A note from the Task Force Director.

Task Force weeks always seem to fly by, and TF #185 was no different. We were honored to host five incredible and impactful men and give them a taste of everything Montana has to offer. The week did not disappoint.

Their Week
After the usual handshakes, introductions, and warm greetings, we welcomed our recipients to Montana at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. After collecting luggage, we headed to the Big Sky Bravery offices. Following lunch and a tour of both the offices and shop, we loaded up for one final stop in Bozeman.

Our men visited Murdoch’s to get "cowboyed up." After plenty of laughs and smiles, everyone had a hat, and we were headed south toward Big Sky and our home for the week. A Montana-themed dinner set the tone for what would become an unforgettable experience.

Monday brought a hike to Beehive Basin, giving our men an opportunity to acclimate to the elevation and get some exercise. When they weren’t taking in the incredible scenery, they were practicing their fly-casting skills in preparation for fishing later in the week. The hike and elevation worked up an appetite that only the Horn & Cantle at beautiful Lone Mountain Ranch could satisfy. A lot of laughs and a couple of tomahawk steaks later, our men were relaxing back at base camp. Montana had given them their first glimpse of what she can do.

Tuesday elevated the adventure, literally, with a trip to Lone Peak. A quick ride on the tram gave our recipients the opportunity to experience Montana from more than 11,000 feet. Although some wildfire smoke limited the views, it certainly did not diminish the smiles inspired by the breathtaking surroundings.

Our descent from Lone Peak brought us to Bri and Canyon Adventures for horseback riding. Along the trail, conversations flowed as these men fully embraced the cowboy experience, hats and all. Many thanks to Bri and the guides who provided us with a fantastic ride.

The horse-themed day didn’t end there. That evening, our men attended the Lone Mountain Ranch Rodeo. Bucking broncs, cattle rustling, and barrel racing brought smiles to everyone's faces. For many, it was their first rodeo experience. Once again, Montana and its culture delivered something special.

Fish On Wednesday!
Our longest road trip of the week took us to Lyons Bridge Fishing Access Site for a float trip on the Upper Madison River. A special thank you to East Slope Outdoors for providing outstanding guides for our recipients.

Every recipient landed fish. Some boats even landed a little water.

The drive back to base camp gave Montana another opportunity to showcase its beauty. By this point, these men were beginning to understand what makes this place so special.

Rip It Thursday!
Thursday brought us back to Canyon Adventures for a day of UTV riding. A huge thank you to Ed and the entire Canyon Adventures staff for their hospitality and support.

Our Task Force hit the trails hard. Large ditches filled from overnight rain ensured that every UTV cabin received a healthy dose of water, along with plenty of laughter. As the miles rolled on, both the cabins and the glasses dried out. We paused to take in the incredible view of Sphinx Mountain, another reminder of Montana’s unmatched beauty.

A couple of quick field repairs later, we were back at Canyon Adventures and ready for one final stop. We took our recipients to see the future: the Big Sky Bravery Ranch.

Set against an impressive backdrop, they got a firsthand look at where they will return as alumni recipients. Once again, Montana had captured their hearts.

The Purpose
Every day of TF185, our recipients and volunteers were engaged.

Engaged in our shared struggles and successes.

Engaged in the daily realities of life.

Engaged in conversations about what truly matters.

Some of our recipients were at the beginning of their service journey, some were in the middle, and some were nearing the end. Despite coming from different backgrounds and experiences, this diverse group of men, who had met only four days earlier, connected deeply with Montana and embraced the mission of Big Sky Bravery.

They connected with one another. They connected with our volunteers. And they connected with what our donors and supporters make possible for recipients on every Task Force.

Thank you to Kevin Swain and Neil Harris, true patriots who gave everything they had to these recipients and were always present for the men we served. The professionalism and dedication you displayed in accomplishing our Task Force mission were truly remarkable. I am honored to serve alongside both of you.

We are blessed by the time these recipients shared with us. God bless these incredible men, their families, the donors of Big Sky Bravery, and the volunteers who make these experiences possible.

May God always bless the United States of America.

This isn't the end.

It's just the beginning.

Thankfully & Sincerely,

Randy Kleinhans
Task Force 185 Director

Volunteers to thank

Randy Kleinhans, Task Force Director
Kevin Swain, Assistant Task Force Director
Neil Harris

Patriots to thank

Ascend Properties
Canyon Adventures
Clover B Ranch
East Slope Outdoors
Little Belt Cattle Co.
Moonlight Basin
Stone Glacier
Welcome Bag Patriots: Alpine Dentistry, Anthem Snacks, FHF Gear, Graplrz, LMNT, Melissa Ferraro, onX Maps, River's Edge West, & Wild Society Coffee.

"There are few institutions that offer high-end outreach programs to active duty SOF members, and none quite like Big Sky Bravery. Across my 26 years of government service, half of which has been spent within Special Operations, I have never felt so humbled, appreciated, and cared for than by the volunteers at BSB. The genuine outpouring of gratitude, service, and support by our Task Force volunteers, and the tireless efforts of the staff, made my BSB experience nothing short of life-changing. At the very least, it was a touching reminder that God-fearing, American patriots still walk the streets of the United States and are willing to show their gratitude through generous, charitable contributions. At most, my experience at BSB helped foster a reprioritization of my own mental, emotional, and spiritual healing that will have positive reverberations throughout my family for generations to come. While I feel immensely undeserving of the attention and resources, it was an honor to be one of BSB's recipients for TF 185. I am humbled beyond measure, and I pray that someday I'll be able to give back more than I took. Thank you."

-TF185 Recipient

“I almost didn't go. This wasn't ops or a training TDY, and part of me felt like taking a week away from my family and work was undeserved. I greatly appreciated my unit's nomination and the mission of Big Sky Bravery, but I hesitated. I didn’t want to add to what my spouse already carries. Despite my reservations, the experience became one of the most valuable weeks of personal growth I've had in years.

The Montana landscape and activities drew me in immediately. Horseback riding and the rodeo brought plenty of local color, and the side-by-sides were muddy fun. Fly fishing wasn't something I expected to enjoy, but somewhere between casting and shooting the shit with our guide, an Army vet, and Randy, the TFD, the usual noise in my head went quiet for a bit.

What stayed with me most, however, were the nightly conversations. The recipients spanned different career stages and backgrounds, and the volunteers were equally diverse, with some retired military and others with no military background at all. Recipients, myself included, were reticent to share at first, but Randy, Kevin, and Neil spent a week away from their own families and work to create a space where honest reflection could happen. By the end of the week, we were saying things out loud that we would normally keep to ourselves and just continue the mission. I learned that I wasn't the only one working through similar things, and we walked away with ideas from one another that I'm still applying. Hopefully I shared a few that were useful to others as well.

The week after, my family spent time together at a small cabin in the mountains on the East Coast. I noticed myself being more present, more spontaneous, and I found myself initiating conversations that grew out of those questions we were initially slow to unpack in Montana. It turns out that the week I hesitated to take away from my family made me a better husband, father, and leader in the time since. After more than 25 years of service, the experiences in Montana gave me a healthier perspective on who I am both in and out of uniform, and a clearer way to think about what lies ahead as I approach retirement.

I've never been fully comfortable with ‘thank you for your service,’ or someone buying a beer when they realize I'm military, but this was different. What Big Sky Bravery and those patriotic volunteers gave us wasn't simply a trip to Montana; it was time, energy, and honest conversation. Randy, Kevin, and Neil invested in a group of people they had never met, and it led to connection and growth I hadn't expected. I want to thank them, and the donors who make these experiences possible, not only for what they do for recipients, but for our families too.”

-TF185 Recipient

“Big Sky Bravery gave me something I didn’t realize I needed: a chance to slow down, reconnect, and simply be present in the moment. The week was filled with incredible experiences. It was humbling to see fellow Americans with so much patriotism and sense of service. I am beyond grateful for the donors, the volunteers, and the mission of Big Sky Bravery.”

-TF185 Recipient

“First and foremost, I want to express my sincere gratitude to Randy, Kevin, and Neil for their unwavering commitment and the personal sacrifices they make to serve individuals they have never met. It is difficult to put into words how meaningful that level of selflessness is. The BSB mission is truly extraordinary, and even with a full understanding of its purpose and the incredible amount of planning, coordination, and volunteer effort required, I still find myself feeling undeserving of everything that was invested in us. From the earliest pre-arrival coordination through the final family dinner, every detail reflected genuine care, professionalism, and a desire to create an unforgettable experience. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of something so special.”

-TF185 Recipient

“Thanks or any other selection of words doesn't do justice to the dedication from Randy, Kevin, Neil, and the BSB staff. The experience was amazing with the combined activities and building camaraderie. The group discussions at night were something I found myself looking forward to, and not for my sharing portion, but for listening. As I said in the beginning, it feels awkward to be catered to, with the guys taking care of everything. I realize now, as weird as it felt, that it is part of you guys trying different things to build trust, provide a space of comfort, and getting to know us. I took a lot away from my time with the TF, including new salt stones haha. Truly can't express my gratitude enough for the team.”

-TF185 Recipient