Desert Shield’s foundation is its large network of highly permittable biologists qualified across the full range of desert species - this is the primary value we bring to clients. Alongside this expertise, we intentionally integrate a growing group of veterans whose discipline, situational awareness, and dependability elevate the performance of our monitoring and compliance teams. Veterans currently represent a smaller portion of our workforce, but expanding their presence is central to our mission: creating a pathway for veterans to transition into stable, high-impact environmental careers while strengthening the quality and reliability of the teams we provide.

Special Operations and other military veterans excel as environmental monitors and surveyors because they bring unmatched discipline, situational awareness, and adaptability to challenging field conditions. Their training in operating effectively in remote, high-pressure environments translates directly to safe, precise, and reliable compliance work. With a mission-first mindset and proven ability to work seamlessly within diverse teams, they are a force multiplier for any project.

Caitlin first saw this potential during her time as the Biological Compliance Manager for POWER Engineers’ 700-mile Greenlink Transmission Project, where she brought veterans onto the team for field monitoring. Field leads quickly recognized them as some of the most reliable personnel in the field. They learned quickly, were observant, respected chain of command, worked smoothly with construction crews, took direction easily, and understood their role and how to execute it. That experience, plus years of working as a subcontractor on large projects was the spark that inspired the founding of Desert Shield: a firm built to give clients reliable biological monitors, surveyors, and compliance personnel, while advancing its mission to help veterans transition into high-impact environmental careers.

Josh recognized another critical opportunity. Many veterans, particularly those from the national guard or reserves, balance their service work with civilian careers, often through contract roles abroad for private firms. He saw a strong demand for something different, meaningful domestic opportunities that would let veterans apply their operational and observational expertise without leaving the country or their families for months at a time. By reaching into his extensive network of highly trained veterans, Desert Shield began building a pipeline that connects these skilled professionals with compliance-driven environmental careers here at home.

That foundation, combined with a trusted network of experienced biologists built over more than a decade of consulting, is how Desert Shield delivers compliance support that is reliable, safe, and efficient. By blending veteran precision with seasoned biological expertise, we provide clients with a team that can mobilize quickly, operate seamlessly in remote environments, and ensure projects stay on schedule while meeting all regulatory requirements.