A note from the Task Force Director…

Task Force #114 at Big Sky Bravery: Deep Snow and Deeper Connections

In the heart of Big Sky, Montana, our Task Force #114 dove into an unforgettable week. As the Task Force Director, it was my second time steering such a rewarding experience, enhanced by the dedication of volunteers Jeremy Swenson and Josh McCain, whose efforts were pivotal to our week's achievements. We were fortunate to host four recipients, that were bought into the week from the moment they stepped off the plane in Bozeman. In three days on the slopes of the Yellowstone Club, we witnessed a rapid evolution. The serene expanse provided the perfect backdrop for mastering new skills on fresh powder, fostering camaraderie along tranquil ski lifts, and unwinding collectively in the lodge's welcoming embrace.

Our snowmobile day along Buck Ridge was introduced with over a foot of fresh snow, making the experience both invigorating and exhausting. This shared conquest of nature's bounty set the perfect scene for our memorable dinner hosted by Ed and his Canyon Adventures team. There, in a simple snowmobile maintenance shed, we savored the luxury of fresh seafood, a celebration of our day's exploits and our collective journey.

Over the course of five nights, our group transitioned from strangers to close friends, our bonds forged in nature's grandeur and cemented by the warmth of fireside conversations. This experience was not just about skiing or snowmobiling; it was about the indelible human connections made, as enduring as the mountains themselves.  

Reflecting on the week, a profound reminder from one of our recipients struck a chord with me: "We are not different." This simple yet powerful statement underscored the universal nature of our experiences and the shared humanity that connects us, regardless of our backgrounds or life paths.

Brandon Vancleeve
Task Force 114 Director

Volunteers to Thank:

• Brandon Vancleeve (Task Force Director)

• Jeremy Swenson (Assistant Task Force Director)

• Josh McCain

Patriots to Thank:

• Yellowstone Club

• Ed Hake + Canyon Adventures

• Patrick Doyle

• Big Sky Natural Health

• SITKA Gear

• ANTHEM Snacks

• Wild Society Coffee

“First I would like to thank the volunteers of TF114. Brandon Vancleeve, Jeremy Swenson, and Josh McCain set the bar extremely high and created an environment that was comfortable and memorable. Thank you to the rest of the BSB staff, donors, and everyone else on this exceptional team that made this possible.

Working on a small team isolated within this community, it was reinvigorating to meet and interact with other American patriots, regardless if they ever wore the uniform.

BSB left no question in my mind these were true Americans that loved their country and cared deeply with their mission.

I have had long periods of time where I was internally conflicted about how much longer I should keep doing this or if anything I was doing even mattered to anyone outside my family. I do not know exactly how or why this week-long process works, but it does. I didn’t realize how much of a break I actually needed until the week was over. I will never forget this experience or the volunteer team that took time away from their families to provide me a moment to take a knee. ‘Thanks’.

-N.”

“I have known about BSB for several years and heard nothing but positive things until I was lucky enough to be afforded the opportunity to attend a task force. The entire experience not only met but surpassed my expectations.

It is truly the first experience I’ve had that did surpass my expectations in every way.

The volunteers were extremely personable and facilitated an environment where strangers could feel at ease with each other right away. The amount of thought, effort, resources, and time every member of BSB puts into this experience is priceless.

It is extremely humbling to see how much people care and are willing to sacrifice themselves to allow someone like me the ability to take a break and recharge.

One of the most impactful things was the nightly discussions that were deep, honest, and very straightforward. I cannot express how thankful I am to the staff, donors, and the volunteers for this opportunity and experience! Everyone involved with Big Sky Bravery truly lives by the motto “Give more than you take.”

-M.”

“Words fail to do justice for the unprecedented amount of gratitude I feel after spending a week with BSB. I am incredibly thankful for all of the volunteers, donors, participants, men and women who have shaped BSB into the sanctuary it is for operators.

It was truly an amazing experience and would not be so if it were not for the people behind the vision. 

The men who volunteer at BSB are hand-selected, and it shows. I was quickly at ease with the task force volunteers that led us during our week. Their authenticity and heart for service were apparent in everything that they did whether it was spending some extra time with us on the mountain or making sure we never had an empty glass, I can not think of a time in my life when I felt more taken care of. I am grateful for the week they took to be away from their families and gone from their jobs to pour into complete strangers because BSB would not have the impact it does if it were not for them. 

I knew attending BSB was going to be a good opportunity to relax and reset from the constant grind that is our chosen profession. However, I greatly underestimated the amount of growth and personal connection that this experience would bring.

I found myself each evening in deep fellowship with like minded individuals which, for me, is a rare gift that often gets taken for granted during the day in and day out routines of family and work life. BSB provided a time for introspection and camaraderie through intentional conversation. It was inspiring to talk amongst one another about similar struggles and triumphs and know we weren't alone. 

BSB was an incredible opportunity that I had long looked forward to attending. I hope to see every one of my teammates be afforded the opportunity to come and experience it for themselves. BSB shows their appreciation not only through their words but also their actions. They live their motto to the highest degree and never fail to give more than they take. 

Love and Respect

- L.”

“THE PROGRAM

Any program of this nature is going to be very hard to put into words. The amount of work that goes into running it, the experience of the recipients, and how the donors affect the program are all difficult to describe. All that being said, I wanted to take a moment to articulate what this program has meant to me and how it has affected me personally and professionally.

The tone of the program was set before we had even gotten off the plane in Bozeman. We had travel delays due to a storm over Bozeman and it caused us to get rerouted to Salt Lake City, Utah. Even before our plane had landed, the Big Sky Bravery team had already booked us new flights. This might seem trivial, but just the fact that I didn’t have to solve the problem myself made a big impact. And this tone prevailed the rest of the week. There was no problem too small for the staff to solve, and it felt like I was constantly being asked if there was anything I needed.

During the week, we were given an experience that was unlike any other I’ve had.

From the skiing to the meals and the fireside conversations that took place every night, we never had a dull moment. The time we spent simply hanging out and talking had the biggest impact on me. There was no pressure to share more than you wanted or to participate if you felt uncomfortable. Each day our time together seemed to get more and more comfortable.

Throughout the week, we were given opportunities to relax and blow off steam, but at the same time, we were pushed, both physically and mentally in ways that I did not expect. I hope to take the relationships that I made and the experiences I enjoyed with me into the future.

THE STAFF

BSB would not be what it is without their staff. It is clear to me that the foundation has put a lot of effort into how it recruits and trains both full-time staff and their volunteers. I had limited exposure to the full-time staff and only worked with the volunteers in my task force, but I wanted to share a little of what I experienced.

From the drop, the three team members of Task Force 114 were seeking how to make this experience the best it could be for us. I can’t stress enough how often I was specifically and individually asked if I was enjoying myself and what I needed to enhance my experience. They were genuine in their service from first to last. I often found myself being challenged and encouraged simply by the way they interacted with me.

There was no task too small for them, and it showed in every detail of the trip.

THE RECIPIENTS

The other recipients on the Task Force were people I did not know or work with in the past. I say this again to point out the quality of the program. To be able to integrate and feel comfortable with 3 strangers, whom you know nothing about, is not an easy task. But I felt comfortable with these guys almost from the very beginning. I learned just as much from the other participants as I did from the volunteers. Having three other guys there with me helped lend a perspective that would not have been possible otherwise. These guys didn’t know me, but they could relate to both my work and personal life in ways that are hard to explain.

In the end, Big Sky Bravery surpassed my every expectation. I came expecting a good time with good guys, but it ended up being so much more than that. In the future, not only will my time with BSB impact my personal life and my work life and how I will conduct myself in both, but I will also be an advocate for BSB with everyone I meet. I will encourage my peers and subordinates to take advantage of this incredible program whenever possible.

I cannot, in so few words, completely express my gratitude to the BSB staff, volunteers, and donors. Thank you deeply, from the bottom of my heart, and know that you have made an outsized impact on a service member who you wanted to serve.

-B.”