Nathanael Kruse: Since being in the Coast Guard, I've been stationed in three different bases, and I've been able to travel to over ten different countries. I went to Cozumel, Mexico, I've been to St. John's, I've been to St. Martin, I was able to go to Crete, Greece, and experience some amazing culture there, meet some amazing people, and I was also able to go to Djibouti, Africa, where I was able to experience some amazing sights.

Then I'm able to come to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where I'm able to see some of the amazing architecture they have here, some of the old forts, such as El Morro, be able to go along the boardwalk there and see some amazing sunsets or just go into town and spend some time with my friends, walking around admiring the sights and grabbing something to eat and drink.

Also there's the rainforest here that is one of the most beautiful things that I have seen in my life. I'm able to go through and see all the greenery, see the wildlife and just experience and take that all in. It's an amazing thing.

As a kid, I never expected to, you know, be traveling to all these places, and I'm only 25 years old. So the Coast Guard has given me the opportunity to experience so much, see so much — different cultures, see how people live, going to different places, and it's a very rewarding experience.

Did you know, service members can receive free admission into national parks?

Active duty service members and most reservists and National Guardmen qualify. You can obtain a free annual pass at most national parks with a military ID.

Head off and discover everything our Nation's national parks have to offer!