Continue to grow and serve
You've dedicated your life to service. A NOLS course can honor your experience and create opportunities to take your skills to new heights.
Why choose NOLS
Built for those who lead
Born in part from our founder Paul Petzoldt's service in the 10th Mountain Division in World War II, NOLS is a leading source of expedition-based leadership training and wilderness medicine certifications, and has been serving military members for decades.
NOLS is the only organization that combines decades of wilderness experience with an innovative leadership curriculum, top-tier instructors, and unparalleled risk management.
Roots in the 10th Mtn
Division
Serving military
members
Benefit-eligible
courses
SERVE
Who we serve
Programs for every stage of service
From transitioning veterans to active units, NOLS has expedition and wilderness medicine offerings designed around where you are in your service.
Veterans & Transitioning Members
Use your veterans benefits for a Wyoming-based expedition, wilderness medicine, or EMT training. These offerings are gateways to new careers, exploration, and personal growth.
Active Duty & Reserve
Many expeditions and wilderness medicine trainings fit into time on leave. A 1-2 week expedition builds technical outdoor skills, and a certification prepares you to respond to emergencies in remote environments.
ROTC & Service Academies
Since 2004, over 2,000 midshipmen and cadets have joined NOLS on 22 to 26 day Service Academy Leadership Expeditions, structured to test the leadership concepts from your officer training.
Military Units
As a GSA Authorized Federal Supplier, NOLS tailors expedition and wilderness medicine training for units, including service academy students, test pilots, and the special operations community.
NOLS & the military
A legacy rooted in service
NOLS founder Paul Petzoldt honed his educational philosophy while serving with the 10th Mountain Division during World War II. Since Petzoldt's time, NOLS has connected many active and former service members with careers and new opportunities.
What's covered
Benefits that support your service
NOLS courses in Wyoming are eligible for VA benefits, with financial aid and respected credentials to match.
VA benefits eligible
Wyoming-based expeditions and wilderness medicine training are eligible for VA benefits, including the GI Bill.
Financial aid & scholarships
Additional financial aid and scholarship options are available beyond VA benefits to help with any out-of-pocket costs.
Respected certifications
Earn wilderness medicine credentials that employers value and that prepare you to respond in remote, resource-limited environments.
Structured leadership curriculum
NOLS pairs decades of wilderness experience with a leadership curriculum built to test and sharpen the skills you already have.
A community of learners
Most courses blend veteran and non-veteran students, so you learn alongside people with a wide range of life experiences.
GSA Authorized Federal Supplier
NOLS delivers custom expedition and wilderness medicine training to military groups at a location of your choice.
Veteran spotlight
"My NOLS semester was a great opportunity to translate my leadership skill set as a veteran for the wilderness of the civilian world."
Bryan Sarg
Wilderness Medicine and Rescue Semester 2017, USMC Helicopter Pilot
Connect with the NOLS military advisor
Learn more about using your VA benefits, our service academy expeditions, or creating customized training for your unit.
