Montana Veterans: Healthcare Facilities, Education Benefits & Job Resources

Montana serves approximately 87,000 veterans - about 10.7% of the state's adult population, one of the highest concentrations in the nation. Whether you're transitioning to civilian life or already living in Montana, you need to know what healthcare facilities, education benefits, and job opportunities are available.

This guide provides actual addresses, phone numbers, and actionable information for Montana veterans.

Bottom Line Up Front

Healthcare: Montana has 1 VA medical center (Fort Harrison), 7+ community-based clinics, and 2 state veterans homes

Education: Montana GI Bill Education Program (tuition assistance), strong veteran support at University of Montana and Montana State University

Employment: State hiring preference, Malmstrom Air Force Base civilian opportunities, federal land management jobs, and growing tech sector

Veteran Population Hotspots: Yellowstone County/Billings (10,000+), Flathead County (8,500+), Gallatin County/Bozeman (7,000+)

VA Healthcare Facilities in Montana

VA Medical Center

Fort Harrison VA Medical Center - Helena

Address: 3687 Veterans Drive, Fort Harrison, MT 59636 Phone: (406) 442-6410 Main line: 1-877-468-8387 Emergency Care: 24/7 emergency department

Bed count: 94 beds (acute and long-term care)

Services:

• Emergency department (24/7)
• Primary care
• Mental health services (inpatient and outpatient)
• Surgery (general, orthopedic)
• Internal medicine
• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Women's health clinic
• Physical therapy/rehabilitation
• Dental clinic
• Pharmacy
• Laboratory
• Radiology/imaging
• Prosthetics
• Audiology
• Optometry

Specialty programs:

• PTSD residential rehabilitation program (one of the largest in VA system)
• Substance abuse treatment
• Homeless veteran services
• Domiciliary care (residential rehabilitation)
• Telehealth services (critical for Montana's rural areas)
• Post-deployment health services
• Military Sexual Trauma treatment

Long-term care:

• Community Living Center (nursing home care)
• Geriatric evaluation and management

Parking: Free parking available on-site

Fort Harrison VA serves all of Montana - the only VA medical center in the state

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs)

Montana's CBOCs are critical for reducing travel burden in this geographically large state.

Billings VA Clinic

Address: 1766 Majestic Lane, Billings, MT 59102 Phone: (406) 651-3430

Services: Primary care, mental health, audiology, telehealth

Counties served: Yellowstone, Big Horn, Carbon, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, and surrounding areas

Bozeman VA Clinic

Address: 300 North Willson Avenue, Bozeman, MT 59715 Phone: (406) 582-8095

Services: Primary care, mental health, telehealth

Counties served: Gallatin, Park, Madison, and surrounding areas

Great Falls VA Clinic

Address: 1417 9th Street South, Great Falls, MT 59405 Phone: (406) 452-1975

Services: Primary care, mental health, telehealth

Counties served: Cascade, Teton, Pondera, Chouteau, and surrounding areas

Near Malmstrom Air Force Base

Kalispell VA Clinic

Address: 31 Three Mile Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901 Phone: (406) 758-3385

Services: Primary care, mental health, telehealth

Counties served: Flathead, Lincoln, Lake, and surrounding areas (Northwest Montana)

Miles City VA Clinic

Address: 210 South Winchester Avenue, Miles City, MT 59301 Phone: (406) 874-5600

Services: Primary care, mental health, telehealth

Counties served: Eastern Montana including Custer, Powder River, Rosebud counties

Missoula VA Clinic

Address: 2687 Palmer Street, Suite C, Missoula, MT 59808 Phone: (406) 542-8250

Services: Primary care, mental health, telehealth

Counties served: Missoula, Mineral, Ravalli, Sanders, and surrounding areas (Western Montana)

Cut Bank VA Clinic

Address: 601 West Main Street, Cut Bank, MT 59427 Phone: (406) 873-2179

Services: Primary care, mental health

Counties served: Northern Montana border area

Vet Centers (Readjustment Counseling)

Vet Centers provide confidential counseling for combat veterans, military sexual trauma survivors, and bereaved family members.

Billings Vet Center Address: 2795 Enterprise Avenue, Suite 1, Billings, MT 59102 Phone: (406) 657-6071

Missoula Vet Center Address: 910 Brooks Street, Missoula, MT 59801 Phone: (406) 721-4918

Services: PTSD counseling, substance abuse counseling, employment counseling, family counseling, military sexual trauma counseling, bereavement counseling, readjustment counseling

Telehealth Services

Given Montana's rural geography and limited number of VA facilities, telehealth is critical for Montana veterans.

VA Video Connect: Allows appointments from home via smartphone, tablet, or computer

Available telehealth services:

• Primary care
• Mental health counseling
• PTSD treatment
• Specialty consultations
• Medication management
• Nutrition counseling

How to access: Contact your VA clinic or Fort Harrison VA to set up telehealth appointments

Wait Times and Quality Ratings

Fort Harrison VA Medical Center: Generally rated average to above average for most services

CBOC wait times: Vary by location and specialty, typically 7-21 days for primary care (Montana's rural nature and provider shortages affect wait times)

Best practice: Enroll in VA healthcare as soon as you separate from active duty, even if you don't plan to use it immediately. This locks in your eligibility and priority group.

How to Enroll in VA Healthcare

Online: va.gov/health-care/apply Phone: 1-877-222-VETS (8387) In person: Visit Fort Harrison VA or any CBOC with your DD-214

Documents needed:

• DD-214 (discharge paperwork)
• Social Security card
• Insurance information (if you have other coverage)

State Veterans Homes (Nursing Care)

Montana operates two state veterans homes providing skilled nursing and long-term care:

1. Montana Veterans' Home - Columbia Falls

Location: 200 Montana Veterans' Home Drive, Columbia Falls, MT 59912 Phone: (406) 892-3256 Beds: 130 Services: Skilled nursing, long-term care, memory care, rehabilitation

Nearest metro: Kalispell/Whitefish area (Flathead County)

Setting: Beautiful location near Glacier National Park

2. Montana Veterans' Home - Glendive

Location: 1900 Montana Avenue, Glendive, MT 59330 Phone: (406) 377-3340 Beds: 80 Services: Skilled nursing, long-term care

Nearest metro: Eastern Montana (serves eastern Montana veterans)

Eligibility: Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and received honorable discharge. Some eligibility for spouses.

Cost: Sliding scale based on income. VA aid and attendance benefits can help cover costs.

How to apply: Contact the facility directly or visit montanadva.gov

Education Benefits for Montana Veterans

Montana GI Bill Education Program

Montana's primary education benefit for veterans - provides full tuition waiver at Montana University System schools for eligible veterans.

Eligibility:

• Received honorable discharge
• Served at least 12 months of active duty OR discharged early due to service-connected disability OR activated National Guard/Reserve serving at least 6 months
• Montana resident
• Enrolled at Montana University System institution

Benefit amount:

• Full tuition waiver at Montana University System schools
• Does not cover fees, books, or housing
• Can be used for undergraduate or graduate programs

Qualifying schools: All Montana University System institutions:

• University of Montana (Missoula)
• Montana State University (Bozeman)
• Montana Tech (Butte)
• Montana State University - Northern (Havre)
• Montana State University - Billings
• University of Montana - Western (Dillon)
• Montana Technological University
• Montana community colleges

Important: This benefit stacks with federal GI Bill benefits! Use federal GI Bill for living expenses, Montana GI Bill for tuition.

How to apply:

1. Apply for admission to Montana University System school
2. Submit DD-214 to school's registrar/veterans office
3. Complete Montana GI Bill application
4. School certifies eligibility

Montana Tuition Assistance Program (National Guard)

Eligibility: Montana National Guard members in good standing

Benefit: Up to 100% tuition at Montana University System schools

Cap: $4,500 per year (covers full tuition at most Montana schools)

Use: Undergraduate and graduate programs

Post-9/11 GI Bill - Montana Schools

Montana schools actively support GI Bill students:

University of Montana (Missoula)

Yellow Ribbon: Limited slots available Veteran enrollment: 800+ student veterans BAH rate: ~$1,450/month (Missoula rate, varies annually)

Contact: Veterans Education & Transition Services (VETS) Phone: (406) 243-2744 Website: umt.edu/veterans

Programs: Strong programs in forestry, wildlife biology, business, education, health professions

Montana State University (Bozeman)

Yellow Ribbon: Limited slots available Veteran enrollment: 600+ student veterans BAH rate: ~$1,550/month (Bozeman rate, varies annually)

Contact: Veterans & Military Services Phone: (406) 994-7627 Website: montana.edu/veterans

Programs: Strong programs in engineering, agriculture, nursing, business, sciences

Montana Tech (Butte)

Veteran enrollment: 200+ student veterans BAH rate: ~$1,050/month

Contact: Veteran Services Programs: Engineering, mining, environmental science, nursing

Carroll College (Helena - Private)

Yellow Ribbon: Available Benefit: Helps cover private school tuition gap

Contact: Veterans Services Programs: Nursing, engineering, education (Catholic liberal arts college)

In-State Tuition for Veterans

Veterans using GI Bill benefits qualify for in-state tuition at Montana public schools under the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (VACAA), regardless of residency status.

Eligibility:

• Using Post-9/11 GI Bill or Montgomery GI Bill
• Living in Montana while attending school
• Enrolling within 3 years of discharge

Combined with Montana GI Bill's full tuition waiver, this makes Montana higher education essentially free for eligible veterans.

Top GI Bill Schools in Montana (by Veteran Enrollment)

1. University of Montana (Missoula) - 800+ student veterans
2. Montana State University (Bozeman) - 600+ student veterans
3. Montana State University - Billings - 250+ student veterans
4. Montana Tech (Butte) - 200+ student veterans
5. Montana State University - Northern (Havre) - 150+ student veterans

Employment Resources for Montana Veterans

State Hiring Preference

Montana law provides hiring preference to veterans for state government jobs.

Who qualifies:

• Honorably discharged veterans
• Disabled veterans receive additional preference points

How it works: Veterans who meet minimum qualifications receive preference points added to their application score, providing advantage over non-veteran applicants.

Where to apply: statecareers.mt.gov

Montana Department of Military Affairs - Veterans Services

Phone: (406) 324-3742 Services:

• Job search assistance
• Resume writing
• Interview preparation
• Employer connections
• Apprenticeship programs
• Vocational rehabilitation referrals

Veterans Employment Representative: Available through Montana Department of Labor & Industry

Major Employers Hiring Veterans

Malmstrom Air Force Base (Great Falls)

Malmstrom AFB is Montana's primary military installation - Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) wing

Civilian opportunities:

• Engineering positions
• IT and cybersecurity
• Administrative support
• Facilities management
• Security
• Aircraft maintenance

Contractors at Malmstrom:

• Booz Allen Hamilton
• Lockheed Martin
• Northrop Grumman
• SAIC
• General Dynamics

How to apply: usajobs.gov - filter by Malmstrom AFB

Base personnel: ~3,500 active duty, 1,000+ civilians

Federal Land Management Agencies

Montana's vast federal lands create significant employment opportunities:

USDA Forest Service

• Montana has 10 National Forests
• Positions: Firefighting, forestry, recreation management, law enforcement
• Seasonal and full-time positions
• Veteran preference applies

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

• Manages 8 million acres in Montana
• Positions: Range management, wildlife biology, recreation, law enforcement

National Park Service

• Glacier National Park (major employer)
• Yellowstone National Park (Montana portion)
• Bighorn Canyon, Little Bighorn Battlefield
• Positions: Park rangers, maintenance, interpretation, law enforcement

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

• National Wildlife Refuges throughout Montana
• Positions: Wildlife biology, refuge management, law enforcement

How to apply: usajobs.gov - these agencies actively hire veterans

Healthcare Employers

Benefis Health System - Great Falls (largest employer in north-central Montana) Billings Clinic - Billings (largest in state) St. Vincent Healthcare - Billings Providence St. Patrick Hospital - Missoula Kalispell Regional Medical Center - Kalispell Logan Health - Northwest Montana

Many healthcare systems value military medical training and offer veteran hiring programs.

Energy and Natural Resources

NorthWestern Energy - Butte (headquarters, statewide operations)

• Utilities (electricity, natural gas)
• Positions: Line work, customer service, engineering, operations

ExxonMobil - Billings refinery ConocoPhillips - Eastern Montana operations Stillwater Mining - Palladium and platinum mining

Technology and Remote Work

Montana's growing tech sector and remote work opportunities:

Oracle - Montana offices RightNow Technologies - Bozeman (now part of Oracle) Clearwater Analytics - Bozeman OnX Maps - Missoula (outdoor GPS/mapping)

Remote work: Montana's quality of life attracts remote workers. Many veterans work remotely for out-of-state companies while living in Montana.

Agriculture and Ranching

Montana's #1 industry - agriculture:

• Cattle ranching
• Wheat farming
• Barley production
• Equipment operators
• Farm/ranch management

Opportunities: Many veterans transition to agricultural careers or own ranches/farms

Tourism and Hospitality

Major employers in tourist areas:

• Glacier National Park concessions
• Yellowstone National Park area businesses
• Ski resorts (Big Sky, Whitefish Mountain Resort, Bridger Bowl, etc.)
• Guest ranches
• Outfitting and guiding

Seasonal and year-round positions available

Apprenticeship Programs

Montana Registered Apprenticeship programs offer paid on-the-job training:

• Electrical work
• HVAC
• Plumbing
• Welding
• Heavy equipment operation
• Information technology
• Healthcare (nursing, medical assistant)

GI Bill eligible: Many apprenticeships qualify for GI Bill housing allowance on top of apprenticeship wages.

Contact: Montana Department of Labor & Industry - Apprenticeship Program Phone: (406) 444-1735

Veteran Unemployment Benefits

Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX): Available if separated from active duty in the last 18 months

Contact: Montana Department of Labor & Industry Phone: (406) 444-2545 Website: montanaworks.gov

Support Services

Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs)

VSOs provide free assistance with VA claims, appeals, and benefits navigation.

Montana Department of Military Affairs - Veterans Services Division Address: PO Box 4789, Fort Harrison, MT 59636 Phone: (406) 324-3742 Toll-free: 1-877-486-3660 Website: montanaveterans.mt.gov

Services: VA claims assistance, benefits counseling, state benefits information, advocacy

County Veterans Service Officers: Available in most Montana counties. Find yours at montanaveterans.mt.gov

American Legion - 100+ posts throughout Montana Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) - 90+ posts statewide Disabled American Veterans (DAV) - Chapters in major cities Vietnam Veterans of America - Multiple chapters Military Order of the Purple Heart - Chapters statewide

Homeless Veteran Programs

VA Homeless Programs Hotline: 1-877-424-3838

Transitional housing: Available in Billings, Missoula, Great Falls

HUD-VASH: Housing vouchers paired with VA case management available through Fort Harrison VA

Stand Down Events: Annual Stand Down events in multiple Montana cities providing services, clothing, medical care

Montana Veterans & Pioneers Home - Columbia Falls provides housing assistance

Mental Health Resources

Veterans Crisis Line: 988, then press 1 (24/7) Text: 838255 Online chat: VeteransCrisisLine.net

Fort Harrison VA Mental Health Services: (406) 442-6410

Vet Centers provide free counseling for:

• PTSD
• Depression
• Military sexual trauma
• Readjustment issues
• Substance abuse
• Combat stress

Fort Harrison PTSD Residential Program: One of the premier PTSD treatment programs in the VA system

Legal Assistance

Montana Legal Services Association Free legal services for low-income veterans Phone: (406) 442-9830

Veterans Treatment Courts: Available in several Montana counties for veterans involved in criminal justice system

State Bar of Montana - Veterans Legal Assistance Pro bono legal help for veterans with discharge upgrades, benefits appeals

County and Regional Veteran Resources

Yellowstone County (Billings Metro)

• Veteran population: 10,000+
• VA Clinic: Billings CBOC (largest in state)
• Vet Center: Billings
• State Veterans Home: None in county
• Major employers: Billings Clinic, St. Vincent Healthcare, ExxonMobil refinery

County Veterans Service Office Phone: (406) 256-2785

Flathead County (Kalispell/Whitefish)

• Veteran population: 8,500+
• VA Clinic: Kalispell CBOC
• State Veterans Home: Montana Veterans' Home - Columbia Falls (130 beds)
• Major employers: Kalispell Regional Medical Center, tourism, Glacier National Park

County Veterans Service Office Phone: (406) 758-5870

Gallatin County (Bozeman Metro)

• Veteran population: 7,000+
• VA Clinic: Bozeman CBOC
• State Veterans Home: None
• Major employers: Montana State University, Oracle, Clearwater Analytics, tourism

County Veterans Service Office Phone: (406) 582-3050

Missoula County (Missoula Metro)

• Veteran population: 6,500+
• VA Clinic: Missoula CBOC
• Vet Center: Missoula
• State Veterans Home: None
• Major employers: University of Montana, St. Patrick Hospital, federal agencies

County Veterans Service Office Phone: (406) 258-4877

Cascade County (Great Falls Metro)

• Veteran population: 6,000+
• Military installation: Malmstrom Air Force Base
• VA Clinic: Great Falls CBOC
• State Veterans Home: None
• Major employers: Malmstrom AFB, Benefis Health System

County Veterans Service Office Phone: (406) 454-6850

Key Takeaways

1. Enroll in VA healthcare immediately - Fort Harrison VA serves entire state, CBOCs reduce travel
2. Use Montana GI Bill - Free tuition at Montana schools when stacked with federal GI Bill
3. Leverage state hiring preference - Apply for state jobs and federal positions
4. Consider federal land management careers - Montana's forests, parks, and public lands create unique opportunities
5. Connect with your county VSO - Free help claiming all benefits

Montana's veteran support infrastructure is solid considering the state's rural nature. Telehealth services help bridge geographic gaps, and the Montana GI Bill provides exceptional education benefits.

Additional Resources

• Montana Department of Military Affairs - Veterans Services: (406) 324-3742 | montanaveterans.mt.gov
• Fort Harrison VA: (406) 442-6410 | va.gov/montana-health-care
• Montana Works (Job Search): montanaworks.gov
• State Jobs: statecareers.mt.gov
• GI Bill School Search: benefits.va.gov/gibill/comparison

---

Information current as of January 2025. Contact facilities directly to verify hours, services, and eligibility requirements.