A note from the Task Force Director.

In the Special Operations Forces community, the focus is almost always on the warrior. Their service, their sacrifices, the weight of what they carry. And rightfully so.

But what happens when the ones holding everything together at home are the ones who need someone to hold them up?

Behind every deployment, every missed milestone, and every mission is a spouse carrying a weight few will ever fully understand. She is the one keeping life moving forward, raising children, managing a household, making decisions alone, and providing stability in a world defined by uncertainty.

And beneath it all are the questions that never truly leave her.

Will the phone ring today? Will there be a knock at the door? Is he safe? And when he finally comes home, will he be okay?

These are not fleeting worries. They are constant companions. A silent burden carried through school drop-offs, family dinners, holidays, and ordinary moments that never feel entirely ordinary. There is no clocking out, no setting it aside, and often, no one who truly understands.

But what if she isn't okay? Who is taking care of the woman who takes care of everyone else?

That question is at the heart of why Big Sky Bravery's Spouse Task Forces exist.

For one week in Montana, we have the privilege of creating a space where these remarkable women can simply be. Where they don't have to explain their circumstances, minimize their fears, or pretend to have it all together. Where the weight they carry may not disappear, but, perhaps for the first time in a very long time, it can be shared.

And something extraordinary happens when that weight is shared.

Through heartfelt conversations, genuine friendship, laughter, and the comfort of being surrounded by women who understand without explanation, we begin to witness a transformation. The guarded conversations grow deeper. The laughter becomes louder and more frequent. The smiles become bigger, more genuine. The walls slowly come down.

And somewhere along the way, the spark that may have grown dim beneath years of responsibility, worry, and sacrifice begins to burn brightly again.

We have the extraordinary honor of reminding these women that they matter. That their contributions to our nation's security are real, even when they happen far from the battlefield. That their sacrifices are seen, their strength is admired, and their unwavering commitment to their families and this country is worthy of profound gratitude.

As Joanna Gaines said, "Something special happens when women come together for a shared experience."

I have witnessed the truth of those words firsthand, and Task Force 186 was no exception.

For 18 years, I had the honor of standing beside my husband as he served in the Special Operations community. I know the pride that comes with that life, but I also know the uncertainty, the loneliness, and the quiet strength it demands. It is a chapter of my life I will always hold close, and one that makes the opportunity to serve these women deeply personal.

Today, I consider it an equally profound honor to stand beside the spouses who are still living that life. To help remind them that they are not alone, that there is hope even in the hardest seasons, and that their sacrifices have not gone unnoticed by the patriots of this country.

To the donors who make these weeks possible, I wish you could see what we see. The moment a woman realizes she doesn't have to carry everything alone. The relief in her laughter. The friendships formed through shared understanding. The light returning to her eyes.

You are giving these women something they so rarely give themselves: permission to be cared for.

They will return home to the same responsibilities, the same uncertainties, and the same unwavering commitment to the men and families they love. We cannot take away the weight of the life they have chosen to stand beside.

But we can make certain they never have to carry it alone.

And because of you, for one extraordinary week, they didn't.

With immense gratitude,

Allyson Keller
Task Force 186 Director

Volunteers to thank

Allyson Keller, Task Force Director
Melissa Ferraro, Assistant Task Force Director
Louise Schelhammer
K.

Patriots to thank

Ascend Properties
Canyon Adventures
Clover B Ranch
East Slope Outdoors
Journey Rent-A-Car
Lone Mountain Ranch
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.

“Spending a week adventuring, relaxing, and laughing with a group of women I had never met before, yet who share so many similar life experiences, was such a privilege and honor. My biggest takeaway, beyond the close bonds of friendship I formed, was the reminder of who I truly am—not simply my identity as a military spouse, mother, sister, or friend. The incredible leaders of my task force, along with the adventure, connection, and time spent immersed in nature, brought out an authentic part of me that I had been missing and reminded me of who I am and who I want to be moving forward from this experience. My time at BSB will forever be a point in my life that I look back on when I need to reconnect with my most authentic self. I am incredibly grateful for the memories, friendships, and reminder of the person I am underneath all the roles I carry.”

-TF186 Recipient

“In nearly 14 years as a military spouse—with six in the special operations community—I have never witnessed an organization like Big Sky Bravery. We hear frequently about the wonderful work done for veterans, but as a spouse, I have never received such tangible support on any level until now.

This experience gave me something I didn’t realize I desperately needed: time and space away from the demands of everyday life to breathe, reflect, and process one of the hardest years of our military career. When you feel your light dimming under the intensity of the special operations lifestyle, they use every available resource to help reignite that flame.

What made the experience so meaningful was the genuine care and intentionality behind every part of it. I felt supported, heard, and cared for without ever having to ask. Being encouraged to open up and connect with others was a powerful reminder that I wasn’t alone, and it was incredible to spend time with fellow spouses who understood these experiences on a deep level.

I left Montana feeling lighter, more grounded, and incredibly grateful for the people at BSB who created a space where military spouses could simply be cared for for a little while. I will carry the impact of this experience with me for a long time, and we can’t wait to come back as a family.”

-TF186 Recipient

“My time spent on the Big Sky Bravery spouses trip was a healing endeavor that I had no idea that I needed. The ability to decompress without the constraints of my normal life and without the requirements of my family’s needs provided a reprieve where I could truly have fun, make friends, and process some of the unique stressors that so many of us spouses face in our community.

Special operations wives have a perspective and experience that is a paradox: Totally individual and, simultaneously, completely shared. Being able to spend a week having the time of my life with women who understand our circumstances was an opportunity and memory that I will cherish forever.

Thank you to everyone who has made this program possible. Your impact is felt in ways you’ll never know!”

-TF186 Recipient

“I didn’t realize I needed Big Sky Bravery as much as I did. I had heard from different friends how wonderful this nonprofit was, so I was super pumped when it was finally my turn to experience beautiful Montana! It was overwhelming how loved, taken care of, and simply spoiled, me and the other women were on this adventure! I felt so seen and appreciated, which just brings me to tears thinking about it. It felt good to let my guard down and share hard things with these women that I had never met but then connected so quickly with because we share a lot of the same struggles!

Going full send in the mud puddles while riding side by sides, cart wheeling in the wildflowers with a fellow spouse, dancing at the rodeo, trying fancy foods at the club, relaxing with a spa day and candle making, getting a shopping spree, and riding horseback through the mountains was such a gift! But experiencing all of those things with fellow women who have been through the thick of it and know exactly how I feel as a special ops military wife…that was priceless. I got to meet a fellow spouse whose husband had been on wild missions with my husband, and it opened mine and her eyes to an even bigger picture of what our men do for each other in this country.

Thank you, BSB, for giving me this amazing opportunity and for caring for the spouses of the men and women who protect this country. Thank you for the recognition. I hope this nonprofit continues for many more special ops members and families to experience!”

-TF186 Recipient

“Big Sky Bravery came at a time when I really needed it. Being a spouse of someone who is SOF for me has made me feel quite isolated at times and given me a lot of anxiety. This week gave me a chance to relax a bit as well as an amazing group of women who supported and lifted each other up when a lot of us needed it the most, and I will cherish the time I got to spend at BSB.”

-TF186 Recipient