For most servicemembers the military is not just a job but also a way of life. When their time in the military comes to an end and they transition back to the civilian world, it is often not the job that is missed most, but the lack of adrenaline and adventure in their day to day life. From patrolling hostile waters, engaging the enemy in combat, exploring far off lands, or diving into the deep blue, military members train and explore the world in a very different manner then their civilian counterparts. That is why veteran membership is high in clubs and organizations that offer an opportunity for adventure and exploration.

The International Explorers Club is a "multidisciplinary professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research, scientific exploration, and the ideal that preserving the instinct to explore is vital."

There are many veterans involved in The Pacific Northwest Explorers club including Vietnam veterans Ron Zuber (USN), Bruce Patzmann (USN) and Jim Chester (Army). Zuber served in Vietnam in 67-68 and currently pursues alpine wilderness cave exploration. Patzmann served on active duty in the US Navy, was stationed with Patrol Squadron 16 , and served in the Naval Reserves from 1967 to 1989, says he is a "retired Naval Aviator that flew the P-3 multiengine airplane, with one tour in Vietnam patrolling the coasts of North and South Vietnam." Chester, who attended ROTC leadership camp at Fort Lewis in the summer of 1965, served in Germany and Vietnam before resigning his commission in 1970 as an Army Captain is a cave explorer.

Navy Veteran Rick William's favorite experience thus far was the annual meeting honoring arctic explorers in New York at the Waldorf Astoria. Williams spent 25 years in the U.S. Navy and twenty-two years participating in the Explorers. William, who led two expeditions to the North Pole in 1992 and 1993 as commanding officer of nuclear attack submarine USS Spadefish, is not new to exploration. His military experience and training has made him a valuable member of the club, he explained that he was elected a "Fellow of the Explorers Club as a Navy lieutenant after dive to 20,000 feet depth in Deep Submergence Vehicle SEA CLIFF" Williams retired from the Navy as a captain (O-6) in 2000. He continues to participate in the Explorers club and defines the experience as, "Rewarding.  I have met remarkable people."

The clubs journal "Chronicles of the Pacific Northwest Explorer" can be found online and contains multiple articles on the clubs adventures. There are many upcoming events that members will be participating in. Including a "Green Lake Bat Walk" on June 22 and the "Pacific Northwest Explorers Annual Dinner" on November 14. For more information, call (425) 861-3472) or email info@nwexplorers.org