A NOTE FROM THE TASK FORCE DIRECTOR…

Loyal Supporters,

The inaugural Task Force for Big Sky Bravery’s winter 2023-2024 season is complete!  We patiently monitored the forecast in the weeks leading up to the program and were graced with a last-minute storm that serendipitously green-lighted new terrain at Big Sky Resort and unlocked the backcountry of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness.

Recreational decompression was undoubtedly a notable product of the week;  however, the conversations around the dinner table and living room fireplace proved paramount in defining our time together.  After 105 Task Forces, our alumni network is vast and has planted deep roots within our organization. It is evident that those relationships, when coupled with a skilled Big Sky Bravery staff and dedicated volunteer roster, result in impactful restoration and reinvigoration.  As you’ll glean from testimonials below, this group embodied trust and brotherhood.  Each day brought physical challenge and decompression, along with genuine, open, and humbling conversations that encapsulate the essence of Big Sky Bravery’s mission.  

Predictably, Ed and the crew at Canyon Adventures were hell-bent on ensuring the participants could experience the majesty of Buck Ridge, even in the face of Mother Nature’s stubbornness.  We laud their enduring support, which has always extended beyond the equipment they provide.  We’d be remiss to not recognize Mark and Trae for their time, expertise, professionalism, and affability.  We appreciate you reliably getting us back to the shop, worn-out and intact, week after week!

In the absence of sustained snowfall, we were able to enjoy one of Moonlight Basin’s off-piste amenities, their picturesque sporting clays range.  We were greeted with a roaring fire pit, set upon a stunning vista of glistening snow, freshly dusted trees, and the unobstructed setting sun.  We applaud Max and Matt for officiating our competition.  Your devoted eyes were crucial in settling some high-stakes scores!

To the participants, their families and loved ones, thank you for sacrificing your time and relinquishing your premonitions...“May you all truly understand your worth!”  It was an honor to spend a week with each of these men… and I know more awaits around the bend.

To the volunteers, Marshall Suetterlin and Mitch Hanson, their families and loved ones, thank you for your commitment and dedication to selflessly “Give more than you take.”  That gratitude also extends to Echomav, Keller Williams Realty, and Opportunity Bank, for empowering, and allowing, your employees to serve a greater cause.

Respectfully,

Dustin Barber
TF 105 Director

There are several companies and individuals who are responsible in curating a successful Task Force and their contributions deserve to be recognized and applauded:

VOLUNTEERS TO THANK

• Dustin Barber, Task Force Director

• Mitch Hanson

• Marshall Suetterlin

PATRIOTS TO THANK

• Norplex Composites (sponsorship of 2 recipients)

• Hunter Parks (lodging)

• Peak Skis (comped ski rentals)

• Big Sky Resort (lift tickets - discounted)

• Jim Mikulich (discounted ski instruction)

• Moonlight Basin (sporting clays, discounted rate)

• Mark Bradford & Trae McEnroe (snowmobile guides)

• Canyon Adventures (snowmobiles)

• Marci Gehring & Melissa Culver (culinary creations)

• ANTHEM Snacks & Wild Society Coffee (welcome bag donation items)

“The BSB TF is a special and unique experience.

It offers a safe space for operators to fully unwind and decompress after challenging experiences, whether in or out of work. The concept is only viable due to the hard work and commitment provided by the volunteers on the TF. They quickly established a relaxed and comfortable environment to enable all participants to fully unwind and release any stress. There was plenty of humour, activities and socialising to help create a strong and lasting bond between all members.

The structure of the weeks events was varied to cater for every member and encouraged physical and mental decompression. The atmosphere created by the volunteers encouraged group therapy in a safe and familiar environment, creating spaces for people to share their experiences. These safe spaces, aided in group mentoring and helped members to progress through their issues.

The generosity of the BSB TF was truly humbling. It was a very positive experience and I made many friends, who I hope to keep in contact with in the future. I can’t speak highly enough of all the volunteers and find it difficult to express in words my admiration for their selfless commitment. Their generosity knows no boundaries and I have already been invited back, to further cement friendships and experience the landscapes of Montana.

On returning to my unit, I felt reenergised and mentally resilient to take on new challenges.

I cannot thank the team enough for the incredible experience and look forward to seeing them all again in the near future.

Kind Regards,

F.”

“The week I spent with Big Sky Bravery exceeded my expectations. A simple statement could never adequately express my gratitude for the gift of my BSB experience. I was humbled and honored to be shown such genuine kindness and compassion by everyone involved with BSB.

The significant contributions of all those associated with Big Sky Bravery: the volunteers, the donors, the company employees, and the myriad of businesses that support the organization is astonishing, humbling, and incredibly appreciated.

The time I spent during the week enjoying the serene beauty of the outdoors, forging new friendships, taking time to genuinely reflect, and connecting in vulnerability with other men who share similar experiences and struggles from a life of service and hardship was extremely refreshing and rewarding.

I have been in the tactical profession for over 20 years, and I have never experienced anything like Big Sky Bravery.

It was an experience that I hope many others will have the opportunity to benefit from in the future. While I am incapable of fully expressing my appreciation for BSB, I will humbly say, ‘Thank you for your generosity and for your heart to honor others.’

Respectfully,

T.”

“Big Sky Bravery was an exceptional experience that was truly above and beyond what I expected it to be.

This past week brought me a breath of fresh air that revitalized and reinvigorated me. It helped me to un-bottle and process multiple life experiences that I have been through.

I made great friends through the other participants and volunteers that attended. Thank you all so much for such a truly amazing experience!

N.”

“The TF is an incredible and unique experience. The generosity and support of BSB is truly humbling. The volunteers were excellent and quickly established a relaxed and open atmosphere to foster and enable a comfortable environment in which to discuss anything on your mind. They really couldn’t have been more supportive or helpful and truly looked after us all The week was filled with humour, activities, and plenty of opportunities to talk.

The week was a great opportunity for physically decompressing through being in the mountains and active every day. However the TF is much more than this as it also enabled you to decompress mentally. BSB achieved this through the volunteers mentorship providing an open environment along with helpful guidance to assist each individual in navigating their issue.

The end result was an opportunity for decompression of both body and mind.

By the end of the week it felt like I was leaving a new family having made life long connections. BSB’s generous support continues even afterwards the TF finishes with it being made clear we would be welcome to return to Montana and to BSB at any time.

Upon my return to my unit I felt completely revived, recharged and reconnected to myself.

I cannot speak more highly of BSB and what the TF provides and I am extremely grateful for the experience they provided.

T.”

“Activities -

‘The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.’ - Ralph Waldo Emerson

What a rush! Having never been on skis before, I was a bit skeptical to come out and try something new in Big Sky. My propensity (like many of us) was to stay in an area of familiarity…an area of safety. I was much less likely to make an ass of myself as I stayed on a snowboard; took the conservative and postured approach on the snowmobile.

I made a conscious choice early in my trip preparation that I would accept the risk of failure, of feeling less than, of embarrassment due to inexperience and lack of skill. The accommodations provided by the program (1:1 instruction with Jim) paired with the relentless positive reinforcement from the volunteers made the experience incredible. I’m no Candide (*yet), but had a blast learning new skills with a new group of friends.

Both skiing down a world class mountain and snowmobiling up serene terrain are stories and pictures that I have been able to share with my kids and family. I hope to bring my family along on the next trip and help them to explore their own boundaries of comfort.

Cohort-

‘It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is atually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.’ - Theodore Roosevelt

The diversity within the group was fantastic. All men were cut from the same cloth but have a wide range of personal and professional life experiences that enabled us to arrive at BSB in TF105.

Each person was able to put down the armor…the expectation for perfection and flawless execution. It was a space in which each man was able to openly (albeit tactfully guided) discuss what was really going on in our lives. Beyond the superficiality of ‘all good - let’s press.’ It was a low stakes environment to open the door to deeper conversation, connection, and empathy.

Each man in the room had proven to be the man in the arena. We listened, challenged, reflected, and empathized with the plight of one another.

In many other settings, we would call it group therapy. In this case, we can refer to it as brotherhood.

Volunteers -

‘We are members of one great body, planted by nature…We must consider that we were born for the good of the whole.’ - Seneca

Dustin, Mitch, and Marshall. Deep gratitude for the tone that was set and the path laid for us to travel. Much like the cohort, each volunteer had their own unique path to BSB and our Task Force. Each person was uniquely equipped to fill a specific niche in the group - a shared hardship; a wise word of guidance; an unfamiliar positive regard.

The guys were kind, attentive, dedicated, giving - the perfect team to lead the group.

Discussions -

‘Nothing happens to any man that he is not formed by nature to bear.’ - Marcus Aurelius

The men in this group have been through and continue to traverse through some deep shit. I’m incredibly grateful to hear the story beyond the war story from each man in attendance…the hardships that are close hold and typically unwitnessed by other in our lives and organizations.

Having been ‘therapized’ many times over, this was one of the first opportunities I’ve had to share an unfiltered version of my story with a group of likeminded men. While initially intimidating, the progression of conversations over the week allowed for a safe display of vulnerability that I am typically unwilling to display to even the closest of allies.

The group should consider it high compliment that the men of the cohort were willing and able to get to such a depth of conversation in such a short period of time. Kudos to Dustin, Mitch, and Marshall for cultivating an environment conducive to that type and spectrum of conversation.

Summary -

The description of awesomeness is limited by my own vocabulary and creativity.

I am deeply grateful for having been a part of the TF.

I feel rejuvenated in body, mind, and spirt.

I am motivated and excited to continue working with and for BSB in the future.

With sincere gratitude,

C.”