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WE BELIEVE MONTANA CAN HEAL OUR VETERANS
OUR MOTTO:
"SUFFER WELL"
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Montana Vet Program (MVP) is to provide Veteran Led Therapeutic Adventure Trips (VLTAT) to our country's struggling veterans in order to promote healing through: camaraderie, physical activity, adventure and tough-minded healing.
At the heart of MVP's VLTATs, is our 75lb. "Pig-Egg" (a bag containing the nearly 7,000 dog-tags from the men and women who honorably gave their lives serving in Iraq and Afghanistan) that our Veteran Team Leaders and our Veteran participants hike or float over moderate distances (20-30miles).
Montanan's wild, rugged and iconic landscapes provide the tranquil and therapeutic backdrops for our Veteran Led Therapeutic Adventure Trips. However, our trips are not luxury vacations spent in a campground or in a hotel. Our trips are spent navigating arduous terrain, dealing with weather, wildlife, popping blisters, sleeping on the ground, eating camp food, and pushing our minds and bodies to their limits. But, from this suffering and hardship comes camaraderie, communication, knowledge, laughter, inspiration, self-reflection, and tough-minded healing. We. Suffer. Well!
Goal:
Using the Pig Egg, Montana's landscapes, and MVP's equipment, and team leader's, MVP wants to educate, and empower other veterans, not only, in safe and modern wilderness travel, but in wellness practices and perspectives evolution related to a veteran's journey from a warrior in a war zone to a warrior in a peace zone.
Check out our recent conversation
with Josh Smith of
Montana Knife Company
Click here to listen to the podcast >>>
PIG EGG
What is a "Pig Egg"?
The term “Pig Egg” comes from the Marine Corps Scout Sniper Community. Generally, a Pig Egg is a 30 to 50 pound sandbag or rock carried by the Marine who is attempting to become a Scout Sniper. The Pig Egg’s only purpose is to incur pain and teach the Marine suffering. From the Pig Egg’s lessons comes the Marine Scout Snipers' understanding of resilience.
The Montana Vet Program’s Pig Egg is 75lbs. and is full of the 7,054 Dog-Tags from the men and women who honorably gave their lives serving in Iraq, and Afghanistan. MVP’s Pig Egg accompanies the Veteran Team Leaders and the Veteran participates on all hikes or floats.
The KBOC’s Pig Eggs are also 75 pounds and full of sand. During the team event, 5 man teams collectively carry their Pig Egg through the entire course and over all obstacles. The teams are told to think of their Pig Egg as the sixth man of their team.
PIG EGG STATS
WE BRING THE PIG EGG ON OUR VLTAT'S SO WE ARE REMINDED OF THE FREEDOM WE HAVE, BECAUSE OF THE DOG TAGS WE CARRY
16
MISSIONS
15 MISSIONS DATING ALL THE WAY BACK TO 2016
742
MILES
WHETHER IT IS ON OUR BACKS OR IN A RAFT.
126
VETERANS
WE SPLIT THE PIG EGG UP AND ALL SHARE THE LOAD
UPCOMING 2024 TRIPS
MAY
9-12
JUNE
13-16
AUG
8-11
SEPT
5-8
**"Due to the wild nature of Montana's weather (snow, extreme colds, high winds, floods, forest fires and more), MVP plans a primary location for all of its trips while always having multiple backup locations to choose from in the event of dangerous weather conditions. We reserve the right to change the location of our trips for such reasons."
Empowering Healing Through Nature's Restoration
CONSERVATION
We actively contribute to the preservation of Montana's awe-inspiring landscapes. With a commitment to both healing and conservation, MVP's Veteran Led Therapeutic Adventure Trips integrate the power of nature's rejuvenation with hands-on conservation efforts. As you explore Montana's wilderness, you'll not only embark on a personal journey of growth and resilience but also make a positive impact on the environment. Our Smith River trips are in partnership with USFS and FWP. Our hiking trips have a focus on leaving everything better than we found it.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
Scott Moss explains everything you need to know about our gear and what to bring from home
MEET THE TEAM
Luke Urick
Executive Director
USMC 2003-2012
"On the razor's edge of evolution, rests suffering."
Scott Moss
Operations Coordinator
USMC 1997-2001, 2003-2011
"🖖"
- Spock -
Joe Miller
Wellness Coordinator
USMC 2003-2011
"Train hard so Life is easy."
Bryon Gustafson
Partnership Specialist
Army Infantry 2003-2007
"The farther one gets into the wilderness, the greater is the attraction of its lonely freedom."
- Theodore Roosevelt -
Kaitlyn Stevenson
Team Leader
Air Force 2013-2019
"It's when the discomfort strikes that they realize a strong mind is the most powerful weapon of all."
- Chrissie Wellington -
Chris Whitley
Team Leader
Air Force 2005 - Present
"Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity."
John Muir - 1901
Thank You to Our Sponsors
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Go give them some support
VETERANS MENTORING VETERANS
