What is it about military service, experience, training, missions that makes some veterans want to go green?

A green veteran knows there is not enough money spent on disaster preparation, relief and reconstruction training.

A green veteran wants to learn make alternative fuels.

A green veteran wants to use their experience to improve and protect their community before during and after disasters.

A green veteran works with young adults to improve ecosystems, provide disaster relief and make alternative energy and bio fuels to run the effort.

A green veteran works with other veterans groups to organize and support volunteer relief efforts with communications and medical aid capabilities.

Soderberg also works with Plenty International, a sister organization of FVC and Farms Not Arms. Here’s a blog article about one of their collaborations.

All Veterans are eligible. Veterans who choose to participate will be added to the Veterans Conservation Corps list and in return, veterans will have an opportunity to help the environment, contribute to the community and earn valuable job skills in the environmental field.

Activities range from stream restoration to office-based administrative work. Veterans are encouraged to use their participation as training in new skills and as enhancements for their resumes.

The program also includes an education component – the Veterans Conservation Academy – with room for 30 returning veterans from OIF/OEF/ONE. The Academy can help veterans qualify for opportunities in “green collar” careers. The Port Townsend and Jefferson County Leader carried an article inviting vets to apply for a nine-month course at Olympic College in Bremerton, WA.

Coordinator Jeff Reyes said he’s hoping to sign up veterans by June 6 for the program, which begins in September. There are openings for up to nine people.

“Since space is tight, the earlier the better,” Reyes said of people signing up.

As an enrollment benefit, veterans receive a $1,000 monthly stipend for participating in the program. It is granted based on participation.
“This is an excellent opportunity for returning vets with an interest in ‘green collar’ jobs, and the VCC would love to help these individuals make a successful transition into civilian life,” Reyes said.

“This program will be a mix of classroom work and on-the-job training in projects in Kitsap County that we will be identifying for veteran crews to learn from and complete, with the assistance of internship instructors and VCC staff,” Reyes said.