TF190 | Big Sky, MT
A note from the Task Force Director.
BSB Friends, Family and Supporters,
Thank you to all of the hard-working, dedicated, passionate, selfless, and generous individuals behind the scenes, both in the office, at our fundraisers, and in our community, who make these weeklong Task Forces possible. You may never know the true effects of your efforts, but I can tell you firsthand they are life-changing.
TF-190 kicked off our first full day with an overnight float down the Yellowstone River where we were reminded that Mother Nature can be unforgiving. Setting up tents during a windstorm in the sand can be a challenge… but then the clouds parted over our island refuge, and we spent the rest of the evening in comfort, watching lightning, thunder, and rain hammer down the valley around us. We shared stories around the fire, dined on steaks, homemade pie, and ice cream as we laid the foundation for what would be an unforgettable week.
Once off the river, after a beautiful sunny day of fishing and soaking in the sun and the views, we headed back to Big Sky for the remainder of the week. After some hot showers and a good night's rest, we were up early the next day and ready for a day of ATV’s and hiking with Ed and the crew from Canyon Adventures. Something about being in the mountains, which we had only glanced at from a distance the day prior, seemed to humble and recharge us all at the same time. Returning from the 30+ mile track, dusty-smiled and drained of adrenaline, we saddled up for a delicious fan-favorite meal at the Horn and Cantle.
The last day, we decided to go with the kitchen-sink approach and throw as many activities on the schedule as we could. We started with an early-morning fishing session on the Gallatin and watched the sun rise from the bank. The fish had other plans and decided to sleep in that morning, but se la vie. After a good skunking, we headed out to Moonlight Basin for some Sporting Clays action and some friendly competition. After lunch, we hit the links and played a round of golf, which, for one gentleman in our crew, was a favorite hobby. What an incredible Montana summer day to wrap up the week.
The real magic of the week, however, didn’t take place on the water, or driving a side-by-side, or swinging a club or blasting a clay pigeon. It happened in the spaces between. Great musicians say that music is made in the space between the notes. For a Task Force, it's no different. The guard that is dropped, the weight that is lifted, the words that have never been shared before, the memories that are allowed to fade, the fears that subside, the hope that is restored, all from sharing experiences together as brothers or sisters in a beautiful place like Montana.
Special thanks to my incredible team, Steel, Riley, and Marcus. Thanks for another unforgettable week.
Blake Dobson
TF190 Director
Volunteers to thank
Blake Dobson, Task Force Director
Steel Shaw, Assistant Task Force Director
Riley Slaughter
Patriots to thank
Ascend Properties
Canyon Adventures
Eastslope Outdoors
Lone Mountain Ranch
Moonlight Sporting Clays
Stone Glacier
Welcome Bag Patriots: Alpine Dentistry, Anthem Snacks, FHF Gear, Graplrz, LMNT, Melissa Ferraro, onX Maps, River's Edge West, & Wild Society Coffee.
“For the past six years, I’ve been going nonstop through constant deployments and trainings, rarely having the opportunity to truly step away and reset. This experience gave me something I didn’t realize how much I needed: the time and space to slow down, reflect, grow, and simply be present again.
For the first time in a long while, I felt like I was truly home—not living in the “deployed” mindset that had become so difficult to step away from. That sense of peace and normalcy was incredibly meaningful, and it gave me the opportunity to reconnect with myself in a way I hadn’t been able to for a long time.
Because of this support, I’m returning refreshed, inspired, and carrying memories that I’ll cherish for years to come. More than just a trip, this experience gave me the chance to pause, breathe, and reset—and that has had a lasting impact on me.
This experience gave me the opportunity to step away from the constant demands of life, regain perspective, and return feeling renewed. This week is something I will carry with me long after the trip ended.”
-TF190 Recipient
“We are trained to put one foot in front of the other. One day after the next. One year after the next. One deployment after the next. One pound after the next. When you never take the chance to look back, you do not realize that eventually you have walked really far, and are somehow carrying much more than when you started.
I arrived in Montana realizing the experiences and stress, or weight, I carried had totally reduced my ability to perform my best at the unit, and more importantly, at home. The week at Big Sky Bravery gave me the chance to take a deep breath and reflect on the road behind, and to prepare for the road ahead. It was unequivocally more effective at resetting and decompressing my combat past than anything the service could have provided alone.
To all the volunteers, donors, and everyone involved - thank you.”
-TF190 Recipient
"First and foremost, I can't thank Blake, Reily, Steel, BSB, and all the donors enough for the opportunity to get away from work and be reminded of how amazing our nation is (the views and the people!).
I've been in SOF for 8 years at this point, I've been on several vacations....but none have compared to the week with BSB in Montana. The way the team took care of everything, put thought into our activities, and were just there with us listening/talking/living. People caring for people and bro-ing out in the outdoors made the trip the huge breath of fresh air after seemingly holding it for years.
It truly was an experience that I will carry with me throughout my life and is a high water mark of my 35 years!"
-TF190 Recipient
