Billings Marine Veteran Transforms Battle with PTSD Through Revolutionary Adaptive Surfing Program

Matt Wolcott never expected the Pacific Ocean to become his greatest ally in conquering the demons of war.

The 50-year-old Billings Marine veteran, who served with distinction from 1993 to 2000, recently made history as the first local resident to participate in the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic in San Diego.

What began as a desperate search for healing from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury became a transformative journey that challenged everything Wolcott thought he knew about recovery.

After rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant, Wolcott's military career left him with devastating physical and mental wounds.

Two broken necks and severe lower back injuries compounded the invisible battles raging in his mind from PTSD and TBI.

The August clinic brought together 150 veterans from across the country for five intensive days of adaptive sports therapy, including kayaking, cycling, fitness training, sailing, and the crown jewel — surfing.

For Wolcott, the bilateral movement required in surfing created something medical professionals call neuroplasticity — the brain's ability to rewire itself for healing.

"Bilateral movement is really good for brain injuries, for PTSD, you're focused on that and that alone," Wolcott explained while catching waves in California.

"You're not worried about your bills, worried about your medical appointments, you're just in the moment, and there's something about that that brings peace."

The Department of Veterans Affairs designed this annual program specifically to help recently injured veterans heal through adaptive sports, targeting conditions like amputations, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injuries.

Qualifying disabilities include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, visual impairments, burns, and multiple sclerosis, among others.

But for Billings veterans like Wolcott, the real breakthrough came from shattering the isolation that often defines post-combat life.

"I think our tendency is to isolate, and the warrior culture has taught us that vulnerability is weakness, but it's not," Wolcott reflected.

"It's actually our strength."

The camaraderie forged between veterans facing similar battles proved as therapeutic as the physical activities themselves.

"What I found is there are other people that gained from me being here, to support them and share it with them," Wolcott discovered during his historic week in San Diego.

Montana State University recently received a $2.3 million grant to expand mental health resources in rural parts of the state, highlighting the growing recognition of veteran mental health needs.

The Billings Vet Center offers confidential help for veterans and their families at no cost, providing counseling for depression, PTSD, and military sexual trauma.

For Wolcott, the clinic represented more than therapy — it became a launching pad for reclaiming life on his own terms.

"We found our comfort in chaos," he observed, encouraging fellow veterans to embrace challenging opportunities.

"Even though this seems chaotic and it's a stretch to come and be around this many people and the noise and do things outside our comfort zone, that's actually where we thrive the most."

The 2025 National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic is scheduled for August 23-30 in San Diego, with veteran registration now closed for this year's event.

Wolcott's message to struggling veterans remains clear: "Get back into the chaos."