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
Announcing Partnership and Event with OSINT Foundation
We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with the OSINT Foundation. OSINT proudly promotes open-source intelligence tradecraft, elevates the discipline, and develops the practitioner
Jax Act Introduced in Congress: Recognition for Women Combat Veterans
On Thursday, 23 March 2023, a historic step was taken to honor and recognize women combat veterans from Cultural Support Teams (CST). We are proud
Fight for Women Combat Veterans
It may surprise you that in 2023 women combat veterans are routinely denied care by the VA. Their service is dismissed like it never happened.
We Are Abandoning the Women of Special Operations
Female operators face devastating double standards – experiencing disparate treatment by Veterans Affairs (VA) and routinely being denied disability ratings and critical treatment. I’m Jaclyn
Ukraine: One Year Post-Russian Invasion
On 2 Feb, we held a critical conversation focused on the current state of the conflict in Ukraine as we near the one-year anniversary of
SOAA Supports Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret
We are honored to support Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret. Last Out is a gripping play based upon the real-life experiences of writer,
Check Out Our 2022 Annual Report
It’s been another incredible year at SOAA, and it’s all thanks to the generous support from people like you! Check out our 2022 Annual Report;
Daniel Elkins on Philadelphia’s AM 990 Morning Answer
Did you catch our founder, Daniel Elkins, on Philadelphia’s AM 990 Morning Answer with guest host Christine Flowers? If you missed it, you can listen
Daniel Elkins on WBT with Tony Marino
Our founder, Daniel Elkins, went on Charlotte’s WBT with Tony Marino. You can listen to the full interview here: Afghan National Army Special Operations
Our Founder Speaks With CNN: Save Our Afghan Ally!
The Special Operations Association of America is joined by a coalition of Veterans Service Organizations in calling on the White House to intercede on behalf
Proposed Changes to 85/15 Rule Will Harm Our Veterans
Our Veterans face a steep climb when reentering civilian life. For those hoping to use their GI Bill benefits towards a postsecondary degree, their journey
The “PACT” Caucus and the Future of Mental Health Treatments
November 17th will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the history of Veteran suicide prevention. Representatives Jack Bergman (R-MI) and Lou Correa (D-CA) came
