2027 Unbroken Spirit Veteran Program now accepting applications
Applications are now open for the 2027 Unbroken Spirit Veteran Program, a free yearlong initiative designed to help veterans find renewed purpose through challenge, personal growth, and community connection. The program, founded by veterans for veterans, offers three distinct team options for 2027, each combining virtual leadership training, immersive outdoor experiences, and ongoing mentorship. Space is limited, and the VA is encouraging interested veterans to apply as soon as possible.
Unbroken Spirit operates as a comprehensive three-phase program that extends well beyond a single outdoor adventure. The journey begins with 12 weeks of virtual leadership and personal development training conducted from home, where veterans work with their assigned team to strengthen body, mind, and spirit while learning practical tools for growth and leadership. Phase two brings participants together for intensive in-person experiences tailored to their physical capabilities. Phase three continues the journey through mentorship, additional training, community engagement, and service opportunities that help veterans apply what they learned and maintain connections with their teams.
The program specifically serves both able-bodied veterans and those living with physical disabilities through two distinct track options. Veterans with physical disabilities can participate in the adaptive sports team, which travels to the National Ability Center in Park City, Utah, for a week of adaptive winter sports and outdoor activities designed to build confidence and expand perceptions of what is possible. Veterans who choose the wilderness backpacking option spend six days hiking and camping in the mountains of western North Carolina, working as a team to face challenges together on the trail.
Three teams are scheduled for 2027, each with specific timelines. The Adaptive Sports Team, designated Team 1-27, runs from January 6 through September 29, 2027, with the Park City phase scheduled for March 19-25. The Summer Wilderness Backpacking Team, Team 2-27, operates from April 7, 2027, through March 31, 2028, with the North Carolina expedition taking place June 15-20. The Fall Wilderness Backpacking Team, Team 3-27, runs from August 4, 2027, through June 30, 2028, with the mountain phase scheduled for October 12-17. There is no cost to veterans for any aspect of the program.
For disabled veterans, programs like Unbroken Spirit represent an important complement to traditional VA healthcare and benefits. While disability compensation and medical care address financial stability and physical health, many veterans struggle with isolation, loss of purpose, and difficulty connecting with others who understand military service. Peer-based programs that combine physical challenge with structured personal development can play a meaningful role in overall wellbeing, particularly for those navigating the transition from military to civilian life or coping with service-connected conditions that have changed their sense of identity and capability.
Veterans interested in the 2027 Unbroken Spirit program should review the available team options and consider which timeline and activity type best fits their circumstances and goals. Because space is limited and applications are evaluated on a rolling basis, applying early improves the likelihood of selection. The program's structure makes it accessible to veterans with varying schedules and physical abilities, and the virtual components allow participation regardless of geographic location. Veterans should be prepared to commit to the full yearlong timeline for their chosen team, as the program's impact depends on sustained engagement across all three phases.