# What This Bill Does

This bill creates a test program to hire veterans as wildland firefighters for the federal government. The Department of Veterans Affairs would work with the Agriculture Department and Interior Department to find open firefighting positions and recruit veterans to fill them. These aren't just firefighting jobs—they include related work like forestry management, equipment operation, dispatch, and aviation support. Veterans hired through this program would be treated as regular federal employees with all the standard protections and benefits that come with government work.

# Who This Affects

This program is designed to help veterans transition from military service into civilian jobs while also addressing the country's wildland firefighting needs. Veterans looking for stable employment would have a new pathway into federal firefighting positions. The program also benefits the Agriculture and Interior Departments, which often struggle to fill these demanding seasonal and permanent positions. Additionally, communities dealing with wildfires benefit from having more trained personnel available to fight fires and manage forests.

# How It Works

The Veterans Affairs Department would run the program while the other two departments identify which firefighting positions are available. Veterans would apply and be selected to fill these roles. The program includes an option to connect it with the military's Skillbridge program, which already helps service members transition to civilian careers before they leave the military. The bill requires the departments to report back to Congress within 60 days with their plan, then again after one year to show how it's working, and finally when the program ends. The pilot program runs for two years, giving Congress time to evaluate whether it's successful before deciding whether to make it permanent.