TF137 | Female SOF | Big Sky, MT
A note from the Task Force Director…
Patriots,
It is with great pride that I have the opportunity to recap another week spent with six of this nation's most impressive women. These women are the epitome of strength, beauty, grit, determination, and badassery. As it seems with all Task Forces, we truly met as a group of strangers, and left as sisters with more commonalities and crossed paths that we could have ever imagined from the start.
In my opinion, that is the magic of Big Sky Bravery. As an organization, we have the profound responsibility and opportunity to provide our nation’s most elite warriors with a week to decompress and rediscover what was lost on the battlefield. That is accomplished through days spent skiing (or in this week's case - snowboarding for most), epic moments on snowmobiles in Montana’s backcountry, shared dinners around the table, and conversations that build the foundation for lifelong friendships.
The week was filled with endless laughter and inside jokes, but one moment stood out that perfectly captured who these women are. Our house had a collection of books, each focusing on different aspects of the West. One evening, one of the women picked up a book titled Trailblazers—and it couldn’t have been more fitting. These six women are, indeed, trailblazers. They serve in elite units, conducting elite work to ensure the safety and protection of this great nation, all while paving the way for others to follow. It was an honor and a privilege to be in their presence, and be able to let them know of the many great patriots who see and appreciate all they do.
We cannot do what we do, without the generosity of others. Thank you to our incredibly generous donors for their endless support of those who remain on the front lines. The depth of our gratitude has no end. It is because of you that Big Sky Bravery is able to continue to bring out more of our nation's heroes and introduce them to the bliss that is Montana.
Lastly, thank you to my rockstar volunteers for the week - Robin Scott and Genevieve Kaliher. You two are something special. Thank you for bringing your authenticity and dedication to each and everything you do. Oh, and thank you for the killer meals all week :).
Thank you all for being the type of Americans worth fighting for.
With deep appreciation,
Louise ‘Weezie’ Schelhammer
Task Force 137 Director
Volunteers to Thank:
Louise Schelhammer (Task Force Director)
Robin Scott (Assistant Task Force Director)
Genevive Kaliher
Patriots to Thank:
Lone Mountain Ranch
Big Sky Resort
Canyon Adventures
Outdoor Research
Braza
FlasKap
MTN Tough
Steve + Dori Schelhammer
Nate Hill
Melissa Ferraro
Anthem Snacks, LMNT, & Wild Society Coffee
“Words cannot fully express the profound impact Big Sky Bravery (BSB) has had on me.
Coming into the week, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the volunteers or the other participants. I was blown away by the professionalism of the organization and its volunteers. Their interpersonal skills, respect, and genuine kindness were remarkable. Every detail of the trip was thoughtfully planned to make us feel respected, valued, and cared for in ways I had never experienced before.
As a woman in the military, particularly in the SOF community, it can be challenging to relate to others who haven’t shared similar experiences.
BSB provided an opportunity to connect with like-minded women within our unique community.
I was able to bond with other strong, independent women who have faced challenges similar to my own. Beyond those connections, the volunteers shared their stories and perspectives, which helped us navigate some of the most difficult aspects of our lives.
BSB didn’t just bring us together; it also gave us the chance to relax in ways that are nearly impossible at our home stations. The combination of physical activities, genuine connections, and the breathtaking scenery of Montana made this experience truly unique. The attention to detail in every planned activity left me in awe. Each person involved in Big Sky Bravery demonstrated how much they care for and value us and the work we do.
This organization directly impacts the lives of the men and women who silently fight for the American people. We will never be able to fully share with our families and friends the sacrifices we’ve made to preserve our country’s freedom. BSB recognizes that and the need for our community to recover and recharge from the relentless demands of our lives.
Big Sky Bravery changed my life.
It helped me rediscover the value in my chosen career, connect with other remarkable women in the community, and get the rest I so desperately needed. I will forever be grateful for the impact BSB has had on me and will make it my mission to ensure others understand the tremendous value of this organization.
V/R
T.”
“Because of Big Sky Bravery's amazing orchestrations that were fueled with the generous donations at hand, I had the privilege and honor of spending a week in Big Sky, Montana, with a team of amazing Big Sky Bravery volunteers that created a truly transformative experience for a group of Active Duty SOF servicewomen. As part of a dispersed military, we rarely have the chance to meet one another in person, and the isolation can sometimes make you wonder: are there others?
This week allowed us to not only come together but also connect in ways that have been missing from our work lives. We were able to form real relationships, share experiences, and bond over common struggles, all in an environment that truly nurtured us.
The space and time we had together allowed us to build camaraderie that will stay with us long after we leave. We got to experience the love and generosity of others—thanks to donations that made opportunities possible that we’d never typically be able to access on our own. This has been a reminder of the importance of community and connection, and the power that generosity has.
As a result of this week, we’re returning not just as decentralized teammates, but as a more unified force, stronger and that much more effective because we now have met "others", who we can now call upon when the nation needs us most.
The connections we made are something we’ll carry forward in our fields across the Defense enterprise, and we’re incredibly grateful for the space to rest, reflect, and build relationships in such a beautiful, restorative place. Collectively, you all placed us in positions to receive in ways we would never have allowed ourselves to accept.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
-K”
“Big Sky Bravery changed my life. I am humbled and blessed beyond belief to have experienced a week in Big Sky with incredible human beings. As a woman in special operations, I don’t always have the opportunity to work with other women because of the nature of our job.
BSB afforded me the unique opportunity to meet and commune with other powerful, humble, trailblazing women in Special Operations that I didn’t even know existed.
Over the course of a week, I was blessed to build lifelong friendships with my sisters in SOF. Exclusively because BSB facilitated this incredible experience.
Along with the friendships I have made, I was able to experience a part of the country that I have longed to explore for years. In SOF, there is never a ‘good time’ to take leave from work due to deployments, TDY trips and our operational tempo. However, BSB created the perfect program to facilitate a valuable experience on a condensed timeline. My week in Big Sky could not have come at a better time. Struggling with some life problems, I didn’t know how much I truly needed to get away from day-to-day life until I was in the mountains.
This trip changed the trajectory of my life.
It allowed me to clear my head and focus on myself for once. I was able to think clearly about the future and reflect on personal goals- something I wouldn’t have time or the bandwidth to do at home.
Lastly, something I am still struggling to accept is the outpouring of love throughout the week. Our jobs are to give. Give of ourselves, our time, our talents, and our expertise. We are trained to give back- but very rarely know how to ‘receive’. This week at BSB was 100% receive mode, which I admit went against every fiber of our SOF nature. Skiing with professional trainers, the incredible snowmobile trip, the free shopping experience, the volunteers cooking for us and aiding to every single need, the breathtaking cabin we stayed in- I could go on for paragraphs. The outpouring of love truly leaves me speechless. The donations of the BSB sponsors and the kind hearts of those in the Big Sky community who give back to SOF brings me to tears.
I have never been treated with such an outpouring of love in my life.
Words cannot express how much this experience meant to me so I will finish with this.. thank you from the bottom of my heart. For everything.
Very Respectfully,
J.”
“Hello BSB Family.
I want to thank you for making the week I had with the Big Sky Bravery volunteers possible.
The last couple of years have been pretty demanding for me. On the career side it’s a very fast-paced, high-stress environment, and on the personal side there was some family stuff that drained what mental and physical energy I had left out of me. I was actually a little hesitant coming on the trip, not knowing what it would entail or who I’d be with.
Then I actually met the volunteers and my peers, and got to experience Montana and Big Sky in particular.
I don’t exaggerate when I say it’s one of the most life-changing moments of my life.
I was able to visit a place I’ve dreamed of visiting and be surrounded by incredible beauty. I slept well, was fed well, and had the chance to let all the stress go. And even more importantly, I met women who inspired me to do better and be better every day. I made friends with amazing women who I wouldn’t have had the chance to connect with otherwise.
Words really can’t describe how much this experience means to me and I’ll treasure the memories forever. Just know how much I appreciate the BSB family that made it possible.
Sincerely,
M.”
“I was a little nervous going into Big Sky Bravery, mostly for the fact that I’m never surrounded solely by women for any period of time in my career field. Sometimes I feel like I have to put on a face with other women as if I’ve lost my identity as a woman after being surrounded by men so much. But having a week to meet other ladies, on a non-shallow, personal, level made such a big impact that I didn’t think could be made in a week.
These women were absolutely wonderful in spirit and so kind but weren’t afraid to share their experiences with me. It took no time at all to feel like I was surrounded by sisters. And I don’t just mean the other active duty women but our BSB leader and our volunteers as well. I mean, what an amazing group of such extraordinary motivated and down to earth people. I don’t think I’ve connected so fast with a group of people before. What is even more incredible is I felt truly loved from the volunteers and the other service members.
Spending the week being taken care of was an entirely new experience. Throughout my career and especially lately, I often find myself running around from the second I wake up until I lay my head down at night feeling like I haven’t even had a chance to breathe.
This week at BSB felt like a reset button.
I felt like I could sit down and not have to worry about tomorrow’s problems.
It felt like a truly safe place where I could escape but also not feel alone. And when I ultimately returned to work I felt that it brought back motivation to my career that I hadn’t felt in a while as if the week away at BSB helped me rekindle the love for my job.
I cannot express enough gratitude for the opportunity to meet such amazing people and to now have long term relationships and connections with them. BSB was such a truly remarkable experience I now feel it’s my duty to share this organization/opportunity with other SOF women I meet. I’ll cherish the memories I made there for a long time to come.
-R”
“To the donors, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and experience you were so generously able to provide. It has truly been a gift I cannot ever repay. The impact you have had on me is something I didn't know I needed. I can't express how much it means to me to know that people do care about us. Thank you!
-D”
