Winning tomorrow’s wars demands rare-earth independence today.
From hypersonic weapons to AI-powered logistics, modern defense runs on elements we scarcely mine at home. China currently supplies the bulk of the world’s rare-earth minerals (REMs), key ingredients in fighters, drones, and precision munitions. Today, the United States remains nearly 100 percent import-reliant on a dozen such REMs. Closing that gap is a strategic imperative, and why we’re thrilled to welcome Eric Muschinski to SOAA’s Board of Advisors.
A Capital-Markets Veteran Focused on Strategic Metals
Eric earned his brokerage license at 20 and has spent three decades financing high-impact ventures across the metals and mining space. As founder of Gold Investment Letter, Elite Investments, and Phenom Crypto Letter, he communicates with more than 90,000 sophisticated investors, channeling capital toward projects that strengthen U.S. mineral autonomy. Eric is also the largest share shareholder of Phenom Resources which controls North America’s largest and highest-grade primary vanadium deposit in Carlin, Nevada.
Why Critical Minerals Matter Now
- Antimony underpins everything from the armor of Main Battle Tanks to semiconductor flame retardants; the Pentagon classifies it as a Tier-1 “military metal,” yet America imports 100 % of what it uses.
- Vanadium redox flow batteries provide grid-scale storage that keeps radar stations and missile defenses powered when the grid goes dark; the market is set to grow 20 % annually through 2030.
- A single F-35 requires more than 400 kg of rare-earth elements, while China’s April 2025 export licenses tightened the noose on downstream products like permanent magnets.
The Department of Energy’s “Electric Eighteen” list warns that failing to onshore these inputs compromises both energy security and combat readiness. Eric’s market insight and his ability to mobilize private capital directly support SOAA’s mission to “elevate ground truth into national-security policy.”
“America can’t outsource the raw ingredients of freedom. We must mine, refine, and secure them on U.S. soil—now.” Eric Muschinski, incoming SOAA Advisor
The SOAA Connection
Our Special Operations veterans have seen supply-chain shortfalls turn battlefields brittle. Eric’s expertise equips us with the economic firepower to advocate policies that unlock domestic production, streamline permitting, and incentivize defense-grade refining. Together we’ll push initiatives such as:
- Fast-tracking critical-mineral projects on federal lands.
- Expanding DPA Title III funds to battery-metal startups.
- Creating “mine-to-magnet” corridors adjacent to strategic ports.
“Eric blends Wall Street rigor with patriotic urgency, exactly what SOAA needs to safeguard America’s strategic depth.” Said Daniel Elkins, SOAA Founder,
Join the Mission
America’s adversaries are stockpiling minerals faster than we’re debating them. Stay in the fight and subscribe to SOAA’s newsletter, share this announcement, and help us fortify the supply chains that keep warfighters lethal and free.
