TF130 | SOF Females | Big Sky, MT
A note from the Task Force Director…
I just want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to the BSB community for trusting me to lead TF 130! This week would not have been possible if it were not for the donors and sponsors, you are the ones who make this possible. Thank you for all your unwavering support. Next, thank you to the BSB staff who spent hours upon days making sure every detail was perfect so these weeks can be executed and flawless. And last but not least, Thank you to my fellow volunteers. You truly were my “Dream Team”. Ennea, your years of experience in the military were priceless and relatable. And your optimistic spirit was infectious. Geri, your graciousness is evident in every interaction. Your sincerity fostered the trust and openness for a week we will never forget.
TF 130
“Let Montana do what Montana does.” - Ennea
This quote truly was a testament to Montana and the community that surrounded us throughout the week. Upon arriving at the airport on Sunday, we welcomed our four women from the nation’s active duty Special Operations Force (SOF) and began building connections. The activities throughout the week fostered an environment of support and encouragement. Whether it was climbing to a mountain ridge on day one after coming from sea level just 12 hrs before, or cheering on their fellow boat mate when they caught a “minnow” of a fish, these ladies were not going miss out on any of what Montana had to offer.
I watched as all these ladies shared life experiences, leaned into the vulnerability of others, and had revelations about the things that hold us back the most. Montana showed us all her seasons in one week. From early morning snow capped mountains in the hot tub, to sun kissed faces floating the Madison river, Montana did not disappoint. The ladies of this task force were in awe of the patriots in the community around Big Sky and Ennis who support these task forces.
It's hard to put into words the impact of what 6 nights with 6 women you have never met can have on your life. I will forever be grateful for what the members of our military and SOF members sacrifice and how they do it with so much grace and honor. Taking the intention and time to share in one another’s accomplishments helped strengthen our connection and build a sense of camaraderie that will last long after we have all returned home. To my fellow members of Task Force 130, Thank you for an unforgettable week and I look forward to our forever bond.
~ Millie Braxton
Task Force 130 Director
Volunteers to Thank:
Millie Braxton (Task Force Director)
Ennea Dailey (Assistant Task Force Director)
Geri Siudzenski
Patriots to Thank:
The Kalaher Family
Canyon Adventures
Lone Mountain Ranch
Reset Big Sky
Melissa Ferraro
Anthem, LMNT, & Wild Society Coffee
“It is so easy to get caught up in our day-to-day lives: packing for a trip, unpacking, navigating the frustrating bureaucratic machine, constantly focused on your team and your mission and pushing to improve…and for those of us who have been around a while, just trying to keep up with the younger guys…and then somehow fitting in time with family and keeping regular life together and feeling overwhelmingly guilty when you’ve missed yet another little league game and birthday.
Everyone has a lot of life to handle but the SOF life can be especially all-consuming. You forget what it’s like to be a person. And since we rarely see anything outside of our community, you can easily forget why you push yourself beyond your breaking point so often.
BSB is the reset button. The reminder that we are human.
It’s okay to be overwhelmed. It’s okay to take a break. And, most importantly, there are people who care. Someone who notices, respects, and appreciates the effort. A whole community of incredible people who provide perspective and overwhelmingly generous support and mentorship and compassion. It is so humbling to be surrounded by astonishing women who give their valuable time and skills so freely and openly. The cohort of BSB volunteers are a force all on their own and I’m beyond grateful to now call them my friends.
It makes me believe in America again.
There is absolutely nothing like BSB and it is by far the most impactful thing I’ve experienced in my 15 years of SOF.
I want to personally thank each one of you for every single thing you provide for all of us. It is more moving and humbling than I can describe and it would be my honor to return the favor and make you proud of what we do.
Respectfully,
C.”
“Big Sky Bravery is the fullest embrace of community that I have ever experienced in my time on Active Duty.
The organization aligns every detail of intentionality to provide a truly transformative retreat for the service members blessed with this opportunity.
There is no doubt that the volunteers selected to guide us were carefully selected and diligently prepared themselves to invest in every moment of this week. I will never forget nor take lightly the sacrifice and selflessness that all the necessary donors and volunteers have made in order to keep this experience flourishing and relevant to the recovery and enrichment of service members. Thank you Big Sky Bravery.
L.”
“I have been in the Special Operations community for four years, with 18 months spent forward deployed, and about half of the remaining time "on the road" in support of complex training objectives. This operational tempo has left me with anxiety, heartburn, and the acute feeling that I am never doing enough. When I was approached to take an open slot for a week at BSB, I pushed back, insisting there was another candidate more deserving of this incredible opportunity than myself. But when no other women in my organization had the availability, I guiltily agreed to attend. Luckily for me, my Task Force Director and Volunteers were adamant that Special Operations Professionals don't need to be broken to receive and benefit from this spectacular gift.
I have been fortunate to see firsthand the impact of BSB on my teammates, who leave for the program overworked and stressed, and return rejuvenated and reset.
Our Task Force Director and volunteers took absolute and complete care of us, allowing us to fully experience the grandeur and healing that Montana has to offer. It is no mystery why this place was chosen to fill the cups of service members who are frequently deployed, and more often away from home. Our week was filled with wholesome adventure through nature, expertly curated by our Task Force Director, who, as a local, knew not only which activities would afford us real Montana experiences, but those that would bring us closer together. We spent each evening answering deep questions about our lives and our service alongside our TF volunteers, who are each remarkable women in their own right. Each question proved cathartic and enabled our bonds to grow deeper. Perhaps the best part of this experience were the opportunities to simply chat with other women who had similar experiences and backgrounds.
Talking about the things we have seen and done can be the most relieving way to process them, and with few women in this community, BSB is an avenue to heal, bond, and grow together against Montana's most beautiful backdrop.
I am overcome with gratitude and appreciation for this opportunity, have departed with a profound feeling that our service is appreciated, and am dedicated to ensuring that more are able to experience this program that truly changes lives.
Best,
C.”
“I had no idea how much I needed Big Sky Bravery until I returned; my family, friends, and colleagues all noticed visible changes in my mood and demeanor- and all for the better.
As a female working within the special operations community for over 15 years, I had grown accustomed to not taking a break and "pushing through". Big Sky Bravery provided me an opportunity to "let my hair down" and let Montana do what Montana is supposed to do. I laughed, cried, shared stories with an amazing group of women, both inside the SOF community and inside the Montana community.
I was able to share fears I had bottled up for numerous years with my military career and finally connect with a group of women who, to this day, will be like sisters. The week of adventures and relaxation gave me an opportunity to reflect on my career with pride and to connect with other incredible women who had common goals and grit.
I personally am grappling with trying to start a family and retire following 20 years in service, the community of Big Sky helped me to find my identity and recognize that I am enough. I couldn't ask for a better experience. Our team of volunteers, the experiences, the beautiful mountains, all provided me with an environment conducive to letting go of the everyday stress we pile on in these difficult assignments. Thank you team.
M.”
