SMITHFIELD, N.C. — The first time Chris Lewis got his hands on a drone in the military, he was hooked. 

What You Need To Know

  • Vets to Drones has expanded nationwide
  • Over 500 veterans have signed up for the drone program
  • One Tree Planted is helping regrow areas that have been deforested

After he flew them throughout his time in the Army, his next question was how could he translate this into a career? 

“I started flying in the California fire and wild fire mitigation program first," Lewis said. "With my own personal experiences working outside with cool equipment, driving off road and meeting other veterans across the industry.” 

Once he began talking to more veterans, he noticed many of them were looking for an experience like his, taking the skills they learned in the military and applying them to their day-to-day jobs. 

Thus Vets to Drones was born. 

The company is helping veterans obtain their drone license and connecting them with drone observation opportunities in a number of fields. 

“We’re trying to give them a sense of adventure on the outside as well," Lewis said. "While still giving an opportunity to earn a livable wage or more than that, and getting into a 21st century career field.” 

Lewis began working with veterans in North Carolina this past June.

In less than a year he’s expanded nationwide with quite the following. 

“Now we’re up to 500 members nationwide in 30 different states, most of which are in North Carolina," Lewis said. "We do a lot of movement between Raleigh and Fort Bragg, of course, but we have folks all over the country able to fly, ready to fly and this technology.” 

With a nationwide group ready to take to the skies, Vets to Drones is now in its third phase of helping connect vets with observation jobs. 

Lewis has partnered with a number of organizations and companies, including power distribution, infrastructure and construction. 

But his most recent one might be one of the most impactful. 

“What we do is find a good site. Here’s our reforestation site here," Lewis shows on his tablet. "We have some farming here, and we’ve done some planting here.” 

Vets to Drones has partnered with One Tree Planted, a group restoring forests and creating habitats for biodiversity. 

The harvested mountain range they recently observed in Chalk Hill will one day be a beacon of regrowth, all thanks to the help of drones.

“We’ve done five sites across the U.S. so far, trying to get a proof of concept going to set up our standards and standard operating procedures for the sites we have coming forward," Lewis said. "We now have 40 projects available across the U.S., and we’re looking to get started in May.” 

While deforestation has wiped out thousands of acres of vibrant green forests, Lewis said he and his team can take pride in knowing they are playing a role in protecting our environment. 

After all, Lewis says every veteran took an oath to protect their communities. 

“Whether that’s hurricane response, wildfire mitigation or doing reforestation to help the environment, we just want to use cutting edge technology to make the world a better place," Lewis said.