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WE BELIEVE MONTANA CAN HEAL OUR VETERANS

OUR MOTTO:

"SUFFER WELL"

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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.

Certifications

We are always striving to bring the best product to our veteran participants

Candid

Psych Armor

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COMING SOON

America's Warrior Partnership

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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

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20

MISSIONS

17 MISSIONS DATING ALL THE WAY BACK TO 2016

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937

MILES

WHETHER IT IS ON OUR BACKS OR IN A RAFT. 

MVP's Pig egg with FHF bags to split it up while in the wilderness

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VETERANS

WE SPLIT THE PIG EGG UP AND ALL SHARE THE LOAD

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  UPCOMING 2025 TRIPS  

MAY
22-25

JUNE
19-22

AUG
7-10

SEPT
4-7

NEW THIS YEAR!
More info to come soon

JULY
9-14

JULY/AUG
26-3

**"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."
Veterans moving log rounds in an effort to keep the Smith River State Park clean

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

Our team talking with some happy campers on the Smith River

  MEET THE TEAM  

Executive Director Luke Urick Leading yoga in the Bob Marshall Wilderness

Luke Urick

Executive Director

USMC 2003-2012

"On the razor's edge of evolution, rests suffering."

Scott Moss MVP Operations Coordinator carrying a pack with an elk antler on the back

Scott Moss

Operations Coordinator 

USMC 1997-2001, 2003-2011

"🖖"

- Spock -

MVP wellness coordinator Joe Miller

Joe Miller

Wellness Coordinator

USMC 2003-2011

"Train hard so Life is easy."

Partnership Specialist Bryon Gustafson as the captain of a raft on the Smith River

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 -

Team leader Kaitlyn Stevenson in the Bob Marshall Wilderness

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 - 

Team Leader Chris Whitley after a 4 day trip in the Bob Marshall Wilderness

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

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Aaron Peters

Team Leader

US Army 1997-04

“He who fears he shall suffer, already suffers what he fears.”

Michel de Montaigne

 Thank You to Our Sponsors
- clickable links -
Go give them some suppo
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VETERANS MENTORING VETERANS

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