“It’s not just me that’s benefited from the 23V Recon program. My wife has benefited. My kids have benefited. My coworkers have noticed that I’m happier and healthier. One small change can affect a lot of people. The ripple effect touches our entire community.”
The Weight of Service
When Andy Beck enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2000, he expected discipline, camaraderie, and the opportunity to build a future. What he didn’t expect was how drastically his life would change after 9/11. He went from peacetime service to the front lines of the Iraq invasion, witnessing events that would shape the rest of his life.
Like many veterans, Andy was taught to push through. As he made the journey home reintegration was little more than a 30-minute class with this message drilled into him: “You saw some bad stuff. Don’t let it affect your family.” For years, he internalized that mentality—first in the Marines, then in his 21-year career as a firefighter and paramedic.
Breaking the Cycle
Andy first encountered 23rd Veteran through their forging class, a program designed to introduce veterans to new skills and community. He stayed connected, occasionally receiving emails from program coordinator Matt Rosky about upcoming opportunities, including 23rd Veteran’s Recon program, a 14-week mental wellness initiative for veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress.
For three years, Andy found excuses. Not the right time. Too many commitments. Not for me. Then, in 2023, during a particularly hard season of life, an email landed in his inbox with dates for the next 23V Recon trip. The trip lined up perfectly with his vacation days.
“I had no excuses left,” he said. “I couldn’t justify saying no.”
The 23V Recon Experience
23rd Veteran’s Reconditioning Program (23V Recon) is not traditional therapy. There are no doctors, no counselors, no sterile offices. Instead, veterans are placed in a physically and emotionally challenging environment—completely off-grid—where they engage in activities designed to rewire their brains and rebuild their comfort zones.
Executive Director, Mike Waldron explains, “The military does an excellent job preparing people for a military environment. It teaches us the language, the culture, and how to live by a unique set of rules. In many cases we even learn to be comfortable with killing. That mindset, coupled with traumatic experiences, doesn’t translate well to civilian life. 23rd Veteran’s Recon program trains veterans to thrive in a safe, civilian environment.”
For Andy, that meant a weeklong backpacking trip in California’s backcountry with six other veterans and facilitators. Phones were turned off. The only focus was nature, movement, and open conversation.
The first night, they gathered around a campfire. The question was simple: Why are you here?
Andy volunteered to go first.
“I laid it all out,” he recalled. “I told them everything I’d been holding in. And then, they just listened. No judgment, no advice, just acknowledgment. It wasn’t about validation. It was about finally getting it out.”
The next few days were grueling—both physically and mentally. Veterans took part in solo wilderness reflections, daily physical challenges, and guided conversations designed to help them reclaim control of their lives.
A Ripple Effect of Change
After returning home, the program continued with 13 weeks of structured group therapy sessions, preceded by physical activity and followed by community events. The exercise served as a foundation learning, priming the group for mental and emotional growth, while group reflection helped Andy process experiences and develop a renewed perspective on life, leading to changes he never thought possible.
“The workouts weren’t just about fitness,” he said. “They were about rewiring my responses, pushing my limits, and engaging with the world in a new way.”
Andy’s transformation didn’t go unnoticed. His fire department in Duluth made policy changes after hearing about his experience, and now allows first responders to take paid sick leave to participate in the 23V Recon program. Additionally, his fire chief arranged overtime coverage for any participant needing to take part in workouts during their shifts, ensuring that the program was fully accessible without financial strain.
Since completing 23V Recon, Andy has become an ambassador for 23rd Veteran, speaking at fundraisers, mentoring other first responders in crisis, and helping veterans understand that healing is possible. His story is a testament to resilience—the kind of resilience that led the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation to award 23rd Veteran a Resilience Grant from the Community Opportunity Fund.
“Resilience isn’t just about surviving. It’s about having the confidence to keep going, to keep trying. That’s what 23rd Veteran gave me.”
Andy has also found support through Hogs for Heroes, a nonprofit that has gifted over 50 Harley-Davidsons to Wisconsin veterans over the last eight years. For Andy, the motorcycle became more than a vehicle—it was a symbol of the community rallying around him when he finally said, I need help. “Good things have happened, because I raised my hand and asked for help.”
What If It Works?
Andy doesn’t have all the answers. But he knows this: There’s life outside of the “suffocating bubble” he experienced for years.
To any veteran questioning if they should take that next step, Andy offers this advice: “What do you have to lose? You’ve tried things before and they didn’t work. But what if this one does?”
23rd Veteran reports that 95% of 23V Recon graduates over the past six years have reported living a happier and higher quality of life. Many graduates have returned to the workforce, healthier family lives, and stronger contributors to their community.
Get Involved
23rd Veteran’s programs are free for active military, veterans, and they are currently piloting programs with first responders. There are opportunities for civilians to pay to participate as well. The programs are funded by community donors and grants like those from the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. You can help by:
- Donating here to support veteran mental health programs.
- Spreading the word to veterans and first responders who may benefit – actively recruiting for 23V Recon program participants in Duluth, the Iron Range and the Twin Cities.
- Participating in events like the annual Ruck March on May 31, 2025 in the Twin Ports, and the 10-Year Anniversary of Ruck Life in the Twin Cities on September 6.
- Sponsoring the Ruck March to help raise critical funds
- Joining the Board—23rd Veteran is actively seeking passionate board members to help guide its mission.
Learn more at 23rdVeteran.org.
About the Community Opportunity Fund
23rd Veteran has been a recipient of multiple awards from our Community Opportunity Fund – a permanent civic endowment that fosters collaboration, amplifies resources, and addresses the root causes of community challenges. This fund supports ambitious, long-term initiatives in three key areas: Opportunity, Resilience, and Belonging. You can contribute to this fund and join us in making a lasting impact – Make Your Gift Today.
