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From service to service: Honoring our veterans

Poster collage. Forest Service employees who served in the armed forces surround text: From service to service.
Nearly one in seven Forest Service employees are veterans. Select image to enlarge.

Across the country, military veterans find ways to continue serving their country, using their training, experience and commitment to fill positions in civil service or in the private sector.

The Forest Service is honored to have about 4,200 veterans on our rolls, or more than 13% of our employee base. They transferred their military dedication into their roles as district rangers, engineers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, recreation leaders and more.

Veterans have a long history with the Forest Service, beginning with Franklin B. Hough, a practicing physician, scientist, and historian who served with the 97th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment in support of the Union. He later became the first chief of the U.S. Division of Forestry, later known as the U.S. Forest Service.

That tradition continues today with Tom Schultz, the current and 21st Chief of the Forest Service, who was commissioned through the ROTC program and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1991-1996.

Veterans serving the agency today

  • Kris Bancroft

    Man standing outside in front of trees with the yellows and greens of fall, holding a photo of himself in Army uniform.

    National Webmaster
    U.S. Army

    "I’m very proud of my military service, but I’m also very thankful that I can continue my public service. I enjoy it, and I take great pride in it. Everybody has their part to play. It may not be in the field fighting a fire, but there is always a place for people in the Forest Service if they want it."

  • Sandra Krzewinski

    Woman in Forest Service uniform standing outside next to sign: Welcome. Southern Research Station and Forest Health Protection,

    Grants and Agreements Lead
    U.S. Air Force Reserve

    "I carry my Air Force core values to the Forest Service: Integrity First. Service Before Self. Excellence in All We Do.”

  • Daniel Malta

    Man standing in office with art and certificates mounted behind him. He is wearing a Forest Service polo and holding a photo of himself in formal Marine Corps uniform.

    Public Affairs Specialist
    U.S. Marine Corps

    "You know, in the Marine Corps, we believe very strongly in the importance of servitude. You know, good leaders serve and good servants lead. And so, getting over here to the Forest Service, I was really able to bring that mentality."

  • Aaron Mayville

    Man wearing Foreset Service uniform standing in office with Coconino National Forest poster behind him.

    Forest Supervisor
    U.S. Navy

    “What brought me to the Forest Service was the mission. I think it's the best mission in the federal government. We tie people to the places they love and public land. What could be better?”

  • Nick Mossbarger

    Man in Forest Service uniform and sunglasses. He is outside, under an open roof.

    Recreation Program Manager
    Ohio Army National Guard

    "What brought me to the Forest Service was the opportunity to continue the commitment to service just in a different uniform.”

  • Travis Weger

    Man in blue fleece holds a photo of himself in U.S. Navy uniform. He is standing against a dark panel wall.

    National Writer/Videographer
    U.S. Navy

    “I love being able to tell the story about the employees, the partners and folks that we work with, and the importance of public lands and why we should all care about them.”