We require confirmation of participation in post-9/11 combat operations, either through combat awards or proof of service in a location in which you received Imminent Danger Pay.

Please include your service record (DD214 Member-4, ERB, ORB, BIR, BTR, etc.). We recognize that service records are confidential and are stored securely.

Check the following locations on your DD214 to ensure eligibility (only one of the following requirements must appear):

• Block 13: Decorations Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons (check the continuation page for overflow of Block 13 information).

• Block 18: Remarks. This is where you will find information about receiving Imminent Danger Pay.

If you do not see confirmation of participation in combat operations on your DD214, or if you are currently Active Duty and do not possess a DD214, please provide any official documentation of combat related service. This can include, but is not limited to:

• Award Citations for Combat Awards (i.e., Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon/Badge/Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star with "V" device, etc.)

• Service Record (which clearly indicates combat service and/or deployment information)

If you do NOT possess any of the above documentation, but think you still qualify, let us know why in your application!

No, you DO NOT have to be a Purple Heart recipient to qualify for our programs.

None. WQW programs are provided at no cost to the participant, including paid-for air travel to Montana, comfortable lodging and home-cooked meals, professional instruction, and gear.

Yes, in most cases, all clothing and equipment issued on your initial experience is yours to keep! Our goal is to set you up with everything you need so you can continue to tap into your new skills independently without gear as a barrier.

Loaned specialty gear will be issued on capstone experiences, including but not limited to ice fishing and backcountry experiences, and this gear will be returned at the end of the experience.

Yes, Quiet Waters Ranch is accessible for wounded warriors. We work to accommodate all warriors to the fullest extent possible. Our staff, guides, and volunteers are well-versed at accommodating various types of wounds and conditions (including those who are visually and audibly impaired) to ensure a positive and rewarding experience.

Yes. WQW has a service dog acknowledgment and agreement that allows service dogs to go fishing with participants.

WQW has an active zero alcohol and substance policy on all experiences.

Built for More discusses spiritual fitness, not religion. There’s space in our program to incorporate any spiritual practices that contribute to your growth. We do not encourage any particular religious stance (including being religious at all), and ask that you respect religious differences across your cohort.

Absolutely. WQW strives to build long-term relationships with our participants through our Alumni Engagement Program, and we are always looking to have you return for more experiences or as a volunteer. However, Warriors who attend their first experience are not guaranteed an invitation to return for future programs.

Yes, you’ll find both wifi and cell phone service at the ranch. However, the ranch is an ideal place to take a break from your devices and reconnect with yourself and your community. We highly recommend being fully present as much as possible for this one-of-a-kind experience.

While we relied on experts to develop our program, it is completely non-clinical and non-medical. That said, we support Warriors in getting all the care they need, and you’ll continue your existing care during the program. If therapy or psychiatric care is something you choose to start during the program, we’re happy to make recommendations for veteran-focused organizations.

These proven expeditions are still the bookends to the Built for More Fishing Track—but now, there’s an essential new program in between. Past Warriors were impressed with how these reflective outdoor adventures could serve as a turning point in their lives and requested more guidance for making long-term changes. Built for More answers that call with a structured, expert-driven program that still relies heavily on those original excursions.

There are still shorter specialty programs for military couples and caregivers, but all first-time Warriors now start with Built for More.

Participants should reserve a full five days for the Initial Fishing Experience and Capstone Fishing Experience. The Discovery Phase only requires a few hours a month, but many participants choose to commit more.

Built for More is a program we developed ourselves, rooted in in-depth research, evidence-based expertise in wellness and psychology, and our own years of experience. It’s structured to be challenging, but not overwhelming, as you dive into self-exploration, identify areas of growth, and develop healthy habits. You can expect elements of video, facilitated group discussion, reflection, and skill development exercises.

Built for More programs launch throughout the year and are timed around the best outdoor conditions. When you apply, we’ll work with you to figure out where you fit in best. Sometimes, this means the program moves more quickly over six months, or more slowly over a year. In every case, it’s doable.

Yes.  Our strategic goal is to double our capacity in Built for More over the next five years.  While we’re building toward that goal, we’ll continue to focus on making our programs richer and more effective for every veteran we serve.