by Mt. Adams Institute | Aug 6, 2018 | VetsWork Fire
While making the decision to come out here for this program, one of the things I was looking forward to most, was getting out of my old routines and beginning a new job in a new location. The daily routine here starts early. We typically begin our days with physical...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Jul 26, 2018 | VetsWork Fire
We are several weeks into the program so far; we have all been through most of the trainings and certifications now. We are all certified on chainsaws and have been working hard on the thinning unit honing in our skills with the saw. Last week we went to Fire School,...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Jul 26, 2018 | VetsWork Fire
Before I arrived to participate with the Mt. Adams Institute’s VetsWork GreenCorps program I expected to be challenged physically and to learn about wildland firefighting. Other than that I did not know what else to expect. Within the first three weeks we have done...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Jul 26, 2018 | VetsWork Fire
“I need you to break off and handle that spot fire!” my squad leader yelled back at me from beyond the trees ahead. I had only been digging a line to contain the main fire for 15 minutes, but I was already soaked in sweat from chopping through the dense...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Jul 26, 2018 | VetsWork Fire
The time has flown by incredibly fast. What has seemed like only a few weeks has turned into a few months, and the end of the program and the beginning of our time as official Forest Service employees is rapidly approaching. We have had more hours than I can count of...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Jul 24, 2018 | VetsWork Fire
My day working with the Umatilla Vet crew starts the same everyday with some form of physical training (PT). Most days we thin heavily forested areas to reduce the potential for wildfires. We have completed over 8 acres so far. That’s pretty much our normal routine:...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Jun 12, 2018 | VetsWork Fire
I’ll be honest; I didn’t have many expectations before arriving to start this program. A lot of that had to do with the fact I worked full time up until two and a half days before leaving Georgia to meet up with the crew in Trout Lake, Washington. When I applied and...
by Mt. Adams Institute | Jun 12, 2018 | VetsWork Fire
I decided to apply for the VetsWork GreenCorps AmeriCorps program through the Mt. Adams Institute and the Umatilla National Forest, because I was in great need of a change in my life. While I enjoyed my time in the Army, garrison life did not provide the daily sense...
