As the only organization that engages in policy and legislation advocacy on behalf of the men and women in the Special Operations community, SOAA is committed to identifying solutions and making recommendations that best serve Special Operation Forces on and off the battlefield.
Here’s a snapshot of some of the issues we’re currently working on. Join us, as we fight for you!
Recent studies show what we already suspected: That the rate of suicide is higher among our community than that of the civilian population and even that of the rest of the military with TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) being major contributing factors.
Learn about these new findings and what we are doing to help!
Afghan and Iraqi translators and their families are being targeted and killed due to the inefficiency of the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. There is a backlog of about 19,000 Afghan translators and others who helped U.S. forces. Not protecting those that risked their lives for us would not only dishonor their sacrifices but also who we are as a nation.
Learn more about this critical issue!
For far too long, members of the military have been negatively impacted by burn pits, and it’s time to take action for the victims exposed to toxic exposure.
Register yourself and your SOF community in the Burn Pit Registry if you suspect you have ever been exposed to toxic chemicals from burn pits, even if it was just once. Early identification and monitoring could save your life and the lives of your brothers in arms.
It’s not always easy to get the benefits you deserve and it’s even harder for us operators to prove eligibility when many missions are classified in nature. We’re fighting to make sure that the SOF community gets what they have earned.
We’re demanding that the Department of Defense (DoD) make proving eligibility for Veteran’s benefits simple and straight forward for all members of SOCOM across all components.
As past and current Servicemembers ourselves, we know that decisions and policies out of Washington impact the Operator on the ground. We’re working to help educate politicians on how to make policies that free up SOF to do our best work.
Learn more about how Rules of Engagement effect troops in Afghanistan!
From the blog
Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret – Our Review
Raw. Visceral. I laughed. I mostly cried. All words and sentiments I would use to describe Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret, written and
Veterans Have Earned the Right to Choose
They have fought and bled for us, but upon their return home, they’re rewarded with adversarial VA processes that make it difficult and frustrating to
Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Settlement: An Insult to Veterans and Their Families
In a move that has left Camp Lejeune Veterans and their families deeply disappointed, the Department of the Navy, in collaboration with the Department of
The Education of a Soldier
On August 15th, 2021, I walked into the Rayburn House Office Building for my first day of work – my first job after a decade
PLUS for Veterans Act Gains Steam
Since we submitted our letter of support for the Preserving Lawful Utilization of Services for Veterans Act (PLUS for Veterans Act of 2023) to Representatives
Don’t Let Recent Events in Russia Fool You
Our founder, Daniel Elkins, wrote a piece that was featured in Newsmax World. In the opinion piece, Daniel urges us not to misread recent events
44 Veteran Suicides a Day – What We’re Doing isn’t Working, Alternative Treatments are Needed!
A recent report conducted by a veteran non-profit suggests veteran suicides are underreported by more than half – from an already unacceptable 17, to 44
Webinar Series: Interlinkages and Partnerships for Security
No single government, research organization, or think-tank can address security-pressing issues in isolation. To this end, we are hosting the American Counterterrorism Targeting and Resilience
Jax Act Introduced in the Senate
Women combat Veterans from Cultural Support Teams (CST) are one step closer to receiving the recognition and care they have more than earned. The Jax
Terror Groups Engulf Afghanistan
Afghanistan is more dangerous today than it was in September 2001. The disastrous Doha agreement of 2020 and the catastrophic withdrawal of US and NATO
Preserving Lawful Utilization of Services for Veterans Act (PLUS Act)
Veterans deserve to retain their right to use third-party consultation as they navigate the complexities involved in securing disability benefits. The VA benefit process is
US Government Delays Justice for Camp Lejeune Veterans
After 35 years of fighting a seemingly impossible battle, Marine Veterans and their families, who have suffered with numerous cancers, neurological diseases, and even miscarriages