Welcome to the May edition of the Monthly Newsletter!
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Welcome to the May edition of the Monthly Newsletter! As we transition into the warmer months, we're thrilled to bring you the latest updates, insights, and stories from the world of Special Operations. From commemorating our fallen heroes to highlighting critical issues for the SOF Community, this newsletter is your window into the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of Special Operations.
Ruck the Mall
We hope you'll join and support us as we host our Ruck the Mall event on May 26th at the Washington Monument in DC. We will be walking from the Monument to the Capitol and back while carrying our rucksacks to commemorate the millions of Servicemembers who have lost their lives in combat. In conjunction, we're launching a new partnership with Onward Ops, an incredible organization that provides Veteran mentors to Servicemembers as they transition from active duty.
Army Weighs Cuts to the Tuition Assistance Program
The Army is looking to cut every dollar they can – including the Tuition Assistance Program, a program vital to higher education for more than 100,000 soldiers last year and a key incentive for recruitment and retention. Tuition Assistance Program is a meager 0.15% of the Army’s proposed $185.9 billion fiscal year 2025 budget. Members of SOAA have personally benefited from the program, and we will be vigorously advocating against the TA Program cuts.
Wall Street Journal: For Military Vets, Private Security Is a Lucrative Second Act. It Can Also Be Deadly.
On April 1st, Israel mistook a convoy of aid workers for a military target, killing seven aid workers in a drone strike, three of whom were former British Special Boat Service members. SOAA mourns the loss of the aid workers not only for their tremendous service to those in need, but the former Special Operators that translated their skills learned in the training grounds and battlefield to help. SOAA has made several trips overseas in the last three years, beginning with Afghanistan, and most recently Israel, and understand the risk these heroes took to aid others. Each of the fallen will be in our thoughts and prayers.
War on the Rocks: Great Power Competition Will Drive Irregular Conflicts
Jacob Shapiro and Liam Collins make stark comparisons of Irregular Warfare in the Cold War and today. There is no doubt Irregular Wars fought today will fuel great power, state-sponsored conflict tomorrow. The United States is not investing enough time or money into preparing our warfighters. Instead, massive amounts of resources are allocated for conventional wars, when the allocation should be proportional to history. From the article:
“One way to see how much worse wars with two great powers involved can be is to notice that while the 26 conflicts with two or more great powers supporting combatants represent less than one quarter of irregular conflicts active from 1975 to 1991, they caused 64 to 70 percent of the battle deaths during this period. Exceptionally violent conflicts happened around the world, from Afghanistan and Ethiopia to Cambodia and El Salvador. But all shared some common traits: they lasted for more than a decade, one great power supported the government and one supported at least one rebel faction (often more), and most settled shortly after the end of the Cold War when support to at least one side dried up. What this all implies is that in a world with competing great powers we should expect there to be multiple extended, brutal conflicts for which irregular warfare competency will be critical.”
This is not a case for either/or, but both. Irregular Warfare, conducted by Special Operators and members of the Intelligence Community are relatively cheaper than arming for conventional, large-scale combat operations.
We are pleased to report Congress heard our call and passed the National Security Bill which will provide critical aid to Ukraine.Our letter to Congress highlighted the crucial role of allied support in Ukraine's resistance against Russian aggression. The letter provided the Ground Truth from Lito Villanueva, our donor-supportedboots-on-the-ground. Litohas been delivering SOAA-purchased non-lethalequipment and supplies to the Ukranian forces on the front lines, as well as assisting in life-saving training of Ukranian Special Forces. He reported that our European allies have been supplying significant amounts of high-quality equipment and supplies to Ukraine's efforts. We are encouraged to hear of the West’s support against Putin’s attacks and that is why it is so important that the US stands with Europe in Solidarity and leads the world to peace and security.
Everyone can have an impact. Donate to to help support members of the Special Operations community and their families!
What We’re Reading And Listening To:
Former Navy SEAL and CIA Contractor, Shawn Ryan, conducted an eye-opening interview with Legend (identity concealed), a former US Army Intel NCO. In it, Legend reveals the administration continues to send taxpayer dollars to the Taliban - to the tune of $40 million every week!