Serving Special Operations Veterans
RECONNECTING WARRIORS
RESTORING PURPOSE
The Challenge
MENTAL HEALTH AMONGST VETERANS
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, particularly those from Special Operations communities, experience mental health challenges at significantly higher rates than the general population. Conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders are alarmingly common. Approximately 41% of veterans have a potential need for mental health care, and 25% meet the criteria for at least one mental health condition, with 11% facing multiple conditions simultaneously.
PTSD in military veterans often stems from traumatic experiences that are uniquely tied to their service. These can include:
- Exposure to combat and life-threatening situations, such as IEDs and roadside bombs
- Repeated deployments and the cumulative stress of multiple tours
- Serious accidents and injuries
- Encounters with natural disasters or terrorist attacks
Despite the prevalence of these conditions, more than half of all veterans with a mental illness do not receive treatment in a given year. This treatment gap is often due to social barriers, stigma, and a lack of understanding within civilian healthcare systems. Left unaddressed, these challenges can lead to devastating outcomes, including chronic health problems, substance abuse, isolation, and suicide.
The Consequence
LIFE AFTER SERVICE WITHOUT SUPPORT
For many Special Operations veterans, transitioning to civilian life is not just difficult — it can be disorienting. While family and friends may be supportive, few fully understand the high-intensity environment of Special Operations service. Veterans may find it hard to relate to civilian social norms, and the loss of team-based structure and shared purpose often leads to feelings of isolation or disconnection.
This disconnection is compounded by what has become known as Operator Syndrome, a condition describing the unique set of psychological and physiological challenges faced by Special Operators. Without meaningful support and connection to others who have shared similar experiences, these challenges can escalate, putting veterans at increased risk for depression, substance use, or even suicide.
The Solution
SPECIAL OPERATIONS ADVENTURE FOUNDATION
The Special Operations Adventure Foundation (SOAF) exists to bridge this gap by creating environments where Special Operations veterans can reconnect, recharge, and re-engage with their community.
Our mission is to provide interactive, social, and recreational experiences specifically tailored for United States Special Operations veterans. Through retreats and adventures that are both mentally and physically engaging, we offer veterans the chance to reunite with their former teammates — rekindling the camaraderie, excitement, and shared purpose they experienced during service.
These events are not just recreational; they are therapeutic. They address the invisible wounds of war by restoring social bonds and creating a supportive space for healing. SOAF understands the importance of gathering Special Operators together — not just to relive the past, but to build a healthier future.
The foundation was born from personal experience. After leaving service, our founders faced the very same struggles and realized the critical need for connection and purpose. What began as a search for their own healing has become a mission to serve others who walked the same path.
We proudly serve veterans from any branch of the U.S. military’s Special Operations Command (SOCOM), including both male and female service members. Our work is rooted in the belief that healing comes through shared experience — and that no one should have to navigate the transition to civilian life alone.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
Interested in becoming a sponsor? We’d love to hear from you!