Degan Barber (left) and his brother Dustin

BIG SKY BRAVERY WOULDN'T BE WHAT IT IS TODAY WITHOUT THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION OF OUR VOLUNTEERS. TO CELEBRATE THEIR GENEROSITY & INTRODUCE YOU TO SOME INCREDIBLE INDIVIDUALS, WE INVITE YOU TO READ OUR MONTHLY VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT!

This month’s volunteer: Degan Barber

My opportunity to work with Big Sky Bravery was given to me back in 2019. I was fortunate to have my brother (Dustin) already involved in the organization, and to say that I was excited to work with our SOF community along with my brother would be a precipitous understatement.

I had heard about the affect BSB was having, but it wasn’t until I met a couple Operators that I knew this program was much more than a little peace and quiet.

BSB has evolved and curated an immersive environment that translates the peace and quiet of Big Sky Country into what we call “decompression”. Decompression goes well beyond relaxing; it is an encompassing term. It can have quite a different meaning for each recipient. Whether the pressure is physical, emotional, spiritual, family, the battlefield, or more likely… All the above. It’s our task as volunteers to begin to understand the struggles while providing guidance and mentorship.

My favorite part is digging into conversations and trying to understand where we at BSB can be the most effective to the soldiers we serve. Inevitably these weeks end with new, strong-bonded, brotherhoods. I wish words could express to you all how close such strangers can become, almost overnight. 

Big Sky Bravery has had a huge impact on my life. It has shown me the value of vulnerability, it has shown me true giants break down right before my eyes. In the truest sense of the term, I was in awe. My heroes standing right before me in need of help. And having the gumption to ask for it. I have never been good at sharing my problems. Internalizing and compartmentalizing? You bet. BSB and our SOF community have shown me a better way. I intend to carry it with me and promote these types of tough conversations well beyond our programs. 

Our credo, Give More Than You Take, is a baseline behavior that BSB instituted from its inception. It is our anchor, and we will remain married to it. So many organizations loose sight of their mission. We will not. BSB is constantly reaching back to our roots as we continue to evolve and refine our programs. Give More Than You Take is also a top personality trait we require in volunteers, staff and board members. It is our backbone, it is our guiding hand, and it is a guarantee to our donors that your support is directly converted into decompression for our Nation’s Finest.

Outside of BSB I am a Process Operator at the Phillips 66 refinery in Billings, MT. During my time off you will likely find me skiing way too fast. Shanking OB seeking PRO V1’s with massive torque (put me down for 10). Also, I have made numerous attempts to fish, but out of the 5 fish I have baited to hook 1 of them was a bat. We were both surprised and I wonder if he still thinks about me. 

Red, White, and Thank You to all our warriors, donors, and team at BSB!