SOAA - Special Operations Association of America

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-con…

17.6 veterans die by suicide daily (2024), up from 16.5 in 2001. Congress directed VA to use AI for prevention. VA uses REACH VET to identify highest-risk veterans, but it faces bias concerns. SOAA's Ryan Ziegler: "AI does not have compassion." It can help, but can't replace human care. soaa.org/ai-veteran-car…

Tennessee's SB 2040 would force mail-order pharmacy divestiture and put TRICARE access at risk for 440,000 veterans in the state. Arkansas passed the same law last year. Federal courts blocked it. Tennessee is about to repeat the mistake. Veterans shouldn't pay that price twice.

180 days could change a life. Now the military is cutting SkillBridge to 60-120 days based on rank. Marine Corps said it cost 3,400 years of manpower. Reality: less than 0.5% of total availability. SOAA supports restoring full 180 days for all service members. Transition readiness IS force readiness. soaa.org/skillbridge-ac…

More active wars than any time since WWII. 239M need aid. 617 aid workers killed/wounded in 9 months. Senior U.S. source: terrorists steal aid, exacerbates conflicts. SOAA board member Parnell: SFAB/ODA teams could address conflict drivers in countries with U.S. national security interests. soaa.org/irc-new-world-…

Nearly 35,000 veterans and military families joined SOAA this week to oppose Tennessee legislation that would shutter pharmacies and disrupt prescription access for those who depend on TRICARE. Veterans deserve reliable access to their medications. HB 1959 and SB 2040 put that at risk. Contact your state representative before this moves forward. soaa.org/veterans-pay-t…

Iran's reach inside U.S. borders is wider than most Americans realize and federal authorities say the risks at home are growing. SOAA has rounded up what you need to know about potential domestic threats following Operation Epic Fury in the blog. soaa.org/oef-risk-of-do…

Happy Birthday to the Navy Seabees! "Can Do" isn't just a motto, it's a promise you've kept in every combat zone since 1942. Thank you for building, fighting, and serving with unmatched skill and courage. U.S. Navy photo by CPO Justin Stumberg

The strikes on Iran may have just complicated life for Moscow, Beijing, and Pyongyang too. We break down what Operation Epic Fury means for the broader network that has kept the Islamic Republic armed and funded. soaa.org/operation-epic…

Happy Birthday to the Navy Reserve! For over a century, you've stood ready to answer the call, bridging civilian life and naval service with dedication and professionalism. Thank you for your commitment to our nation's defense. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Alyssa Joy

This may look like checkers, but it’s more likely a long-planned chess move designed to weaken our peer adversaries.

The ripple effects extend far beyond Tehran. Russia’s reliance on Iranian drone technology, China’s heavy dependence on Iranian oil, and the network of proxy groups such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Hamas all stand to feel the shockwaves. Disruption in Iran also threatens key ties for North Korea, one of Tehran’s major missile technology partners.

We're examining Operation Epic Fury through a realist lens- a precision campaign that has effectively decapitated Iran’s military and ideological leadership while keeping U.S. casualties low, with the tragic exception of four service members lost to Iranian retaliation. Beyond targeting regime elites, this operation could reshape the region’s balance of power and weaken America’s peer and near-peer adversaries.

Looking for 1-2 Veterans in the Knoxville, Tennessee area to be interviewed by SOAA on March 5th

U.S. Naval Special Warfare operators and Royal Thai Naval Special Warfare Command members conduct nighttime over-the-beach training near Sattahip, Rayong province, Thailand, March 6, 2025, during Exercise Cobra Gold. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Alex Perlman)

A 27-year-old Navy pilot took on six Soviet MiG-15s alone over Korea and wasn't allowed to talk about it for 50 years. On February 24, at 100-year-old Capt. E. Royce Williams finally received the Medal of Honor he earned in 1952. The full story is extraordinary. soaa.org/royce-williams…

We're exporting critical defense minerals for processing, then buying them back. The U.S. lists 60 critical minerals essential for defense. We send them abroad from recycled electronics because we lack domestic processing. China controls 80% of DRC cobalt. Solution: Build domestic recycling/refining capabilities. soaa.org/americas-criti…

$26 billion wasted from $144.7 billion spent on Afghanistan reconstruction. U.S. left $7.1 billion in equipment. Taliban now uses it. American weapons sold in Kandahar markets, reportedly reached Gaza, al Qaeda, possibly Iran. Afghanistan veterans who fought tactical victories face moral injury. soaa.org/sigars-verdict…

A Marine Raider with Marine Forces Special Operations Command navigates a single rope bridge during a jungle mobility course. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Henry Rodriguez)