We advocate for all past, present, and future members of the Special Operations community and their families. Join us!
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Joined January 2010
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The freedoms Americans enjoy are protected by men and women willing to do extraordinarily hard things in extraordinarily dangerous places.
SOAA met with Members of Congress to discuss key issues facing the Special Operations community so lawmakers understand the realities behind the decisions they make.
Thank you to reps @PatHarriganNC, @EliCrane_CEO, @RepMcCaul, @MLuttrellTX, @JimmyPanetta, and @repdarrellissa
soaa.org/members-of-congress…
Behind every mission is a human story that statistics can't capture. Former Navy SEAL Dan Luna emphasizes that the success of these elite units relies on the human element, not technology, which is why taking care of these individuals is so vital.
Special operations readiness depends on the people who make the mission possible behind the scenes. Medical teams, weather specialists, and aircraft maintainers give operators the support to deploy, adapt, and respond when conditions change.
During a readiness exercise near RAF Mildenhall, an Operational Support Medical Airman with the 352d Special Operations Support Squadron practices triage using the Air Force Special Operations Command’s Air Rapid Response Kit. The exercise tested that medical capability in the European theater, where it had not previously been used.
U.S. Air Force photos by Senior Airman Brandon Esau.
As the United States marks 250 years, its story is still being written. This Election Day, we encourage every American to take part in our Democracy by voting, making their voice heard and helping to shape what comes next for our nation.
Fast-rope proficiency is built in stages. Australian Defence Force personnel rehearse from 160th SOAR aircraft on land at lower altitudes before progressing to the same training aboard a ship.
That progression lets teams build coordination and confidence before adding the movement and complexity of a maritime environment. The more demanding the operation, the more important it is to make the fundamentals repeatable.
U.S. Navy video by Lt. Travis Weger
Leaving military service often brings hidden challenges that affect the whole family. Dr. Chris Frueh explains how transitioning out of the military disconnects service members from their tribe, leading to struggles with identity, sleep, and physical health that ripple into daily family life.
The work toward an objective begins long before a team reaches it. Movement, awareness, and coordination along the way shape what the team can do when it arrives.
Green Berets assigned to 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) patrol during Tahoma Strike at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, building readiness through the steps that connect preparation to action.
U.S. Army video by Sgt. John Bae.
The people carrying out the mission need a voice in the policies that shape it. That responsibility extends to veterans whose needs continue long after their service ends.
Chris Klaftenegger, CEO of Onyx Industries and a former Pararescueman, explains why SOAA’s mission motivated him to get involved. Its advocacy connects the needs of those still operating with the challenges facing those who have transitioned out.
For anyone looking to get involved with SOAA, consider signing up for membership or reach out to discuss partnership.
Combat does not adjust its demands for the person facing it. The standard has to reflect the mission, and every service member who meets it should be recognized for their ability and contribution.
Rep. Morgan Luttrell, a former Navy SEAL, speaks about the women who have served in special operations roles for decades, often without much public attention. Their presence is not new and recognizing their service is part of understanding the full strength and history of the community.
Deterrence is strongest when it is credible, visible, and shared with allies. Training together helps turn partnerships into practical capability: forces learn how one another operate and demonstrate that they can respond together.
In Klaipėda, U.S. Navy SEALs and Lithuanian special operations forces train side by side. The message reaches beyond the range. A capable alliance is built through consistent cooperation, long before a crisis tests it.
U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bill Carlisle.
Veterans are stepping forward to serve again: an estimated 752 are running for office in 2026.
Gallup and With Honor found 77% of Americans trust elected officials with military experience, including majorities across party lines.
soaa.org/veterans-running-fo…
In special operations, autonomy is earned through preparation, judgment, and accountability. The freedom to think for yourself only matters when you can be trusted to make sound decisions under pressure.
Former Acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller reflects on what drew him from the infantry toward Special Forces: the opportunity to take greater responsibility and test his limits. The distinction is not simply how much structure a unit has. It is how well people can think and act within the mission when the situation changes.
Task Force 20’s first two rehearsals ended with every participating F-14 and attack helicopter assessed as lost.
Four veterans share how they brought naval aviation and SOF together for the opening missions in Iraq.
soaa.org/task-force-20-iraq/
A coalition is only as effective as its ability to act together when the mission gets complex. Interoperability means more than sharing a training area. It means building the shared procedures and trust to connect each force’s capabilities from insertion through extraction.
During PANAMAX 2026, U.S. Army Special Forces and partner forces from Panama, Peru, and Ecuador conduct a simulated mission to capture a time-sensitive target.
That coordination is built before a crisis. Exercises like this give regional partners the experience to respond together and strengthen security across the waterways they share.
U.S. Army video by Sgt. Rachel Hall.
National Day of the Deployed is a moment to recognize those serving far from home and make sure their service and the people supporting them are seen.
In 2006, North Dakota established the Day of the Deployed after Shelle Michaels Aberle asked the governor to honor her cousin, Army Maj. David Hosna, who was serving in Iraq. Today, the observance recognizes service members deployed around the world and the families and loved ones who support them from home.
To those deployed and those standing behind them: your service and support matter, and you are seen.
Earning a place in the 160th SOAR starts with proving you can get the fundamentals right. Former U.S. Army Special Operations aviator, and current SOAA President Jack Barry reflects on joining the unit, highlighting the emphasis on nighttime flying and assessing candidates’ ability to navigate an aircraft using a map and compass.
Advanced missions demand sound judgment built on a foundation of practiced skills. The basics remain essential because the conditions only get more demanding.
Supporting service members means staying invested in their lives while they serve, through transition, and beyond. That commitment is what makes a partnership meaningful.
The CEO of HOP Munitions explains why the company partnered with SOAA: a shared belief that taking care of the military community requires sustained support across every stage of service and veteran life.
A team’s strength comes from recognizing what each person brings to the mission. SOAA's Director of Strategic Partnerships Ryan Ziegler, reflects on a female combat camera operator who became an integral part of his team, strengthening morale and documenting moments that would become part of its history.
Former CIA Chief Operating Officer Maura Burns is bringing her experience and commitment to national security to SOAA’s Board of Advisors. Her 37 years at CIA spanned weapons analysis, leadership, and recruiting national security talent.
soaa.org/maura-burns-cia/
A drive to do something difficult becomes more meaningful when it serves a purpose beyond yourself. Jack Barry, former U.S. Army Special Operations aviator, reflects on how special operations gave him a place to channel that drive through challenge, structure, and service.
The experiences pushed him, but the friendships and shared memories became irreplaceable. The challenge may draw people in. The people beside them are often what they carry with them long after.