Special Operations Association of America

SOF Photo of the Week U.S. Marine Corps helicopter rope suspension techniques masters with 1st Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), supervise a Marine as he descends during a fast-rope drill at a rappel tower in Area 41 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 17, 2018. MARSOC originated at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in 2006 as a service component of U.S. Special Operations Command. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kerstin Roberts) #specialoperations #specialoperationsforces

SOF is always evolving. While more than two decades of counterterrorism was the primary focus, the notion that #specialoperationsforces that is finding its way in great power competition is flawed - SOF never took their eye off nefarious state actors like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. In a recent congressional hearing, SOF leaders outlined their strategies on how SOF will tackle the complex geopolitical landscape. As threats expand, collaboration between the military, private sector, and allies will be critical. Read our Executive Director's summary and insights: https://lnkd.in/gxFpfnmQ.? David Cook

It was amazing to see so many people come out and support women in Special Operations this weekend at Lost Rhino Brewing Company. Thank you to everyone for supporting the Jax Act and all women in SOF! Special thanks to Congressman Suhas Subramanyam for coming by to show support and to Lost Rhino for hosting us this weekend and for making a financial donation to support our efforts. #specialoperationsforces #specialoperations #jaxact David Cook ?? Jax S.

A true embodiment of the American Dream, SOF Veteran, Hung Cao, has been nominated by President Trump for the role of Under Secretary of the Navy. From his journey as a refugee to his distinguished career as a Navy diver and leader in national security, Cao has dedicated his life to serving this country. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gsf2Esmd His deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia, along with his positions within the Pentagon, Homeland Security, and the FBI, make him an outstanding choice to help lead our Navy into the future. We wish Hung Cao great success in this new mission! #leadership #navy #specialoperationsforces #veterans

The partnership between members of Congress and the Special Operations community is important. We deeply appreciate the ongoing support from congressional members and their dedicated staff, who consistently advocate for and stand by the SOF community. Last night, we hosted a reception for Congress members and their staff to welcome them in for the 119th Congress. Check out the full gallery: https://lnkd.in/gG4XwPti Thank you to our partners Moral Compass Federation. David Cook, Timothy T., Leslie Shedd?

Publicly Available Information (PAI) and Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) are growing intelligence disciplines that directly support Special Operations Forces (SOF). As SOF continues to play a critical role in competition, public information and finished intelligence products will shape operations in ways that weren't possible just five years ago. There is another role for SOF Veterans to play. Having spent more than 20 years conducting counter-terrorism, a wave of GWOT Veterans are entering the private sector, bringing with them knowledge and skills learned on the battlefield. Governments shrink and priorities shift, but competing against adversaries will remain a duty to those who gave their best years to the military. The private sector and groups like us will have a bigger role to play in identifying and illuminating foreign subversion—OSINT is just one method that straddles the private and public sectors where the civilian-military relationship is on full display. Our Executive Director, David Cook, and Board of Advisors member, Andrew Borene, attended and participated in the SANS Institute OSINT Summit to help elevate the intelligence discipline as former practitioners and current leaders in the private sector. #OSINT #opensourceintelligence #specialoperationsforces

SOF Photo of the Week A U.S. Navy SEAL with Naval Special Warfare Group 1 fast ropes from an Army MH-47 Chinook helicopter onto the aft deck of the fast combat support ship ROKS Hwacheon (AOE 59) March 20, 2012, in Jinhae Harbor, South Korea, during Foal Eagle 2012. Foal Eagle is a combined U.S.-South Korea field training exercise held annually in South Korea to ensure the operational readiness of air, space and cyberspace operations in the Korean theater of operations. (DoD photo by Sgt. Aaron Rognstad, U.S. Army/Released) #specialoperations #specialoperationsforces

THIS SATURDAY!!! Come support Women in SOF! Join us any time between 11:30am and 10:00pm at Lost Rhino Brewing Company. You'll enjoy great craft beer, live music, SOAA meet and greets and VIPs, and more, all while showing your support for women in #SpecialOperations! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gsBxYgVG #LostRhino #JaxAct ?? Jax S.

Despite making up over 20% of the President’s Daily Brief, Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) receives less than 0.5% of the intelligence budget. That’s changing. The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence just formed a subcommittee focused on OSINT—a crucial move as publicly available data plays a growing role in national security. Read more: https://soaa.org/osint/ From satellite imagery to dark web data, #OSINT is accessible to anyone with an internet connection, which presents both opportunities and threats. As the private sector continues to develop cutting-edge tools, partnerships will be key in staying ahead of adversaries. David Cook

URGENT Need! Over the years, we have answered the call to rescue Americans, their families, and our allies from dangerous situations. Today, two of our own need your help. These brave individuals were instrumental in evacuating Americans from Gaza—including the mother of a U.S. soldier trapped behind Hamas lines. Now, their lives are at risk, and we must act immediately to bring them to safety. Time is critical. Donate NOW to help save them: https://lnkd.in/g9C7unSQ