TF193 | Crazy Mountain Ranch, MT
A note from the Task Force Director.
The volunteers and recipients of TF 193 had the good fortune to experience a brilliant week in Montana’s shoulder season at the Crazy Mountain Ranch! We were able to experience the beauty of fresh snow, crisp evenings, and warm bluebird days.
Our week began as they all do, with a group of strangers who would gradually become friends as the week unfolded. After a quick lunch and some orientation, we set out on the scenic route to CMR through Bridger Canyon and down Brackett Creek Road into Clyde Park. By the time we arrived at our home for the week, on the northeast corner of the ranch, eyes were wide and conversation had stilled as the beauty of the place started to sink in.
Throughout the course of this week we’d share exceptional meals around the large plank table, prepared by a team of CMR chefs, and hours of evening conversations around the massive stone fireplace. As all TF’s do, this one moved all of us - volunteers and recipients alike - from “Who are you and what do you do?” to “What is in the way of you becoming a better man?” pretty quickly. To a man, we left grounded, grateful and committed to a higher level of service and presence to those we hold dearest.
Some highlights of our week:
Learning the basics of flyfishing on the CMR pond
A round of sporting clays on CMR’s newly designed clays course
A full day enjoying the Four Creeks Ranch in Big Timber - touring the ranch and working on pistol drills in the shoot house.
An epic overnight hike to Rock Lake, where we caught a large pile of cutthroat trout, cooked over a campfire (with backup/emergency ribeyes deployed as dessert course) and soaked in the beauty of a night outside in crisp air at high elevation!
We’re also happy to report that the CMR had a meaningful, albeit temporary, reduction in gopher population due to some exceptional marksmanship.
These trips ground me in a way few other experiences can. The chance to walk alongside some of the finest warriors and men I’ve ever met for a week, and to leave with a shared sense of commitment and brotherhood, is one of life’s rarest gifts. To the BSB donors and supporters: please know that you’re making a meaningful difference in people’s lives every single week!
Matt Brubaker
Task Force 193 Director
Volunteers to Thank
Matt Brubaker, Task Force Director
Andrew Engle, Assistant Task Force Director
Mike Weiner
Patriots to Thank
Crazy Mountain Ranch
Four Creeks Ranch (4C), Christian Sundt, & Rob Schwarz
Austin McPherson
Stone Glacier
Welcome Bag Patriots: Alpine Dentistry, Anthem Snacks, FHF Gear, Graplrz, LMNT, Melissa Ferraro, onX Maps, River's Edge West, & Wild Society Coffee.
“The week I spent in Montana with Big Sky Bravery was an incredible one! I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect when I showed up, but it exceeded anything I could have imagined. Not only did we get to experience some of the amazing things that Montana had to offer but I met incredible people along the way! Being able to unplug and just get outside is exactly what I didn’t realize I needed. BSB provides an opportunity to do things that I wouldn’t otherwise be able to do, and I am forever grateful. The fishing, hiking, shooting, and camping were just some of the incredible memories, but above all, I got to have real conversations with guys I didn’t know but guys I shared a lot in common with. The nights spent around the campfire sharing stories, struggles, perspective, and advice were the best part. We all walked away better brothers, fathers, husbands, and men. I can’t thank BSB enough for an amazing experience!”
-TF193 Recipient
“Having the opportunity to come out and visit the beautiful state of Montana and meet the wonderful volunteers from Big Sky Bravery was unreal. I cannot put into words how much of a great week I had. It was an amazing week spent with some great people that I now call friends. From the day’s activities and the beautiful sights taking us all away from the daily grind of life as an operator, it was a good time to take a breath and appreciate the time with those great men. The questions every evening that were asked by the course lead were a really good conversation starter to allow us all to open up and share things we wouldn't normally, and it enabled us all to put it on the table early and really discuss the things we have or are struggling with.
Overall, a life-changing week that I will be forever grateful for, that I have grown a lot from and will take all those things I learned about myself forward in life, and hopefully return to Montana with my wife.”
-TF193 Recipient
“My experience with Big Sky Bravery was something I didn’t realize I needed until I was there. Going to Montana with a group of fellow Special Operations veterans gave me the rare opportunity to step away from the demands of the job, take a breath, and reconnect with the people and values that matter most. We shot guns, fished, laughed, told stories, and opened up with one another. But what happened there went far beyond those experiences. I was reminded of who I am outside of the uniform and challenged to become a better man, a better husband, and a better father. The time in Montana gave me perspective, renewed my purpose, and reignited a fire that had started to burn a little dimmer under the weight of a difficult career. I came home reenergized and better prepared to face the challenges of the job and the responsibilities of life. The facilitators were extraordinary. They were great men who led by example, created an environment of trust, and helped each of us rediscover something inside ourselves that we may have forgotten was there. They didn’t just lead a group, they helped reignite a flame in all of us. I will forever be grateful to Big Sky Bravery for reminding me that taking care of yourself, your family, and your teammates is not a weakness; it is what gives you the strength to keep going. Montana gave me more than memories. It gave me perspective, purpose, and a renewed appreciation for the life I have and the people I am fortunate enough to serve and come home to.”
-TF193 Recipient
“When I was invited to participate in Big Sky Bravery’s program, I didn’t know what to expect. I heard about multiple positive experiences, but no one really elaborated more about their individual experiences. This was by design, and it allows each person to receive what they need from the experience. I have dealt with loss of teammates and friends throughout my career. Some losses have been more difficult than others to deal with, but I have always continued to move forward. I participated in this program with an open mind. Matt Brubaker and the rest of the team pulled me out of my comfort zone. They allowed me to share experiences that I often don’t share with people. It’s difficult to place a value on this program because the benefits for me were intangible. I came home after the trip with a rejuvenated feeling, ready to be better for my family and for my unit. I appreciate everything that all people involved in this organization have provided me.”
-TF193 Recipient
