand. Helping out with conservation efforts on the land they swore to protect is a continuation of their service to their country.

U.S. Army Veteran rows to the next project site on the Yampa River.

Although conservation is not the main priority among most public officials these days, those with the passion to conserve these great national resources find a way to include efforts to preserve our outdoors through job creation. It was for this reason that the head of the Department of the Interior came to help open the new Dinosaur National Park Quarry Visitor Center and speak to the public about the American Great Outdoors initiative.

Dinosaur National Park Quarry Visitor Center

The ceremony included a prayer from a Ute medicine man, a Utah National Guard Color Guard who presented the American flag, and a 21-gun salute by a local American Legion post. It was educational to hear about ways in which the materials from the old visitor center were recycled and reused, and how sustainable the new center is. However, the most interesting part of the presentation was Secretary Salazar’s words about how we can continue to develop our natural resources, and use them for recreation, while still protecting them for generations to come.

Secretary Salazar talked about the amount of work and the number of jobs it would require to undergo the level of conservation needed to accomplish the task, and how the Department of the Interior would support that work through the American Great Outdoors initiative. A Sergeant of the Utah National Guard had previously told VGJ’s staff that some soldiers in his unit worked in the oil fields nearby. However, many of them were out of work. After an upcoming combat tour in Afghanistan, many more will be out of a job when they return home in a year. It was encouraging to hear the Secretary talk about job prospects in this soldier’s local area that would allow him to work outdoors protecting the region he grew up in.

Sergeant of the Utah National Guard listening to Secretary Salazar talk about job creation in outdoor conservation.

At the end of the day there was a ribbon cutting and a private meeting with stakeholders and Secretary Slazar. Garett attended the meeting and talked more in depth with ranch owners, federal employees, and community organizers about how there could be better cooperation in conservation efforts. The Secretary promised to sign a memorandum of understanding drafted by the group by the end of October. The San Luis Valley, the Denver Metro Greenway project, and the Yampa River Basin are areas in Colorado highlighted by Governor John Hickenlooper under the American Great Outdoors initiative to receive increased attention. Veterans Green Jobs will look into additional ways we can help get training and meaningful jobs for veterans under these efforts.

Veterans Green Jobs with Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Department of the Interior

by Garett Reppenhagen, Veterans Green Jobs’ Director of Veterans Transition Programs

GET CHARGED

Arapahoe Community College Automotive Technology Program
Tour for Veterans

The Arapahoe Community College award-­‐winning Automotive Technology program now includes intensive training in hybrid in conversion and hybrid technology repair. Plug-­‐in and hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) technologies hold great promise – from rejuvenating the auto industry to creating quality, domestic jobs.

Learn about training and career opportunities available to today’s automotive technicians

Army Wheeled Vehicle MechanicAttend the ACC Program Tour for Veterans August 5th

TAKE THE TOUR! August 5th, 2011

The Day’s Events

1100 Welcome

1115 Automotive Tech Program: Overview and Tour

1200 Lunch with Faculty and Staff

1300 Veterans Services: Maximize Benefits

1315 Admissions: Next Steps

Location: Automotive Technology: is in the

Main Building Annex ACC
Littleton
Campus
5900 S. Santa Fe Drive,
Littleton

Park in any lot, follow signs to the tour

RSVP by August 2
to Christi Maes:
christi.maes@arapahoe.edu

ACC Vet Tour Flyer

This is an experience of a lifetime.  The Yampa and Green Rivers through Dinosaur National Monument is one of the world’s most wild and beautiful landscapes.  We hope you can join us for the second year Veterans Green Jobs has been involved helping restore this fantastic place!

PROJECT:

VGJ Crew of 8, throwing old tamarisk piles into river and mechanical removal of invasive tamarisk. May 21st-27^th.  We will be rafting and camping for the six days. Work will include throwing dried dead tamarisk piles into the river. (Tamarisk is a foreign invasive species that is damaging to the river’s ecosystem)  Work on the river will be dirty and sometimes challenging. Other duties include cooking and maintaining camp with typical chore duties.

WHEN:

We need to be at DNM HQ 2:30 PM May 21st, we will be issued dry bags and work out any details prior to camping for the night at the boat launch. We will need to carpool because of limited parking space.

GEAR:

Attached is a list from Dinosaur NM for the river trip.  DNM will provide much of the needed gear including PPE. We will want to ensure that all crew members have the items not provided by DNM. If anything from the below “YOU SHOULD BRING LIST” is not available, please let us now ASAP

FOOD:

All food will be provided.

We need to get any known food allergies, vegetarian or not and any foods people will not eat.  Each individual needs to give their preference to a breakfast drink.

TRAVEL:

If you are traveling from outside of the region and need a place to stay the night of May 20th or prior, need ground transportation regionally, or pick up at the Denver International Airport, let us know ASAP. Housing prior to driving to Dinosaur and local transportation can be coordinated.  Travel will be reimbursed up to $400.

PAY: We hope this project breaks even for VGJ, so this will be on a volunteer basis.  You may be eligible for receiving a non-profit donation receipt for tax write off purposes.  You will also be given a pair of river footwear to take home following the project.

DD214, WAIVERS AND FORMS:

Please provide an electronic copy of your DD214 to garett@veteransgreenjobs.org and be prepared to fill out more forms and waivers to join this unique opportunity.

SCHEDULE:

May 20^th Fly into Denver (for those out of state)

May 21st Drive to/Arrive at Dinosaur before 2:30pm

May 22nd Hit the river

May 27^th Exit the river

May 27^th or 28th leave Dinosaur National Monument

May 28^th or 29th (Fly home for out of state vets)

EQUIPMENT LIST

Equipment Provided By NPS:

Kitchen & camp:

Stoves and fuel

Cook pots, pans, coffee pot, cooking utensils

Dishes, bowls, cups, eating utensils

Chairs and tables

Water containers (bulk)

First aid kits, satellite phone, rescue equipment

Personal Floatation Devices (PFD’s)

Boats and Boating Equipment

Portable toilet system

NPS Equipment May be Available Upon Request:

Tent

Paco Pad or Thermarest

Large Dry Bag for stowing camping gear and extra clothing while we are on the river.

Small Dry Bag for stowing day-use items (sun screen, rain gear, camera, sweater, etc.)

What You Should Bring:

As you probably know, it’s not necessary to purchase a lot of high-tech gear to be safe and

comfortable in the backcountry. Wool or synthetic shirts, sweaters, and pants, which you may

already own or which can be bought inexpensively from thrift or army surplus stores, are perfectly acceptable.

The weather will probably be dry and warm; 60°-80°F during the day and 30°-50°F at night.

Keep in mind that thunderstorms are possible during the trip.

The equipment listed below is recommended. If you have questions about equipment, please contact Tamara Naumann at (970) 374-3051, e-mail: tamara_naumann@nps.gov.

UPPER-BODY CLOTHING – INSULATING

We recommend 2-3 insulating layers for the upper body. These garments should fit over each

another so they can all be comfortably worn at once. Since fabrics containing cotton absorb and

retain water, they do not have much insulation value. Many synthetics and wool wick moisture away from the body and provide insulation even when damp.

Underwear top: Long sleeve, medium weight polypropylene, Capilene, silk, Thermax, wool or

wool/synthetic blends are good.

Pile jacket or sweater: One. A thick wool or pile jacket or sweater will work, or you could use a

synthetic insulated vest or thin parka. Cotton is not acceptable as an insulation layer.

Wool shirts: Must be at least 75% wool. A lightweight wool shirt can make a good layer to wear

under a sweater. A heavy weight wool shirt (such as a Woolrich Alaskan shirt) can make a good

outer layer.

Vest: A synthetic-filled, nylon, or pile vest makes a versatile third layer. Vests provide greater

warmth when fitted under another insulating layer.

Warm hat: One. Any sort of wool or synthetic hat which covers your head and ears.

UPPER-BODY CLOTHING – NON-INSULATING

Rain parka: A parka or cagoule that’s waterproof, lightweight and roomy is the best.

Cotton shirt: Consider bringing a long-sleeved, lightweight cotton shirt or a t-shirt to wear during warm weather.

LOWER-BODY CLOTHING

Long underwear bottoms: One pair. These should be light to medium weight and made of a

synthetic or wool.

Rain or Wind pants: One pair (optional). Nylon pants should fit comfortably over your

lower body layers. Pants could also be made of Gore-Tex, Klimate, or Entrant fabrics.

Nylon shorts: Bring one or two pair of light weight shorts that will dry quickly.

Cotton pants or other pants for wearing in camp: Pants should be rugged, lightweight, and comfortable/roomy. Cotton pants protect you from sun, thorns and bugs.

FOOTWEAR

Neoprene socks: (lightweight) Most people find lightweight neoprene socks help eliminate

chaffing from sand in your boating shoes and help keep feet warm in cold/wet weather. (optional)

Boating shoes: One pair. Your feet will get wet while you are riding in the boat. Loading and unloading boats involves lots of wading and your feet will need protection from rocks, sticks, and the like. Sandals made for water sports (Keens, Tevas or Chacos) or a pair of sneakers, which fit securely without socks will work.

Work Boots or Shoes: Must be closed toe. Hiking shoes or boots, work boots or Keens will work just fine. We can pack these away while boating.

Socks: At least two pair. Ragg wool, polypropylene or polypropylene/wool blends are best.

SLEEPING AND PACKING GEAR

Tent: Compact and suitable for rainy weather.

Sleeping bag: We prefer synthetic-filled sleeping bags (Dacron, Polarguard, Hollofil, Quallofil)

with 3 pounds of fill, warm to 25 degrees. Down filled is light and comfy, but loses its insulating

qualities when wet.

Pillow: SMALL!

Sleeping pad: Should be closed-cell foam and 3/8″ thick. Therm-A-Rest pads are fine. You

should bring a repair kit if you use a Therm-A-Rest.

Sleeping bag stuff sack: Bring whatever stuff sack or compression sack you normally use to

transport your sleeping bag.

Stuff sacks and/or zip bags: Two or three small nylon duffels to organize personal gear for the

river (these make packing your dry bag and finding your stuff much easier). Backpacks will not fit in your dry bag, so if you don’t have a duffle, just organize your stuff in pillow cases.

Waterproof bag: NPS has high quality dry bags available for your use. You are welcome to

bring your own if you have one.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Sun hat: To keep the sun and rain off! Baseball caps and wide-brimmed hats work well.

Water bottle: Wide mouth quart or liter size with retention device so it stays in the boat

Reuseable cup: A 12-20 ounce unbreakable mug with a snap-on lid is best.

Bandanna: One or two are sufficient.

Insect repellent: Bring a small bottle in case of mosquitoes or ticks.

Bathing suit

Watch: Bring one with an alarm and light if possible.

Sunglasses: Good quality with 100% UV protection. A “croakie” type strap is required.

Lip balm and sunscreen: A SPF minimum of 15 is recommended.

Pocket knife: A small pocket knife is optional.

Flashlight or headlamp: A headlamp is more convenient.

Toilet articles: Toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, tampons, hand lotion etc.

Towel: Bring a small one if desired.

Notebook and pen: A small one to take notes

Zip-loc bags: A couple for packing out trash

Camera and/or binoculars: These are optional.

Trash Bag: This will enable you to put a wet tent in your dry bag without getting your other stuff wet.

Through our partnership with California Conservation Corps we  launched a back country trail crew in northern California that will include veterans. The program is an intense twenty-two weeks in remote areas of public land maintaining trails and learning technical skills.

The crew camps and works outdoors the entire time and gains memorable experiences in some of the most beautiful landscapes in the United States. The crew consists of sixteen members that includes one supervisor and a veteran advocate leader.

Any interested veterans who wish to join this group feel free to become an alternate. Apply by sending a letter of interest to vgc@veterans green jobs.org

Current CCC Veterans Back Country Crew

 Crew Update Mid-season

The  trail crew is moving into the second half of our Back Country Season.

They have successfully completed hitches in Big Basin and Shasta Trinity, and are currently preparing for their move into the Backcountry of Sequoia National Park.  Crew morale is high and they are extremely appreciative of the support, training and experience they have had.They still have a ways to go, and plenty of hard days ahead, but in the world of trails there is nothing new about that.

INTRODUCTION TO THE CREW

TO THE VETERANS BACKCOUNTRY TRAIL CREW SUPPORTERS:

We are the Sequoia Veterans CCC Backcountry Trail Crew.  We came together two months ago as strangers–a group of Military Veterans, CCC Corpsmembers, and Civilian/Internet Hires.  Only the two CCC Corpsmembers had worked trails before, but today we have settled into our fourth camp, ready to clear and maintain recreational trails in Sequoia Nat’l Park.  This season we have previously worked in Big Basin State Park and the Trinity Alps Wilderness and Yolla Bolla Wilderness of the Shasta-Trinity Nat’l Forest.  We will finish our season in the Inyo Nat’l Forest.

Day by day and week by week we grow stronger together through strenuous work on the trail and community living in camp.  We could not have asked for a better group of people with which to face the rigors of Backcountry and to make up our family.  Each member of our crew wanted to thank all of you personally. Read testimonials from the California Back Country Trail Crew.

Hiring for Summer 2011 positions!

Fire Crew Member who gained employment as a Wilderness Firefighter

We still have positions for veterans interested in completing conservation work on our public lands.

Veteran crews will camp, live and work in the outdoors building trails and preparing our forests to resist wild fires.

Enjoy being outside this summer and get the satisfaction of doing service work.

Veterans will learn new skills, gain experience valued on a resume, connect with professional references within our federal agencies and have fun with a group of veterans that understand the military culture.

The work is physically hard and will take you away from family and friends for the entire season.

They are set between college Spring and Fall semesters so veteran students can participate. Veterans from out of state can join these crews, due to the outdoor nature of the programs there is no need to relocate.

There are alternate positions available for our ongoing programs and new California Conservation Corps fire crews are standing up in Southern California.

If you are interested in these programs email

vgc@veteransgreenjobs.org

Nevada Conservation Corps Great Basin Institute

2011 Summer Veterans Green Corps

Description:
Spend your summer working and camping outside at some of Southern Nevada’s premier natural areas. Serve alongside fellow military Veteran’s while making a lasting contribution to Nevada’s natural heritage. Gain valuable field experience while working on conservation projects throughout the State of Nevada.

Compensation:
This is an AmeriCorps position, and candidates will receive a living stipend of $3,700 for the summer. This is not an hourly wage or a salary and is paid to members bi-monthly throughout the entire year. Upon completion of AmeriCorps service members shall receive an additional education award in the amount of $1,415 that can be used for paying off student loans, or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college.

Timeline: May 16, 2011 – August 11, 2011

Conservation Projects:
Trail building and rehabilitation
Exotic species removal
Habitat restoration
Riparian rehabilitation
Illegal road decommissioning

Duties:
Maintaining a positive and professional attitude at all times while providing service.
Communicating with agency project staff.
Complying with both production and quality work standards established by NCC administration, crew supervisors and project partners.
Contributing to basic duties at the campsite including cooking, cleaning and organizing crew equipment.

Work Schedule: Crew members serve in the field on both 4-day-on, 3-day off tours and 8-day-on, 6-day-off projects.

Training:
Members will participate in orientation from May 16, 2011 to May 20, 2011, where they will receive training in trail building, leave-no-trace  ethics, CPR/First Aid, and effective citizenship.

Location:
Spring Mountains NRA

Qualifications:
To qualify, you must be over 18 years of age and a US citizen that has received a high school diploma or GED. All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check. Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime or the equivalent of two full-time education awards). Must be a veteran of the United States military and have the ability to provide DD214 papers.

To Apply:
Email    VGC@veteransgreenjobs.org     for more information

These AmeriCorps positions are made possible by a generous grant from the Nevada Commission for National and Community Service. This program prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

VGC Corpsmember season

Predicted time frame: Aug 22-Oct 14

Crew Size:  5-6 members

Type of Work: Fuels reduction (mitigation of forests to prevent can control fires)

Likely Locations: Charles M Russell Wildlife Refuge in Central MT and in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in WY

Veterans are encouraged to apply. To apply submit resume and cover letter to: tauzha@mtcorps.org

CURRENT PROGRAM ONGOING

Summer 2011 Montana Conservation Corps  Veterans Green Crew currently  in Northern Colorado in the Medicine Bow Mountain Range!

Hear Directly from the crew leader of the current program.

Holy cow! What a great experience with MCC. I knew this opportunity was going to be a blast, but my expectations have been exceeded and then some. I would like to thank Tauzha Grantham the regional supervisor for being one of the best supervisors I have ever had the privilege of working with and for. You make it seem as if it is not work. I would also like to thank Mike Hasset our Field Project Coordinator for leading by example and showing a great amount of patience with this Jar Head. It has been a honor working for the both of you. I cant believe I get paid to do this.

This past week of training in Salida, CO getting certified as a sawyer was a eye opener. The top notch training and S-212 instructors is surpassed by no one thing or person. Another great opportunity! Not many institutions will train you and also pay you at the same time. Thanks! What a priceless experience.

I see an amazing future for MCC and vets working together to accomplish great things for communities and individuals.

BECOME A  VETERAN CORPS MEMBER

Veterans Green Corps is a collaborative initiative of Montana Conservation Corps (mtcorps.org) and Veteran Green Jobs (veteransgreenjobs.org). We aid recently returning veterans of OIF and OEF in their transition to civilian life by leveraging their leadership experience, strong work ethic and team approach to meet conservation needs on public lands. At Veterans Green Corps, we supply the projects and the training; vets supply the human-power and dedication needed to protect and preserve our nation’s public lands.

CONNECTION

Veterans Green Corps offers a unique opportunity for recently returned vets to reconnect with fellow soldiers and make new connections with the outdoors. Our members gain valuable experience through service projects that promote personal growth, job skills, and an ethic of natural resource stewardship – while taking an active role to serve our country in meaningful new ways.

CALLING ALL MILITARY VETS

Veterans Green Corps will be based out of Billings, Montana but the project work will be on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest in southern Wyoming and northern Colorado.  The entire project is focused on fuels reduction so an interest in using chainsaws and crosscut saws is essential. Participants spend the first two weeks in orientation and training and the next 10 weeks of project work.

BENEFITS

Participants receive S212 saw certification and First Aid/CPR through the Colorado Fire Camp. Corpsmembers receive a living stipend, and upon completion of the program, an AmeriCorps education award to pursue education opportunities and technical training.

ABOUT MCC

Montana Conservation Corps is a nonprofit organization that empowers youth and young adults through hands-on conservation service and education. Each season we enroll over 200 young adults from across the country, age 18 and up, in our AmeriCorps program, and more than 100 local teens, ages 15 to 17, in our Youth Service Expedition program. Our members live, learn and serve together, in crews of six to eight members, in some of our country’s wildest places. They complete conservation projects in local communities, national forests, state and national parks, wildlife refuges and federally designated wilderness areas. Participants receive the experience of a lifetime through challenging projects and the rigors of camp life, coupled with education aimed at creating engaged citizens and lifelong environmental stewards. All of these factors create an ideal situation for personal growth that leads to increased confidence, communication and leadership skills, and the ability to work well with people from all walks of life.

Our mission to inspire young people through hands-on conservation service to be leaders, stewards of the land, and engaged citizens who improve their communities, is brought to life through our five core program objectives. Our goal is that each participant will leave MCC with the following:

• An ethic of volunteer service and civic responsibility
• Strengthened communication and team-building skills
• Enhanced competencies to be leaders and contributing team members
• Increased knowledge of the natural environment
• An enthusiasm for the benefits of hard work and quality results

CONTACTS

Garett Reppenhagen Veterans Green Jobs  vgc@veteransgreenjobs.org

Tauzha Grantham, Eastern Wildlands Supervisor, Billings: 406-651-1311. tauzha@mtcorps.org

Lee Gault, Program Manager, MCC State Office, Bozeman: 406-587-4475. lee@mtcorps.org

“SPC REPPENHAGEN displayed professionalism and personal courage when Hib Hib Iraqi Police Station came under attack. The police station sustained a volley of RPG fire and he immediately began plotting and coordinating an indirect fire mission. SPC REPPENHAGEN’s quick thinking under fire ensured that an immediate retaliation against anti coalition forces was possible.”

I earned the award one night on a sniper mission on top of the Hib Hib police station, in the same town Abu Zarqawi was killed one year later. The police station received threats from the insurgency, so we deployed our sniper team on the roof for a few days. It was in the heat of the summer, and at night, many Iraqis sleep on the roofs of their homes. The police had pulled four beds to the roof so the police could take cat naps if there wasn’t anything happening in town. The main street ran pass the station a football field away across a crated dirt lot with concertina wire that made me think of a World War I battle field.

Early in the night of morning, while fighting off the bugs and sleep, we watched three vehicles roll slowly down the main road and by the empty lot. They went down the street and disappeared behind a thick strip of palms along a wide canal. It was strange to see the three vehicles close together at that hour, but we felt foolish to call them in to base, so we waited and watched. Minutes later the loud bottle rocket fizz of RPGs arced over the palms towards us. INCOMING!

The first was a direct hit on the back part of the roof. Pieces of bed frame scattered across the flat building. The Iraqi Police screamed as one pounded the lot and another struck the side of the building. We toppled clumsily with the impact, trying to move to firing positions. Casey fired the 240 machine gun into the palms and Murphy popped grenades with his under barrel mounted launcher. Nothing reached or penetrated the trees, not even the infrared vision in our sniper scopes. RPGs kept slamming the compound.

In the confusion and helplessness I scrambled for the radio and the map. I had marked the canal’s position the night prior, along with several other reference points, and adjusted 50 meters right. I called in to the mortar team on the base and quickly established a grid for a fire mission. Tense moments passed as a few clicks away the infantry men got their mortars tubes oriented. The police dragged the wounded and dead down the concrete stairs into the building, so we were the only ones top side to see the mortars rain down onto the enemy’s position. The palms parted and swayed with the blasts, and plumes of dirt and vehicle parts splashed over the trees.

My familiarity and use of all of the tools I had made the difference between life and death.

In the US Cavalry I found that a majority of training for service members involves becoming proficient in the equipment issued, to trust it, and to utilize your team members. Whether it was an M-16, a Humvee, a Med Kit or a radio, once we could get the maximum use out of the tools we were issued, we could organize and execute a plan that could accomplish any mission. I had complete confidence in my comrades and I knew the tools I had like the back of my hand.

Today we veterans are coming home to a changing economy and a civilian world that seems some what foreign to the military community. Our peers that chose not to serve are excelling in school and the work place. Veterans are struggling with high drop out rates, unemployment, and homelessness, which leads to depression, substance abuse and accelerated mental health issues.

Our new goal is to transition into society, to conform, to adjust. Many people treat veterans as people that need to be supported or cared for, or fixed, like we are damaged goods. However, I see veterans as an immense untapped resource for our society. We have some amazing skills of leadership, and performing under immense pressure in the most hazardous environments. Veterans have strong values and work ethic, and a sense of service. It is not surprising many of my friends have entered careers of EMT, police and fire fighters, and many go back into the military without being conscious of what it is they miss.

We veterans have the base qualities that make natural leaders, give us the tools and the training to use them to make a real difference. In the difficult times that our nation faces, why not turn to the new generation of warriors emerging, and allow them to lead a new mission of restoring our country’s environment, economy and communities?

Although I wore hope on my collar I had doubt in my heart. It has been four years since I was in the Diyala River Valley in Iraq with my fellow scouts. When I joined up as a cavalry trooper in the US Army I had the delusion that because I was sacrificing to serve my nation, I would be taken care of if I were injured in the line of duty, or given benefits that put me back on par with my peers that chose not to serve. I thought Americans would do what was necessary to ensure war was avoidable and that they would do there part at home to create a country that supported their military and veterans. Instead, I returned from combat to find my country in economic ruin, the early signs of global warming effecting our environment, an even greater dependency on foreign oil, and my fellow brothers and sisters in arms neglected.

President Barack Obama stood before the immense crowd and, as always, seemed to speak honestly about change. He spoke about veterans, saying, “We honor them not only because they are the guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service, a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves.” I have heard politicians make empty promises about supporting veterans, and I have watched in dismay as they turned their backs when we needed them most. It was not President’s Obama’s words that gave me encouragement that day. It was the reaction of the people watching, the energy in their eyes. It was indeed the greatest assembly of hope I have ever witnessed.

“Yes we can,” isn’t enough for change. That is why finding and joining Veterans Green Jobs has me feeling so optimistic. Veterans Green Jobs is a group that is taking hope a step further; actually creating a program to train veterans in growing green industries. I am now bringing together my fellow service members and empowering them to become leaders in solving this country’s greatest challenges. Veterans Green Jobs is a “yes we are” organization that isn’t waiting for change, we are creating it, one veteran at a time.

By taking qualities earned through the military and the desire to serve others and combining new knowledge and aptitudes in green careers, Veterans Green Jobs will create a dependable workforce to restore America’s environment, economy and communities. Veterans Green Jobs empowers veterans to once again serve their country alongside their comrades. This meaningful work is rewarding and provides veterans with skills that in the coming years will remain in demand – and cannot be outsourced. This green mobilization will create hundreds of thousands of jobs and business opportunities. Veterans Green Jobs gives veterans the chance to get on the ground floor of the fastest growing industry of our generation.

When most of the crowd left the National Mall to head for warmth and shelter, they were excited to see what was next. As I passed the reflecting pool and the Vietnam Memorial wall, I thought about my role in the changes to come. I thought about my father and what he fought for in Vietnam and my Grandfathers in World War II. I thought about my children and the world that I will leave to them. I am not in a position to wait to see what changes come, it is time for me to set to work and create the society I am proud of.

- Garett