WQW is evolving: 3 clarifications on our striving organization

Warriors & Quiet Waters is a Veteran Services Organization that enables post-9/11 combat veterans to thrive.

If you’ve been following our organization for the last year, you’ve seen Warriors & Quiet Waters has been striving to do more for more – all to increase our impact on participants and their loved ones. We’ve launched new programming like Built for More and Hunt for Purpose, and updated our mission statement and website to more accurately reflect WQW’s purpose for being.

We’ve evolved, not because what we've done since 2007 wasn't awesome, but because we've realized we have the potential to do more, so we're striving to do more. We’re grateful that the WQW Community has supported our commitment to serving post-9/11 combat veterans as intentionally as possible.

“This week was about so much more than just fishing. In terms of helping me with my mental health, this has been the most impactful program I have been exposed to as a veteran.”

-Rob Griggs, U.S. Army

We’ve started to notice some common misperceptions that we want to set straight.

Misperception: Warriors must be recipients of the Purple Heart Award to qualify for our programs.
Clarification: You don’t need a Purple Heart to participate in WQW programs.

Because people see it in our logo, we are often asked if a Purple Heart is required to participate in WQW programs. The answer? No. In actuality, the primary requirements to participate in WQW programming are to have deployed and have received imminent danger pay in the post-9/11 era; have incurred a service-related challenge that hinders thriving post-service; and have the desire to thrive and find peace, meaning, and purpose.

Misperception: We’re a fly-fishing organization.
Clarification: Fly fishing is the primary mechanism that we use to serve Warriors, but we are first and foremost a Veteran Services Organization that enables post-9/11 combat veterans to thrive.

Regardless of how we impact veterans (fly fishing, archery elk hunting, photography, conservation projects), our focus is on the why behind our impact. This is reflected in our revised mission statement:

Warriors & Quiet Waters guides post-9/11 combat veterans and their loved ones to thrive and find peace, meaning, and purpose through fly fishing and other inspirational activities in nature.

One example is Built for More, our new program model that launches this spring. Merging the power of outdoor pursuits, the support of fellow comrades, and the expertise and structure of a proprietary online personal growth program, Warriors will determine who they are, what they believe, and where they find meaning. While Built for More participants will spend their time in Montana fly fishing and being immersed in nature, it’s fly fishing for a purpose: to enable Warriors to thrive and find peace, meaning, and purpose.

Misperception: We only work with Montana Warriors, volunteers, or supporters.
Clarification: We’re a national organization that engages Warriors, volunteers, and supporters from across the United States.

Montana is our home base and one of our competitive advantages. Quiet Waters Ranch, Southwestern Montana, and the public and private waters we bring Warriors to are all a part of what makes WQW unique. We make Quiet Waters Ranch feel like a home away from home. We immerse our participants in a world-class environment that allows them access to some of the country's most pristine waters and wild landscapes.

We’ve served Warriors from all but four states (Delaware, Mississippi, Nebraska, and Vermont), and our supporters span all 50 states.

It is our honor to put Warriors First, Always, no matter what part of our great nation they come from.