The Ongoing Fight for Our Wild Places: A Veteran's Perspective

As a veteran who served in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), I understand that success often hinges on the small victories. During the GWOT, capturing high-value targets did not just weaken enemy forces; it disrupted their ability to plan, organize, and execute attacks. Each win chipped away at a larger, decentralized network, leaving the enemy with fewer resources and less ability to cause harm. This same principle—winning small victories one at a time—is exactly how we approach the fight for our public lands and the conservation of our wildlife today. 

Just as terrorist organizations used violence to spread their ideology during and after the GWOT, today’s battle for our wilderness is fueled by greed, exploitation, and the relentless pursuit of profit. Corporations try to seize public lands for development, politicians push through legislation that opens up pristine habitats for roads and drilling, and special interest groups work tirelessly to dismantle the very outdoor traditions that define our nation. This is a different kind of enemy, but it’s no less determined. As veterans in conservation, we bring the same tenacity and resolve to protect our wild places that we once brought to the battlefield. 

We’ve had some victories along the way. Take, for example, the recent success in protecting Alaska’s Brooks Range from the Ambler Road project. Thanks to the removal of a harmful rider from the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), we’ve successfully blocked the construction of a road that would have cut through one of the country’s most pristine landscapes. For now, the Brooks Range remains protected, and it’s a significant win. But this is just one battle in a much larger war. 

The threats to our wild places are not few or far between. In Utah, we’re witnessing an alarming land grab, where public lands are being sold off to private developers. In North Carolina, the recreational flounder fishing season is severely restricted, and in many states, animal rights groups are pushing to end hunting seasons altogether. These battles are part of a broader, more dangerous pattern – a pattern driven by greed and a disregard for long-term environmental health. 

As veterans, we know what it means to defend something greater than ourselves. And now, we are called once again—to defend our wild places. These lands aren’t just places to hunt, fish, or hike; they are a vital part of our national heritage, the foundation of our conservation legacy, and essential to the well-being of future generations. 

The fight ahead is not easy, and it won’t be over soon. It’s about more than just preserving access to outdoor spaces or keeping hunting and fishing seasons intact. It’s about standing up to those who see nature as something to be exploited rather than protected. It’s about ensuring that our wildlife thrives, our air and water remain clean, and our children have the same opportunities to experience the wild places we cherish. 

Every small victory brings us closer to these goals. And just as we fought with determination in the Global War on Terrorism, we fight with that same spirit today to protect our wilderness. These victories matter. They are crucial for the future of conservation and for generations to come. 

As we celebrate the wins we’ve achieved, we also stay vigilant. The battles aren’t over. Whether it’s fighting against the privatization of public lands, preserving our hunting, and fishing rights, or pushing back against the greed that threatens our environment, veterans are still on the front lines. 

The fight for our wild places is ongoing, but just as we faced down challenges on the battlefield, we will continue to face down the threats to our wilderness. It is not just our duty – it is our honor.  

About Hunter Owen

Armed Forces Initiative National Board Eastern Region Conservation and Policy Representative & North Carolina Chapter Coastal Policy and Conservation Coordinator

See other posts related to AFI Comms Channel AFI Featured Stories