top of page

WE BELIEVE MONTANA CAN HEAL OUR VETERANS

OUR MOTTO

"SUFFER WELL"

VLTAT-2-23-19.jpg

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

mtvet6_40125163792_o_edited_edited.jpg

14

MISSIONS

13 MISSIONS DATING ALL THE WAY BACK TO 2016

PigEggonFloat_edited.jpg

647

MILES

WETHER IT IS ON OUR BACKS OR IN A RAFT. 

img_20180811_135209_46067937684_o_edited

116

MUSTER

EVERYONE GETS A TURN TO CARRY THE LOAD

a generic topographic map

OUR MISSION

The mission of the Montana Vet Program (MVP) is to provide Veteran Led Therapeutic Adventure Trips (VLTAT) to our state's, and the surrounding states, 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.

A group of veterans enjoying companionship, while performing conservation work on the Smith River

  UPCOMING 2023 TRIPS  

MAY
4th-7th

JUNE
8th-11th

**"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."
Scott Moss and Luke Urick digging a latrine on the Smith River State Park

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.

ED | VLTAT 22-1

The Smith River trip was amazing. It was incredible to spend 4 days floating down a river in the heart of the Montana backcountry with fellow veterans.
I’d absolutely recommend this trip to people and I already have. The knowledge, hard work and dedication that Luke, Scott and Joe have for MVP trips is evident in how flawless the trip went.

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  

MVP Excutive Director Luke Urick

Luke Urick

Executive Director

Resilient, Evolving, Kind-Hearted, Monstrous, Laughable, Spiritual, Different.

MVP Operations Coordinator Scott Moss

Scott Moss

Operations Coordinator & Team Leader

Ami, Dogs, Focused, Maps, Snickers, Sarcastic, Stubborn.

IMG_9530.jpg

Joe Miller

Team Leader

Loyal, Adventurous, Humble, Outgoing, Resourceful, Ambitious, Resilient.

 Thank You to Our Sponsors
- clickable links -
Go give them some suppo
rt
AW4Vets No Background_blue url 1.png
FHF LOGO.png

VETERANS MENTORING VETERANS

SmithandRogue.png
MontanaPolotsAssociation.png
vets 4 vets.webp
KMDesignsLogo.png
bottom of page