AZT VETS

05/30/2026

05/25/2026

🇺🇸 R T F // Remember The Fallen… Memorial Day will never feel like a “holiday” to many within the military community. It’s sacred ground — a space where grief, gratitude, memory, and love all seem to exist together.

This weekend, a small crew of veterans gathered high in the Rincon Mountains, spending Memorial Day not in comfort, but in service to one another, the Arizona Trail, and the memory of those who can no longer walk beside us.

Some memories live in stories.
Some live in silence.
Some live in simple things — a shared sunset after a hard day’s work, or a token carried into the mountains as a reminder that someone mattered and still does.

Out here, nature has a way of helping us remember.

Not just the people we lost, but the parts of ourselves we thought were gone too.

Through shared hardship, sweat, laughter, reflection, and community, we continue finding ways to celebrate life for those who no longer have the opportunity to do so themselves.

That’s what mission therapy means to us.

Not “fixing” veterans — but creating space for connection, purpose, remembrance, and continued service through the healing power of wild places.

Sometimes the best way to honor the fallen is simply to keep showing up for one another.

To everyone who supports the AZT VETS Program, thank you for helping make these moments possible.

We remember.
We build.
We protect.
We continue.

04/22/2026

🌎 E A R T H // The Only Home We Have 🏠

This Earth Day, we’re reminded why we do the work.

Out here, it’s simple—care for the land, and it will take care of us. Every mile of trail we build, every drain we clear, every step we take alongside one another is part of something bigger.

For us, stewardship isn’t just a concept—it’s a mission.

Through the VETS Program and Fox Squad Ops, veterans continue to serve by protecting the and the landscapes that connect us all.

The AZT VETS live, breathe, and embody our core motto, “We Build, We Protect.”

Join us in honoring the land today—and every day. ⛏️

04/08/2026

🪖 J / T / F ⛏️ V E T S 🫱🏼‍🫲🏾 F T E 🥾 //

We’re proud to introduce (FTE) as a partner alongside the VETS Program for an upcoming backcountry mission—Operation Manning Camp Relief in Saguaro National Park East.

This collaboration brings together two incredible organizations committed to the same purpose: creating meaningful, challenging outdoor experiences for veterans rooted in service, connection, and shared effort.

Over Memorial Day Weekend, a small team will hike deep into the Rincon Mountains—one of the most scenic and rugged landscapes in southern Arizona—to complete critical trail work along the Arizona National Scenic Trail. This isn’t just about maintaining trail—it’s about honoring those we’ve lost in our military community through action, reflection, and time spent together in wild places.

FTE’s support helps make this mission possible by reducing barriers to participation and ensuring our team is equipped for the physical and mental demands of a true backcountry experience.

We currently have 2 spots remaining on this crew.

If you’re a veteran looking for something more than a typical weekend—something that challenges you, grounds you, and connects you to a larger purpose—we invite you to step into this mission with us.

📍 Saguaro National Park East (Rincon Mountains)

🗓 Memorial Day Weekend

🤙🏼 Limited to 12 participants

Join us in honoring, remembering, and continuing the mission—together.

03/25/2026

We’re honored to see Operation Freedom March featured on KOLD News 13 this week—highlighting the Arizona Trail’s power to support both mental and physical health, especially for our veteran community.

As shared in the interview, this statewide effort is more than a challenge—it’s a movement. From the Mexican border to Utah, the 800-mile Arizona Trail offers a path to reconnect, recharge, and heal. Whether you’re a veteran, service member, family member, or simply someone who believes in the power of the outdoors, this mission is open to you.

“Nature is therapy.” That simple truth continues to guide what we do—creating space for people to unwind, build community, and find purpose out on the trail.

With just over 100 days until America’s Semiquincentennial, now is the time to get involved. You can hike, bike, ride, or roll any section of the trail—solo or with a team—and be part of something bigger than yourself.

👉 Sign up and join the mission:
https://raceroster.com/events/2026/103465/operation-freedom-march

If this resonates, help us spread the word. Share this post, invite your friends, and consider forming your own “squadron” out on the trail.

Together, we move forward—mile by mile.

Arizona Trail Association, KOLD News 13, America250AZ

Operation Freedom March is a yearlong initiative encouraging people to hike, bike and ride horseback along the Arizona Trail by America’s 250th birthday.

03/16/2026

🔥 H E A T W A V E // The desert always gets the final say 🌵

Due to an unseasonable heatwave forecast for southern Arizona this week, we’ve made the call to reschedule Operation Singletrack Sortie II to keep our volunteers safe in the field. Trail work is demanding, and when temperatures climb into the 90s this early in the season, safety has to come first.

The mission remains the same—finish the final push on the Enzenberg Canyon reroute—and we’re now rallying the crew for March 26–29. ⛏️

If you’ve been thinking about joining the AZT VETS community, this is your invitation. Veterans, families, and supporters are all welcome to step up, lend a hand, and help build a piece of the Arizona National Scenic Trail.

Sign up using the link in our bio and join the crew. 🤙🏼

03/10/2026

Big thanks to Paul Rivera for his continued support of the AZT VETS Program. Check out the full video below for his first-hand experience!

You won’t look at a hiking trail the same way. I volunteered with the Arizona Trial Veterans for a program that helps heal through nature. The group makes hi...

02/11/2026

DC weather: 🥶
Chappy’s stance on public lands: 🔥

On Capitol Hill advocating for the protection of our National Monuments & Public Lands—so veterans (and everyone) can continue to find purpose and healing outside.

Stay tuned. 🤙🏻

02/10/2026

Chappy is in Washington, DC 🇺🇸. He’s meeting with Arizona’s state delegation to speak out against threats to our National Monuments & Public Lands—so these places remain protected, accessible, and available for everyone, especially veterans seeking healing in the outdoors.

Stay connected as we post more about his time in our nation’s capital.

02/03/2026

🌵 AZT VETS SPRING / SUMMER 2026 IS LIVE [ FINAL UPDATE ] 🪖

This season, we’re putting boots on the ground and purpose back in our hands. From Volunteer Work Weekends (VVWWs) to paid Fox Squad Ops, the AZT VETS Program is rolling out meaningful opportunities for veterans and their families to serve, lead, and heal—together—on the Arizona National Scenic Trail.

⛏️ The Operation Singletrack Sortie I event is live on the ATA volunteer portal! Sign up TODAY using the link in our bio.

⭐ "Operation Freedom March" events are back—open to veterans, families, and military supporters. Sign up link in our bio.

🦊 Fox Squad Ops offers vets-only, seasonal backcountry events for the next generation of trail builders looking for more immersive and technical experiences.

🎖️ NEW in 2026: the "Non-Com" Leadership Track—a peer-led pathway for veterans ready to step into mentorship, crew support, and leadership on (and off) the trail.

Whether you’re looking to swing tools, build trail, reconnect with community, or take the next step as a leader—there’s a place for you out here.

📍 Multiple projects across Southern & Northern Arizona

🤙🏼 Service. Camaraderie. Purpose.

🔗 Learn more + get involved: aztrail.org/programs/vets

Follow along 👉