TF189 | Big Sky, MT
A note from the Task Force Director.
TF 189 A Week to Remember
Our first day in Montana started the only way it could—an impromptu, blistering-pace hike up Beehive Basin. It was an immediate reminder that this wasn’t going to be a week spent sitting around. That afternoon, we traded hiking boots for kayaks and spent the day making our way down the Gallatin River, surrounded by the kind of scenery that makes you stop and take it all in. That evening, we headed to the Lone Mountain Ranch rodeo, closing out an already full first day with a little Montana tradition.
On day two, we loaded up the side-by-sides and headed toward Buck Ridge. When we reached mile marker 16, we left the machines behind and started the arduous climb toward BSB Ridge. The hike was tough, but the views and the shared experience made every step worth it. That evening, we gathered for an incredible dinner at the Auric Room—good food, great conversation, and a chance to slow down after a long day outside.
The following day was spent on the Madison River, fly fishing beneath some of the most incredible scenery Montana has to offer. There was something about being on that river that naturally slowed everything down. The pace was different, the conversations were easy, and for a few hours, the only things that seemed to matter were the river, the mountains, and the guys standing beside you.
For our final day, we loaded up once again and headed to Ennis Lake, where we spent the day at the Shit Show Saloon, thanks to our incredible volunteer, Mark Renner. We spent the day wake surfing, eating an awesome lunch, laughing, and enjoying every minute of it. It was the perfect way to finish a week that had somehow managed to feel both incredibly full and far too short.
But as is always the case, it was the conversation on the final night that stayed with us the most.
At some point, the jokes and stories gave way to something deeper. The conversation went places that none of us necessarily expected when the week began. These men carry a weight that most people will never fully understand. They have seen things, experienced things, and carried responsibilities that leave marks long after the mission is over.
And to watch them begin to set some of that weight down—even if only for a week—is something difficult to put into words.
There is something powerful about putting a group of men together who don’t need an explanation. No backstory is required. No translation is necessary. They simply understand. They know what it means to carry the weight, and they know what it means to finally have a place where you can let some of it go.
A special thank you also goes to our incredible volunteers, Stu and Drew, for their selfless service to Big Sky Bravery. They gave their time, energy, and expertise simply to make this week better for the men who were there. That kind of service often happens quietly and behind the scenes, but it is a huge part of what makes experiences like this possible. We are incredibly grateful for both of them.
That is what makes weeks like this so special.
The hikes, rivers, mountains, rodeos, fishing, wake surfing, and incredible meals were unforgettable. But the real gift was the camaraderie—the laughter, the shared experiences, the quiet moments, and the conversations that reminded us that none of us have to carry everything alone.
It was an honor and a privilege to spend this week with these men. We came to Montana for an adventure, but we left with something far more meaningful: a little more perspective, a few more memories, and the reminder that sometimes the best thing you can give someone is simply a place to belong.
Until the next one,
Jacob Kauffman
Task Force 189 Director
Volunteers to thank
Jake Kauffman, Task Force Director
Stu Binenstock, Assistant Task Force Director
Drew Flood
Patriots to thank
Ascend Properties
Canyon Adventures
Lone Mountain Ranch
Rich Searle
Stone Glacier
Welcome Bag Patriots: Alpine Dentistry, Anthem Snacks, FHF Gear, Graplrz, LMNT, Melissa Ferraro, onX Maps, River's Edge West, & Wild Society Coffee.
“I’d like to start off with a heartfelt thank you to all those who support the Big Sky Bravery organization. I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to come off the line for a whole week, meet other amazing operators from across the SOF enterprise, and together, embark upon an adventure that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I’m a California native but moved to the East Coast as an adolescent, completely unaware that I would likely not have the opportunity to return to the coast I love most. Above all else, I missed the mountains. Thirty-plus years passed since I passed the continental divide, twenty years on active duty. I vividly remember the mountains in Afghanistan in the spring and thinking to myself, ‘Lord, I wish I could take a day to actually enjoy this place.’
I was so excited when I heard that I was going to get to attend a week with BSB. I’ve heard so much about it from the guys that have gone. They all say the same thing, that it was exactly what they needed. A chance to decompress and recharge. I’d like to take a moment to emphasize just how monumental those two words are to us, especially those of us with families. We flip on a switch when called upon to act; our minds go to places far from here to focus on the task ahead. Any thoughts of family and loved ones are shoved in a box and pushed aside, as you can imagine, to ‘free’ us, if the full measure is what is asked of us. Nothing can slow us down until the job is done. And just like that, once it’s done, we find ourselves at home, flipping the switch back off. But even at home, the switch is flipped daily due to our training cycles. Training where any error can yield catastrophic results. It is exhausting to say the least. We do take personal leave from time to time; however, we are hyper-vigilant with our phones in case the call comes, and our minds are never far enough from our work to truly relax. BSB gives us that opportunity.
I was greeted with smiles by our three volunteers at the airport and introduced to the kind people who run BSB. I cannot say enough good about these folks. They did everything in their power to see to it that I not lift a finger for myself the entire trip in order for me to focus soley on repairing my mind and spirit. If I’m being honest, this level of service was one of the harder things for me to get comfortable with and I’m incredibly humbled and grateful for their care. It worked.
There’s a funny meme out there that shows a middle-aged man in a lawn chair, with a 1,000-mile stare who’s coming to the realization that he can’t actually remember what used to make him happy. I absolutely relate to that guy; however, I was pleasantly surprised that the question was immediately answered: The mountains out west! Every day was better than the last and I can’t remember the last time I smiled that much. I felt like a kid again, and while it was only for a short while, the positive effects will undoubtably carry on in my heart for a lifetime.
I also enjoyed it when we’d come together as a group at the end of the day to get things off our chest and fellowship a while. I made lifelong friends in those discussions and will be grateful to BSB for the opportunity to meet them. There’s nothing more therapeutic than vocalizing your concerns that you can’t solve alone and getting buy-in from your peers. Obstacles don’t seem as large, and problems don’t seem as complicated when you have the team firing on all cylinders finding ‘a way.’
I’d like to thank you, the donor, specifically for a moment. I’m sure you have a million options regarding where to focus your philanthropy. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for choosing to share yours with BSB. It’s easy these days to see the different directions this country is being pulled and easier still to feel frustration and angst from it all. You’ve given me the gift of knowing for certain that there are still incredible Americans out there. Americans who believe in the charter of this great nation and ‘damn few’ who still understand and act upon our most primal agreement to one another: we pledge to one another our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. In other words, we watch each other’s back! Thank you so very much for this opportunity. God bless you. It’s been an honor to serve this country, especially a great American like YOU!”
-TF189 Recipient
“Big Sky Bravery truly gave me something I didn’t realize I needed - permission to pause.
Life can move so quickly that we rarely take the time to step back, breathe, and reset. My experience with Big Sky Bravery gave me that space. It allowed me to slow down, disconnect from the noise, and simply be present.
More than anything, it reminded me that rest isn’t a luxury - it’s necessary. I came away feeling refreshed, grounded, and with a renewed perspective on life. Big Sky Bravery gave me the opportunity to hit the reset button, take a breath, and return to life with a little more clarity and gratitude.
I’m incredibly grateful for the experience and for the people who make Big Sky Bravery such a meaningful place to pause, reset, and recharge.”
-TF189 Recipient
“My time with Big Sky Bravery is something I’ll always appreciate. From the start, I felt welcomed, and it was the first time in a long time that I was able to step away from everyday life and enjoy being outdoors with other like-minded freedom fighters.
What stood out the most to me was the people. Being around other veterans, especially from the SOF community, made it feel easy and natural in a way that’s hard to explain. There’s just an understanding there without needing to say much. The staff and volunteers also genuinely cared, and you could feel that in how everything was put together. Additionally, I was truly blown away by the people of Big Sky, Montana. It is a community that absolutely appreciates the sacrifices the individuals in SOF give to this country.
The experience never felt forced, just a good chance to connect, relax, and spend time with people who get it. I am really grateful to have been given the chance to participate and would definitely recommend it to others who have earned this experience.”
-TF189 Recipient
