TF135 | Big Sky, MT
A note from the Task Force Director…
Task Force 135 was a testament to resilience and camaraderie. Despite flight delays that had participants arriving close to midnight on Monday, the team embraced the week with unwavering enthusiasm.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday were dedicated to skiing at Big Sky Resort. The group navigated the slopes, sharing laughter and supporting one another through each descent. A standout moment for the team was when every participant skied the tram, conquering Big Sky's iconic high-alpine terrain and celebrating the achievement together. Thursday brought a thrilling change of pace with a snowmobiling adventure, allowing participants to experience Montana's breathtaking backcountry in a new light.
Every Task Force I participate in reminds me of the profound debt we owe these men—true warriors who have given so much in service to our nation. It also reaffirms the power of Montana's wilderness. The unique combination of fellowship, decompression, and the vast, open spaces creates an environment that is not only healing but transformative.
Evenings were spent reflecting on the day's experiences, fostering deeper connections among team members. The shared challenges and triumphs of the week not only strengthened individual resolve but also solidified the bonds within the group.
This life-changing work is made possible thanks to our dedicated volunteers and the generous support of local partners, including Big Sky Resort and Canyon Adventures. To our donors, your contributions allow us to provide these warriors with the experiences they so deeply deserve. Because of you, we are creating a space where healing begins, resilience grows, and lifelong memories are forged.
As Task Force 135 concludes, we carry forward the memories and lessons learned, reminded of the strength found in unity, gratitude, and shared purpose.
Mike Vint
TF135 Director
Volunteers to Thank:
Mike Vint (Task Force Director)
Sean Y.
Sterling Perkins
Patriots to Thank
The Parks Family
Big Sky Resort
Lone Mountain Ranch
Canyon Adventures
Outdoor Research
PEAK Skis
FlasKap
Melissa Ferraro
Anthem Snacks, LMNT, & Wild Society Coffee
“To Sean, Mike, Sterling, Donors and all other supporters of BSB,
I truly can't say thank you enough, words still can't even begin to describe my experience during TF135. The combination of volunteers of character, new/challenging experiences, and thought-provoking questions truly help break down barriers that have been established to compartmentalize traumas or confusing experiences that only a small group of individuals would understand. I can confidently say I have never been more comfortable being vulnerable and able to express myself openly than I did with the members of this TF.
The effect this creates surpasses the time spent in the TF, but is carried within all of us and influences how we live the rest of our lives.
This is only due to the generosity, love, and selflessness of the people that make BSB possible. I will forever be grateful for the TF.
-A.”
“My experience as part of TF135 was an experience I never thought I would get while serving on active duty. The opportunity to spend time with other active-duty members of the SOF community in the mountains of Montana was the catalyst I needed to affect significant changes in my own life. The mountains have always been a spiritual expression for me. Sharing this with men of character while focusing on self-recovery helped me redefine purpose in myself, my family and my career in a way that I couldn’t achieve it otherwise.
This experience was filled with memories I will never forget.
During the TF, we talked about some of the most important memories we shared together. I wanted to share mine with you. I was privileged to ski off the top of Lone Mountain twice during the TF. Access to the summit was provided by a tram that ran sporadically through the day. When it was our time to go, I remember waiting at the station to see the guide cables extending up into clouds. You couldn’t see anything on the summit. Riding and stepping off the tram at over 11,000 feet was a thrill. Doing it with these men was a mission. Each experience had its share of limited visibility and rapidly changing conditions on the summit. On the second day, we had howling winds that ripped over the summit ridgeline, adding more to the already sharp feelings of exposure. Both times, our team was made up of TF members with diverse experience in the mountains.
Despite it all, we skied down the mountain together and enjoyed some of the best powder that Big Sky had in years at the high elevations. I walked away from this with a metaphorical representation of my experience that helped me refocus.
It represented the fact that my community, Big Sky Bravery included, has my back, even when we don’t know what’s in front of us.
It reminded me of a promise to those with which I serve and those who support those who serve that I will always have their backs. Both in and out of service. This sense of empowerment was important because I am rapidly moving towards the end of my own military service, and it’s been a lingering question that I frequently think about. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate. While I certainly don’t believe that I am entitled to or deserve any of the wonderful treatment Big Sky Bravery provided for me, I am honored to have had the chance to be part of the magic.
A Note on Volunteers:
The volunteer team who supported our TF were among some of the most inspirational and fantastic people I have met in my adult life. These people were still on active duty, previously on active duty, or, in some cases, never served. They facilitated our experience and encouraged us as part of the team. The genuine sense that our volunteers were here to take care of family was immediately felt from the moment I stepped off the plane in Bozeman. I truly hope that I can have the same kind of impact on our community that our volunteers had on me.”
"To the donors and volunteers of BSB,
I want to thank you for your generosity and support to BSB. The week in Montana was an incredible experience, that enabled me to reset and recharge from my recent deployment and demanding work tempo.
Through your kindness, I was able to reconnect, reflect, and build camaraderie with others who share similar journeys.
The care and thoughtfulness poured into every aspect of the program were truly humbling and reminded me that there are patriots like you who deeply value the sacrifices made by members of the SOF community.
I truly feel that I returned in a stronger and more centered place after the chance to push myself on the mountain and engage in profound conversations each night with fellow participants and TF volunteers.
This experience was one of the rare opportunities I’ve had to focus on 'filling my own cup,' allowing me to come back to my family and the mission with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper appreciation for what and who we are fighting for.
Thank you for your belief in Big Sky Bravery’s mission and for playing such an essential role in this life-changing experience.
-T.”
“On the summit of Lone Peak, the wind howled and kicked up enough snow that I couldn’t see my route or even my feet. About every 10 seconds, it would clear up and I would see a fellow brother smiling back at me, and we would regain visibility of the route. It was these windows that allowed us to navigate back down from the summit. I won’t ever forget that.
For a long time, I have been running, finding myself in a place where I couldn’t see where I was. Couldn’t see where I came from or where I was going. This TF provided that window - to survey surroundings, regain clarity, and reorient direction.
The volunteers provided a renewed sense of brotherhood and community that transcended the military. I’m profoundly grateful.
-G.”
“This program was exactly what I needed to disengage.
I had been locked in the grind for so long that even when I was away from work, I couldn't find a way to let go and enjoy time with my wife and family. I've been constantly preoccupied with all of the obligations and problems that need to be solved within the unit. Even when I was physically present with my family, I was not mentally or emotionally present. I couldn't enjoy the time with them, and I wasn't actually there for them to enjoy the time with me.
This was exactly what I needed to put aside all of the stressors around me and have time for some introspection and great conversation with a group of men who had similar experiences and issues to that of my own.
I came home refreshed and better focused to give my wife and kids someone who’s mentally and emotionally present.
I have heard of everything that BSB offers, but until I actually experienced it I didn't realize how extensive it was. From the volunteers to everyone who donates, It was amazing to see all of the work, time, and resources that are put towards this program. It was great to spend time with the people who contribute to the program and make all of this possible. I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to share this incredible experience with other men in the community.
I really appreciated the challenging conversations we would have each night. There are few things that can motivate us as much as men holding other men accountable for admitting when they have come up short and committing to taking action to make their lives and relationships better than they arrived with. It's not often we have the opportunity and mentorship from others with our shared experiences to have those kinds of meaningful conversations.
-J.”
