TF146 | Big Sky, MT
A note from the Task Force Director…
Patriots,
What a week being on this program! Being able to on board 4 new volunteers as well as host 5 recipients to an amazing week of winter activities was outstanding. But besides the daily activities that pushed each recipient and volunteers to new limits and introducing a former snowboarder to skiing Black diamonds by his second day the highlight oof this trip were the conversations had. Whether they were on the chair lift, around the fire on Buck Ridge or as the group after dinner, this group of men opened up and shared some very intimate and raw emotional feelings that saw significant healing and brotherhood formed as each night progressed.
From the heartfelt thanks to Ed and the Canyon Adventure crews for the snowmobiles and the seafood dinner, to seeing the the faces of each guy after their final run on the slopes seeing the weight lifted off and the proverbial “rock dropped from their rucksack” reaffirmed my resolve and my “Why” I/we do the things we do for these men and women within the SOF community.
I say this with heart felt thanks to each of you for the support you show to our nations most precious resource! The care you show is soaked up by them like a dry sponge and the appreciation is felt by each of them as well.
Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for them.
V/R
Jeremy Keller
TF146 Director
Volunteers to Thank:
Jeremy Keller, Task Force Director
Kris Poirier, Assistant Task Force Director
Rob Parish
R.
G.
Patriots to Thank:
The Yellowstone Club
Canyon Adventures
Outdoor Research
Engel & Völkers
Flanagan State Bank
FlasKap
Melissa Ferraro
ANTHEM Snacks//LMNT//Wild Society Coffee//Dermatone
“Big Sky Bravery (BSB) gave me an invaluable opportunity to step away from work demands and immerse myself in a stress-free environment.
This experience allowed me to clear my mind, recalibrate, and prepare for a quickly approaching leadership role in my organization.
The physically demanding activities pushed me to focus entirely on the grandeur of the mountains and the skills needed to stay in sync with the team. Evenings were equally transformative—through heartfelt discussions, I gained clarity on managing family and work-related stressors while building meaningful connections with others who shared similar challenges. This unique combination of physical and emotional engagement offered me a profound sense of perspective, resilience, and camaraderie.
In just one week, BSB gave me insights and experiences that will leave a lasting impact.
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be part of Task Force 146.
-A.”
“What this week meant to me: I was unsure of what to expect from going BSB for a week. Other than knowing I’d be with like-minded individuals and getting physically challenged, I had no idea what was in store for me. What I didn’t expect was to be mentally challenged in discussion with a new group of friends, delving deep into topics I would have never expected.
The proverbial rucksack from work can take a toll on the home front, and not only did I become more aware of that, I was given the tools by my fellow recipients, volunteers, and TF leader to drop that weight.
Being with good humans from similar backgrounds and shared experiences, pushing both physically and mentally, was a medicine I didn’t know I needed. I walk out of the week better prepared to be a good father, husband, and teammate. I am forever indebted to those men I now get to call friends. In summary, what did TF146 mean to me?
It was a life-altering experience that came at a critical moment in time, and I will carry the memory with me the rest of my life.
-W.”
“Being in the military, the concept of 'home' has always been fluid; it's never just one place. I've lived in many different locations, but true comfort comes from finding a sense of home in people. Big Sky Bravery gave me exactly that: a place of belonging, familiarity, and connection in the constant changes of military life. It was more than just a retreat; it felt like a sense of belonging.
Thank you all so much!
-C.”
“Entering Special Operations is like jumping off a boat into the ocean. From the moment you hit the water, you swim until you reach the shore. There’s no option to stop. Even when you’re exhausted, you must keep treading water.
Early in your career, it’s easy to keep swimming. It feels purposeful, the progress is tangible, and the mission is clear. You put your head down and churn through the endless deployments and training cycles. Over time, the relentless grind wears on you, and the clarity fades. You start to drag more along with you and question what you’re doing in that ocean.
Big Sky Bravery is the island. Becoming a recipient of this program represented the first time in my career that I was able to climb out of the water, breathe, and truly rest. I didn’t realize how much I needed the break until the end of the program. It truly felt like a weight had been lifted.
The week wasn’t just an opportunity to rest. The volunteers, through their time, effort, and dedication, reminded us that our contribution to the nation is important and matters. Seeing how deeply the volunteers and donors cared was truly humbling.
Big Sky Bravery is more than just an opportunity to rest; it serves as the reminder I needed that my contribution matters. The team at Big Sky Bravery recognizes our sacrifices, values our contributions, and has helped me understand my role in Special Operations with fresh eyes.
-A.”
“BSB TF 146, to me, was about camaraderie, shared hardships, and restoration.
I did not realize that I had been drowning. Drowning in stress, continuous deployments, multiple TDYs and more. My wife and daughters were my float devices, keeping my head above water.
From start to finish, my interaction with BSB was exceptional. I was immediately welcomed, seen, and heard. The scrupulous planning for the trip was taken care of and dulled any stress I had going into this TF. The amount of effort the volunteers and program manager put in did not go unnoticed. From breakfast to the top of the mountain… there were deep conversations, moments of reflection and gratitude. Spending time with my brothers-in-arms outside of work was refreshing. Getting to know each recipient and the amount of hardships we all share only brought us closer.
I left that mountain with a weight lifted off my shoulders. I am no longer drowning. But treading water with the strongest support network out there… BSB.
Thank you for the breath of fresh air. Thank you for all you do.
-C.”
