Honoring Veterans, National Park Week: Army Veteran Michael Trevino

In honor of the National Park Service’s National Park Week, this week’s Honoring Veterans spotlight honors the service of Army Veteran Michael Trevino, who today works as a facility manager at Reconstruction Era National Historical Park.

According to the NPS, about 25% of permanent National Park Service employees are Veterans, including the national director and deputy director. Recently, a West Point graduate and former Army engineer (who also has an ancestor who was in the Revolutionary War) was appointed the superintendent of Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. They are just a few examples of the many Veterans working for the National Park Service in a variety of occupations.

In his own words

I was born and raised in Sandusky, Ohio, and grew up riding the roller coasters of Cedar Point. I guess it makes sense that a youthful adrenaline addiction would lead to jumping out of airplanes for a living.

In 1987, I fulfilled my dream of becoming a soldier and started my military career as a combat engineer at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. My first duty station was Bamberg, Germany, where I had opportunities to serve on the Berlin Wall and the Czechoslovakian border.

Other deployments and missions included Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Bosnia, Haiti, Afghanistan, Iraq, South America, Australia, Asia, Central America and Europe. I went to places that I could have only imagined when I was a child looking at photos in library books. I was also enthralled with photos of Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Teton, Grand Canyon and other national parks that sparked my sense of curiosity.  

As retirement approached, I applied to jobs with the National Park Service (NPS). In 2009, after serving over 21 years as a soldier and paratrooper, I retired on a Friday from the U.S. Army, and started work on Monday at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. 

Everyday in the NPS—just like in the Army—I get to do meaningful work in locations I once only dreamed about. I am currently the facility manager at Reconstruction Era National Historical Park in Beaufort County, South Carolina. I’ve previously worked at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Everglades National Park and Colonial National Historical Park.

My priorities include ensuring park infrastructure—such as buildings, trails and roads—are maintained and that visitors can enjoy access to safe and memorable experiences. I am particularly proud of managing preservation projects that rehabilitate historic structures so that current and future visitors can learn about important aspects of our nation’s heritage.

Beaufort County is a military community—we have three active duty Naval and Marine Corps Installations here, along with a large Veteran community. I really enjoy interacting with local service members and sharing with them information about NPS opportunities for recreation and employment. I encourage all Veterans to learn more about their national parks and to pick up their free lifetime pass.

Happy National Park Week!

Did you know that Veterans can receive a free lifetime pass to national parks? The pass provides free entrance to Veterans and those traveling with them. Just ask for it at the next national park you visit that has an entrance fee.

Want to work with us? There are employment opportunities available. The National Park Service is one of the nation’s largest employers of Veterans, and the military has always played an important role in national parks. Learn more at NPS.gov.