A note from the task force director…

TASK FORCE 104 was one to be remembered. The men, the accommodations, the Montana setting, all of it fell into place for a memorable week.  Days filled with activities and nights filled with laughter, conversation, and much-needed silence. This week offered time for reflection, bonding, and pure relaxation for the whole group.    

Day one started with a trail ride through Alpine Falls Ranch located just miles off of I90 outside of Superior, MT.  Most of our group had never been on horses before so this offered a true Montana Experience right out of the gate in country none of us had ever seen before. My only regret is not staging a horse race through the final pasture before getting back to the trailers. 

Days two and three were spent on the Clark Fork River with Joe Cantrell and his guides. Fishing was slower this time of year but we managed to get a few in the boat. The mornings were as cool and clear as the water we were fishing but by midday, we had shed our Montana fall layers and the sun stayed with us till the end of our trip. The men picked up fly fishing very quickly. Tangles and lost flies were minimal. The guys did an awesome job for what was the first time for most of them. Day three ended with a buggy ride to Diamond Lake and a short hike up to Cliff Lake from there.   

On day four we awoke to a steady rain and a much cooler morning. We threw on the swim trunks and jumped into the swimming hole near the house.  The water was cold enough to make the outside air feel like a mid-August afternoon. The cold plunge was followed by a dip in the hot tub to recover then back to the swimming hole for more pain. We then loaded up the buggies and drove to a mountain lake where we had lunch, a fire, and caught some brook trout. The day ended with trap shooting, which in and of itself is entertaining.  However, when you incorporate a foot race to an unloaded weapon followed by a quick pair the stakes grew and so did the laughter.

As a group, we got better this week. There wasn’t a man among us who didn’t engage in our surroundings and the BSB process.  Yet there wasn’t a man among us that didn’t take a moment for themselves as well. 

It was the perfect mix of man, nature, and time.

Ryan Elliott
Task Force 104 Director

Volunteers to thank

• Ryan Elliott, Task Force Director

• Matt Stevens

• Andrew Engle

Patriots to thank

• Alpine Falls Ranch & Jason Pittman (Lodging, horseback rides, & side-by-sides)

• Horseback Rides

• Marci Gehring (meals)

“I have spent many years in this command, which have all been running at an incredibly high operations tempo. This has included constant work trips, deployments, training, and sitting alert. 

The amount of myself that I have invested into this profession has begun to take a toll on me. 

We have "reset" weeks built into our work calendars that did little to help actually reset my mind and get me back to work. This Big Sky Bravery program did more for me than I could have imagined that it would. Being in Montana with like-minded men who understand my experiences was an incredible opportunity. 

Getting away from the churn of the Special Operations environment with these men, and with the structure BSB provided, did far more than any sit-downs I've had with Social Workers or Psychologists. 

This was an incredibly restorative experience that I have looked to strongly encourage my guys to participate in. This is possible through the incredible generosity of great Americans who care for this nation's warriors. 

-C”

“It’s hard to put into words how spending a week, participating in activities, so far removed from normal day-to-day duties can allow your mind to be free and reset your outlook in such a positive manner. However, I can truly say this experience provided a reset both personally and professionally.  I’m extremely grateful and thankful for BSB and the donors who make these Task Forces a reality.

Thanks,

-J”

“I didn't recognize how much I needed the escape provided by Big Sky Bravery until I was there experiencing it. 

To know support like this exists can move you to tears. 

My family and I are forever grateful for the opportunity.  

My service career began shortly after 9/11.  Upon returning from Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and a number of other places, I saw there was no shortage of "support" for service members or the mission. However, none of that support felt as genuine or sincere as the support from BSB. 

BSB afforded me the chance to truly lower my guard, which is something I hadn't done since 9/11. 

Standing at the edge of a mountain lake, surrounded by silence and newly formed lifelong friends, I felt at peace. I boarded the plane back home from BSB sad that it was over, but freshly decompressed, revitalized, and ready to take on the world. Again.

I'm not sure exactly what goes into choosing Task Force locations, Task Force Staff, or itineraries for the week, but you have absolutely nailed the equation; I wouldn't change a thing.

 I appreciate the hell out of Big Sky Bravery, and even more so Ryan, Matt, and Andrew.

 -C”

“Big Sky Bravery,

Thank you just doesn't seem like enough when it comes to my gratitude and appreciation for what your organization is doing for the SOF community, our brothers-in-arms, and myself; now that I have had the opportunity to experience a BSB Task Force. Your unwavering support for the community I've spent decades of service with is unmatched and doesn't go unnoticed by command teams throughout every SOF branch of service. Soldiers that I have sent out to your programs have come back with better focus, smiles (odd for SOF guys), visibly less tense/stressed in the workplace, and better teammates on deployments and the battlefield; which makes for a more effective warrior.

For myself, it gave me time to reflect and refocus on the mission/task at hand of running a SQDN with highly talented individuals that the enterprise asks a lot from. That reflection time was invaluable and will pay dividends over my next 2 years in the seat. It also gave me time to focus on "what's next for me" as I look to transition out of the military post my current position. From my wife, "Tell those guys thank you; it's been years since I've seen you smile and be so relaxed after a trip!!!". She's not wrong.

Post trip I feel like the world is a bit lighter and my children's laughter is clearer, I couldn't ask for more than that I guess. 

Please pass a special thanks to all the donors of the program; their patriotism and generous donations to your vision and mission make it all possible. 

 In the humble words of my Unit's founders...Thanks!

-C”

“Thank you for the opportunity to come out and experience your program. It was the most impactful thing I have done in my 15 years in the military. I have spoken with docs, psychs, social workers, taken quizzes, and participated in 360 feedbacks but nothing has equated to the effect that your program and your amazing volunteers had on me last week.

You have found a way to show gratitude while also allowing members to truly, genuinely relax. I’ll forever be grateful.

Thanks,

-J”