A note from the Task Force Director.

Day one of our Task Force started off the day after the hottest recorded day in Montana history. There is nothing like welcoming our guests to scorching heat. To our surprise, everyone who got off the airplane that day was thankful there wasn’t the humidity they are used to. We made our introductions and made sure everyone had everything they needed before we started off on our unknown journey together.

We started our drive toward Big Timber, MT with our gear loaded and everyone making small talk. Usually on this drive I like to point out the abundant wildlife that we get to see here in Montana; however, due to the extreme heat, we didn’t see anything. We stopped at The Fort in Big Timber, which is a unique, awesome gas station that sells just about anything you can imagine. We decided to take the scenic route from there as opposed to getting back on the interstate, and because of that we finally saw an antelope! After driving down a long dirt road, we finally made it to the 4C Ranch, which is where we would call home for the week to come.

I have been blessed to do a few TF’s on this ranch, and it is truly amazing. The views of the mountains and foothills, the streams, and wildlife, along with the fact that we are very secluded, make this place very special. We took the road through the ranch to our new house. We downloaded our gear and then loaded up in side-by-sides to go to one of my favorite ridge tops for the evening to show everyone the lay of the land. On our drive we saw bear, deer, and then watched the sunset. On our drive home we found a huge elk shed! After a late dinner and some amazing conversations, we stepped out to look at the stars, which were amazing without any light pollution.

Day two started off with a trip to one of the stocked trout ponds on the ranch. Our awesome volunteer, Gabe, is a master fly fishing instructor, and after one lesson and a few tries, everyone caught a fish. We had lunch in the shade under one of the trees, then decided to move to the creek for more fishing. That night, Gabe made the best fish tacos. We made an adventure to go get firewood and then spent the rest of the evening talking by the fire.

On day three, we had a late breakfast and then fished in the creek. In the afternoon we took the side-by-sides for a ride to explore parts of the ranch that we hadn’t seen yet. We saw tons of wildlife and the views were amazing.

Day four started early; we made breakfast burritos and then packed lunches and drove to the Yellowstone River for some guided fly fishing. The Paradise Valley is an amazing place to see, let alone float the river on. Marcus, Chris, Schuyler, and Stewart are some of the best guides we could have asked for. After an amazing day of catching fish and seeing a bear on the river, we drove to Livingston to have an amazing supper at the Rib and Chop. Back at the ranch that night, we sat by the fire and laughed and told tall tales about the huge fish that got away that day.

Our final day on the ranch started off with us meeting up with the ranch manager, Rob. He took us to a prairie dog town for some target practice to help out one of the neighbors. After lunch, everyone split off to enjoy the ranch. More exploring, more fishing, and hiking filled the afternoon. We had an amazing night. Dinner was great, and then we spent the rest of the night by the fire. It was truly the best way to close out the week.

The next morning, we packed up and said goodbye to our wonderful getaway so we could all go back to our families. After dropping everyone off at the airport, we realized we were leaving new members of our chosen families. I am proud to have spent time with all these incredible men, and I will always be thankful for this week.

Respectfully,

Brian Nelson
Task Force 184 Director

Volunteers to thank

Brian Nelson, Task Force Director
Gabe McMasters, Assistant Task Force Director
E.

Patriots to thank

4 Creeks Ranch & Rob Schwarz
Aggressive Nation
Badger Creek Customs
East Slope Outdoors
Elizabeth Nelson
Montana Metal Art
Stone Glacier
Svnfold
The Rivers Edge
Timberline Cigar Lounge
Welcome Bag Patriots: Alpine Dentistry, Anthem Snacks, FHF Gear, Graplrz, LMNT, Melissa Ferraro, onX Maps, River's Edge West, & Wild Society Coffee.

“My experience with Big Sky Bravery was truly one that I will cherish for the rest of my life. From the moment I arrived, I felt like I could finally take a step back from the fast pace of everyday life and just breathe. Having everything already taken care of allowed me to fully enjoy the experience without having to worry.

This experience gave me a much-needed mental break and the opportunity to focus on myself, learn new life skills, and create memories that I know I will carry with me forever. More importantly, it helped me open up and connect with people in ways I normally might not. I met some truly amazing people and shared experiences that brought us closer together.

There was something special about being able to step away from the daily routine, slow down, and experience something completely different. It reminded me how important it is to make time for yourself, appreciate the people around you, and be open to new experiences.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of Big Sky Bravery. It was an absolute honor to be included in such an amazing experience, and I cannot thank everyone involved enough for making it possible. The memories, friendships, and life lessons I gained will stay with me forever.

I will always be grateful for this experience and proud to have been a part of the Task Force.”

-TF184 Recipient

“Big Sky Bravery gave me one of the best weeks of recovery and rejuvenation that I have ever had in my life. The friendship and brotherhood built during this Task Force was something I will carry with me forever.

Thanks to Brian, Gabe, and E., our experience in Montana was exceptional. The activities that we partook in were very well planned and served as the medium for our recovery and release from our day-to-day grinds. I was extremely impressed with their balance of professionalism and ability to just be friends.

I cannot say thank you enough for this trip. It has allowed me to return in a much better mental and physical state, encouraged me to be a better friend and teammate, and allowed me to be a better husband and father.

Patriots supporting patriots. Thank you!”

-TF184 Recipient

“I have known of Big Sky Bravery for years, but never understood what it was at a deeper level until I participated. On paper, it is a location, outdoor activities, participants, and guides. But it took experiencing it in person to realize it is therapy tailored to the Special Operations soul. The natural beauty and solitude of the hills and mountains, the meditative state of fly fishing on a shaded stream or hiking a ridgeline without another human in sight, and the camaraderie of a small group of men with shared experiences and core values, simultaneously sharing their struggles while providing support for others doing the same. These are the conditions and environment most suited for many of us to find peace and come to terms with the baggage of a life we willingly chose, and would choose again in a heartbeat, but which has left indelible scars on our souls. BSB is a truly righteous program, and all those who help make it possible have my deepest gratitude.”

-TF184 Recipient

“This week was an incredible experience for me, both professionally and emotionally. Taking a step back from the high-stress, fast-paced work environment allowed me to connect with nature, the volunteers, and the other recipients on a deep level. The trip allowed me to disconnect from all the chaos at my unit and connect with great Americans in the beautiful mountains of Montana. I will cherish these memories forever and will implement the lessons learned going forward in my life. Not just the fly fishing lessons, but the openness and meaningful connections with others. I feel like we all get so busy with life and work, but there is goodness in slowing down and being outside in God's creation. Also, being with other like-minded men and sharing personal stories and struggles is something I will strive to continue when I'm back home.

Brian, Gabe, and E. took time out of their busy lives to coach and guide the four of us throughout the week, and I couldn't be more grateful. They were incredible hosts and allowed us to take a step back, relax, breathe, and reflect. Their guided questions allowed us all to think introspectively and share our thoughts and experiences. This was extremely beneficial.

The location and the accommodations were superb. Being on a beautiful ranch in the mountains of Montana and hearing the creek running beside the lodge made the evenings and mornings especially peaceful. Not knowing what I was getting into, I showed up with just a backpack of clothes. Everything was provided for the recipients, and there was zero stress.

I'm truly grateful for the opportunity and appreciate all the work that goes into it behind the scenes to make such a smooth, incredible experience. I will always remember this trip and the great Americans with whom I spent it.”

-TF184 Recipient