TF122 | 4C Ranch, MT
A note from the Task Force Director…
TF 122 has come to an end. Too soon, for those of us that were lucky enough to be a part of it. The recipients and volunteers were a group of the finest caliber individuals I have had the opportunity to be surrounded by and work with.
Our week kicked off at Bozeman Airport. As these men came off the escalator, we did not waste time getting acquainted with jokes and insightful conversations. We stopped at The Rivers Edge fly shop to outfit everyone with the essential gear needed to make the most of the coming week. After that, we had a quick lunch at BSB, loaded up, and started our journey to one of Montana's most incredible ranches. The views on the way to the ranch were exceptional as we drove east out of Bozeman.
Prairie Dogs scurried to their holes, and Mule Deer took cover in the shade under the trees as we entered the pristine ranch that we would call our home for the next week. As we passed beautiful meadows, ponds, and streams, the excitement started to grow between the group. We downloaded our gear and put supper in the oven before we embarked on our first adventure as a group. Rob (the Ranch Manager) was gracious enough to take some time out of his schedule to show us the lay of the land before we ran out of daylight. We made our way through the back trails of the ranch to the top of one of the highest knolls. Smoke from nearby fires sadly obstructed what was usually the clear mountain air of Montana. However, it had not set in bad enough to keep us from seeing the beautiful scenery. As the sun set next to the Crazy Mountains, we all were in awe. The Treasure State did not disappoint in the slightest. Finishing off the day with a wonderful supper and conversation outside on the porch set the tone for how the rest of the week would unravel. Copious amounts of laughter and deep conversations had started a bond between men that would only get stronger.
Monday was our first full day on the ranch, and we made the most of it. We started off with a good breakfast and coffee, then gathered up our fishing gear to a beautiful pond to learn Fly-Fishing 101 from one of our talented Volunteers, Gabe. The drive and dedication these men have in everything they do is inspiring. They all took to it immediately, and fish were being caught left and right. Watching these men focus on their casts and drowning out everything but the moment they were in speaks volumes about the healing power of fly fishing in the mountains. After a few hours, we decided to take a lunch break and split up for the afternoon. Some of the group went back to fishing, while others took the motorbikes out to explore more of what the ranch had to offer. We all ended up by the creek in the evening, where we cooled off and continued our tall tales of fishing and our experiences. A midnight ride on the ranch trails concluded our first full day.
Tuesday morning started off with all of us helping a neighboring ranch with an overpopulation of prairie dogs. These little critters had devastated large tracks of land, and we were more than happy to help earn our keep by reducing their numbers. This was a great team-building experience for everyone as we worked together to spot and call long shots on the pesky little fur devils. Another lazy afternoon was filled with fishing the pond and streams. We had an amazing dinner of fish tacos and spent the rest of the evening on the porch, watching the sun go down over the hills.
Wednesday was another fun-packed day! We started off in the morning by shooting clays and learning proper techniques from shooting sensei Gabe. As the day heated up, we were ready to return to the water to practice our casting skills. Everyone caught fish, and we were all lost once again in the splendid playground of the 4C ranch. Another amazing supper led to another night ride looking for coyotes and other creatures of the night. We stopped in a meadow by one of the creeks to sit under the stars and take in the beauty and wonder of the Montana night sky.
Thursday was the day we had been looking forward to. The days spent prior honing our skills with the fly line were to be put to the test. We traveled back to Livingston to fish the Yellowstone River. The Paradise Valley lived up to its name with the breathtaking mountain views and the exceptional fishing. Our guides were outstanding and ensured we were in the right places for the fish. Lunch under the shade of some willows on a riverbank gave us some time out of the sun and to refuel for the rest of the afternoon. Mother Nature did her thing as the sky went dark and the heavens unleashed a beautiful thunderstorm. Luckily for us, we had just arrived at the boat dock and were able to pull out before we got too soaked. Our final night was amazing. Stories and feelings were shared as this week of bonding and brotherhood had brought us close together. Barriers were broken, and guards let down as we shared stories of our week and things in our lives.
Our departure day arrived a week too soon. There was a sense of hesitation as we packed up to leave the ranch. It seemed that no one wanted to leave this place that had become our home. However, we were taking more with us than we arrived with. Our personal belongings were packed, but so were the memories and friendships that had been created in only a short matter of time.
We dropped everyone off at the airport and said our farewells, all while talking about how we needed to get together again. This week impacted each of us in our own ways, and we didn’t want it to end.
TF 122.5—As luck would have it, a global computer outage had taken its toll on the airlines. Flights were delayed and then canceled. We got the call that our Brothers were going to be stuck with us for one more night! The crew got back together for an amazing dinner in Bozeman. Some of the volunteers’ families were able to join, and we loved being able to introduce them to our new Brothers.
Reflecting on this incredible week with extraordinary Gentleman has been an experience of its own. The men we had the honor of serving are among some of the most talented and selfless individuals in our great nation. They put others before themselves and make sacrifices that most Americans will never know. I am truly humbled to call these men my brothers and I am eternally grateful for all of those who choose the path to the tip of the spear. Thank you for sharing your time with us.
Respectfully,
Brian Nelson
Task Force 122 Director
Volunteers to Thank:
Brian Nelson (Task Force Director)
Ron Culver (Assistant Task Force Director)
Gabe McMasters
Patriots to Thank:
The 4C Ranch & Rob Schwartz (Lodging & hospitality)
Stewart, Chris, & Daniel (Fishing Guides)
Montana Tactical
Paul with FHF Gear
Rivers Edge
Melissa Culver & Elizabeth Nelson
Anthem, LMNT, & Wild Society Coffee
“I volunteered to do BSB's TF122 about halfway through my deployment when I wasn't tired or ready to channel my inner misanthrope. By the time I got home I thought that I had made the age-old mistake of agreeing to future plans without thinking through it. In all fairness I had been trying to go to BSB for about 4 years, but the deployment was long and I wasn't in the mood to socialize. But damn I was glad that the extrovert in me scheduled it.
When I am gone most of the year, "vacation time" usually means being a recluse at home with my woman and dog. It's hard to find the energy or a good enough reason to leave the one place of comfort you have that you get the least amount of time at. I can say with confidence that BSB is one of the very few reasons to do it.
I never knew that something as simple as hanging out on a deck, drinking whiskey and smoking cigars, with a bunch of dudes you don't know could be so therapeutic. As much as I would like to have these moments with my team, there is always a professional barrier that prevents moments like this. Some of these conversations had depth, and others were about nothing but bullshit; both were effective.
When we weren't eating and drinking, the schedule was loose and dictated by the boys which in my opinion should be the standard. Most of us have our schedules dictated by our units or units we are supporting, the last thing I want is someone telling me how and when to relax. The volunteers running our group of heathens seemed to know pretty damn well what we wanted and how we wanted it, making the days flow effortlessly. Whether it was shooting shotguns, riding dirt bikes or ATV's, or fishing. The volunteers let us do our thing which from what I could tell was fly fishing, the boys were eating that up.
I feel like I am rambling but to sum it up, I didn't know what I needed until I got out there and did it.
BSB is about the only organization I have ever seen that actually supports the dudes that nobody knows about.
100% will recommend to all of my guys, anybody who dogs on it I will tell to stuff it, and please keep it up. There are more dudes out there that need that time in the woods so they can come up for some air whether they know it or not.
Cheers,
T.”
“This week was a tremendous opportunity to experience life away from the grind of relentless defense of our country.
We learned new skills, made life-long friendships, and more importantly, spent time reflecting on why we fight for our country. The specially assessed and selected BSB staff and volunteers are selfless patriots who cultivated a superb environment for our special operators, and the benevolent donors graciously created opportunities for us that we would never have experienced. My time with BSB was truly a once-in-a-lifetime, memorable experience, and I couldn’t have more gratitude and appreciation for those who give their time or donations in support of BSB and the recipients. Thank you for what you do.
You all are a great reminder of who we sacrifice and fight for.
B.”
“This experience has been unlike any other that I have been a part of in my life.
To come together with other like-minded men that have dedicated their lives to our country and to be hosted by some of the finest Americans in God’s country of Montana; there’s no words that do it justice.
This is an experience that will stay with me for life whether it’s the world-class fly-fishing instruction, shotgun shooting, dirt bike/four-wheeler shenanigans in the mountains, or just relaxing on the porch having a drink with the boys and laughing as the sun sets.
I am grateful for BSB and forever grateful for men like Brian, Rob, Gabe, and Jeremy that have created this escape to get away and relax, unplug, and decompress.
See y’all again real soon,
J.”
“Without a doubt, my week with Big Sky Bravery was transformative.
I think there are two reasons why BSB had such a big impact on me.
First, the volunteers are incredible. I was so impressed by their interpersonal skills, knowledge, and physical abilities. Brian, Ron, and Gabe were all able to be my immediate best friends. This probably sounds like a simple thing, but I think it speaks volumes about how serious BSB takes its process to find the right people to lead these trips. Having these great, energetic, experienced men lead us on a week-long trip into a whole host of the best outdoor experiences Montana has to offer was incredible. I really can't say enough about these guys, and I hope we can remain friends for life.
Second, is the space we existed in for the week. I am referring to the physical space, and the emotional space. The physical space was impressive to say the least. An incredibly gracious person allowed us to stay on their property, in their home. Being invited into a space immediately made me feel welcome and at ease. Surrounding us was the beauty of Montana in every way imaginable. The ponds, streams, mountains, and fields allowed me to feel open and excited for every moment. Being in the right physical space helped me get to the right emotional space. Barriers came down, and I was able to connect with the other members of the Task Force quickly and in a meaningful way.
I found myself able to express the challenges I have faced, and still face, in a way I haven't before.
We were similar men, with no previous connections, and this allowed all of us to be vulnerable, and to communicate the things that have made us who we are now, and who we want to be in the future.
This program is for active SOF operators. I often say, "The only way to get 20 years experience is to get 20 years experience." Critically, the longer they are in the job, the more experience they have tackling the world's most complex tactical problems, and the more valuable they become to our Nation. But, this job is hard. It's hard on the operators and their families.
My hope and belief is that as BSB grows, and alumni from BSB spread throughout their respective organizations, more operators will be able to find a life-balance and a head-space that allows them to continue to serve our country at the highest level possible.
Thank you to everyone involved. I have no doubt the list is significantly longer than the three volunteers who led us on this journey. I hope you all know you are doing something incredible and deeply meaningful. We see you.
Very Respectfully,
I.”
