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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).
Montana'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.
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
25
1164
177
MISSIONS
23 MISSIONS DATING ALL THE WAY BACK TO 2016
MILES
WHETHER IT IS ON OUR BACKS OR IN A RAFT.
VETERANS
WE SPLIT THE PIG EGG UP AND ALL SHARE THE LOAD
UPCOMING 2025 TRIPS
2026
DATES & DETAILS
COMING SOON
**"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."
PROVIDING
A NEW MISSION FOR
VETERANS
CONSERVATION
Since 2019, Montana Vet Program has provided over
$99,945.49
​worth of manpower supporting Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in conservation efforts along the Smith River. Our veteran volunteers have worked tirelessly to restore campsites, clear invasive species, repair trails, and protect this iconic waterway for future generations.
For many veterans, service doesn’t end when they leave the military—it simply takes a new form. Our conservation work provides purpose, camaraderie, and a renewed sense of mission, all while making a real impact on Montana’s wild places. By giving back to the land, veterans rediscover the strength, resilience, and teamwork that defined their time in uniform.
WHAT GEAR IS PROVIDED?
Certifications
We are always striving to bring the best product to our veteran participants
Candid
Psych Armor
America's Warrior Partnership
