I joined the military a few weeks before 9/11 and deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom as a sniper with the U.S. Army First Infantry Division. In between sniper missions and house raids, I found beauty in the Iraqi landscape, as strange as it sounds. The sunsets after a dust storm and the endless starscape stretching across the night sky sometimes left our entire platoon speechless. These places even reminded me of public lands I explored as a kid in the United States.

Like many soldiers who have been in combat, I struggled with my transition home after returning from Iraq. The only thing that seemed to help with my trauma was immersing myself into the wilderness. And I know I’m not alone in this. For many veterans, time outdoors in public lands plays a massive role in our mental and physical recovery from the stress of living in a warzone. 

Without our national parks, wilderness areas and wildlife refuges, I would not be alive today. That is why I’m disappointed that the military institutions I served under are attempting to cut off public access to some of the most treasured wild areas of America.

That is exactly what the Department of Defense intends to do with the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, just north of Las Vegas. It is the largest wildlife refuge outside Alaska, and it is home to amazing animals like the desert bighorn sheep. Now, the U.S. Air Force is attempting to expand Nellis Air Force Base and wall off this natural wonder to the public. 

Earlier this year, a congressional committee adopted an amendment to a national defense bill from a Utah Congressman that would hand over 850,000 acres of the refuge to the Air Force. After vocal opposition from the Nevada Congressional delegation, the amendment was abandoned. However, the fight is not over. 

I’m concerned giving the military control of the refuge will destroy the habitat and shut out the public. Potential uses for the land includes bombing, new roads and using major military vehicles on environmentally regulated land. This would disturb much of the wildlife and plant life in the area. Our sagebrush prairies, mountain vistas and white-water rivers are part of our national identity - we must protect them. 

Veterans, like myself, have been impacted by the trauma of war. Access to public lands is one of the few things that kept me sane after returning to civilian life. It’s disappointing that the military would now take that solace away from me. 

I am grateful to Senator Cortez Masto, Congressman Horsford and the entire Nevada congressional delegation for fighting for the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. Their efforts have likely headed off the Air Force takeover - for now. We know that the Air Force will be back soon, continuing their effort to take over this crown jewel of southern Nevada. 

Many Americans believe military readiness is important, but so is protecting access to our public lands - especially for the vets like me who served our country. We must continue working to defend the Desert Refuge for the benefit of America’s veterans and everyone who enjoys our public lands. 

I, and many veterans like me, urge Nevada’s congressional delegation to keep up their fight for the Desert Refuge, and to work to ensure that the pristine wilderness lands of the refuge are permanently protected for the benefit of all Americans now and into the future.

Garett Reppenhagen is the son of a Vietnam veteran and grandson of two World War II veterans. He served in the U.S. Army as a Cavalry/Scout Sniper in the 1st Infantry Division. Garett lives in Colorado where he serves as the Executive Director for Veterans For Peace.