SOTF - Special Operators Transition Foundation

What sets the SOTF apart from other transition organizations? It’s our people—the dedicated professionals and elite Operators who strengthen our nation. While technology continues to advance, there's no substitute for authentic relationships. Last week, M&C Saatchi World Services NYC generously hosted a mini-workshop for our Operators transitioning to civilian careers in New York. This immersive experience provided invaluable insights into various industries, roles, and, most importantly, connections. A special thanks to Tara Heidger of M&C Saatchi World Services, Kate Quinn of JW Michaels & Co., Ulderico Calero of BNY, and Nicholas Angerame of Stonegardens Advisory for representing fields such as marketing, finance, technology consulting, and defense. Their generosity in sharing expertise and networks is sure to have a lasting impact on our Fellows' journeys, setting them up for success in the next chapter of their lives. DM us to represent your organization at one of our workshops and change the lives of our elite Operators! #TransitioningMilitary #SOTF #TransitioningSOF #SpecOps #SpecOps

This is another example of our Fellows leading at the tip of the spear. Nobody asked, they just knew what needed to be done. These are the folks you want leading your teams. Proactive vs. reactive. Reach out to us to meet your next top-tier employee!

The SOTF Team is excited to announce that Nicholas Calvi has successfully transitioned into an Executive MBA Candidate with NYU Stern School of Business.     Nick is a seasoned Special Operations leader who recently medically retired from the United States Navy after over 13 years of selfless service. A snapshot of some of Nick’s accomplishments includes:       🔱 Nick retired as a Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) with Naval Special Warfare Command - Navy SEAL & SWCC Teams. During his tenure, he served as a Combat Leader, Program Manager, Mentor, High-Risk Training Cell Lead, and Master Training Specialist.    🔱 Nick delivers analytical reinvention to bring fresh solutions to worn problems. He consumes, organizes, and synthesizes information into usable insights, then he originates efficient strategies from his creative process. Nick communicates from the “why” to enroll the team in executing the plan and installing reinvention as a continual process in the organization. 🔱 Nick holds a Master of Science in Project Management and a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership.     🔱 Nick spends much of his spare time connecting with his wife and two daughters.   🔱 “The SOTF Team provided me with introspection on the direction I truly wanted to go next after military service. For any SOF members currently transitioning, this is something most of us grapple with on a daily basis.  The SOTF staff, especially Melba, were instrumental in my path forward.  Many thanks to the entire SOTF Team.” Congratulations, Team Calvi!

"Business is a team sport...Finding the right teammates and partners is essential for creating that brighter future." Find your bright future with a SOTF Fellow by your side. Highs or lows, they will help your American business thrive. Reach out to us to find your next teammate. 👏 Wishing a heartfelt thank you to Nathan Hansen, MBA, Sean R. Callagy, and the entire UNBLINDED team of supporters for being a force multiplier in support of the SOTF. They are our ultimate teammates.

The SOTF Team is excited to announce that Rory O'Connor has successfully transitioned into a Business Development Manager with Primordial Labs. Rory is a seasoned Special Operations leader who recently retired after 21 years of selfless service. A snapshot of some of Rory’s accomplishments includes: ⚡ Rory served in the Marines before joining the Army Special Forces. He provided joint fire support to Marines, Soldiers, and Iraqi Army partners during two deployments to Iraq and a tour as a member of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). ⚡ After joining the Army and earning his Green Beret, Rory deployed across the Middle East and Central Asia, working alongside partners in Afghanistan, Jordan, Lebanon, and Tajikistan. In Syria, Rory oversaw mission planning and execution as the Operations Officer of a task force combatting the Islamic State. ⚡ Prior to retiring, Rory was a Special Operations planner and ran campaign development for joint task forces in Kuwait, Iraq, and Qatar. He also led his unit’s bilateral and multilateral agreements portfolio, penning joint agreements with allies and building special operations frameworks with Middle Eastern allies and partners. ⚡ Rory holds a Master of Science in Defense Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School. ⚡ Married to his (significantly) better half for 19 years, Rory has three beautiful daughters and two ugly dogs. ⚡ Rory’s hobbies include catching up on all the concerts he missed and falling off surfboards. He volunteers with a local SOF transition group and helps connect transitioning operators with partners in the business community to help them prepare for a new career. ⚡ “I can’t speak highly enough of the support the SOTF team gave me during my transition. The tools they provided gave me the insight I needed to understand the value I bring to an organization and determine where and how I would best perform in a new role. I appreciate the personal touch they put on all of their interactions with SOTF Fellows; the entire team goes out of their way to ensure I had what I needed to be successful.” - Rory Congratulations, team O'Connor! 

Special Operators are in a league of their own. Less than 1% of those who serve in the armed forces have the unique skill, determination, and grit to endure the rigorous selection and training processes. They are America's best leaders. . . . Contact us to meet our Operators pivoting to their next objective: optimizing your business and community. #SpecialOps #Warriors #ExcellenceInAction #FewAndProud #SOTF #SpecialOperations #SOFtransition

The SOTF Team is excited to announce that William “Matt” Gooch has successfully transitioned into a Surgical Instructor/Training Developer role with Goldbelt, Incorporated! Matt recently retired from the Army after 20 years of selfless service. A snapshot of some of Matt's accomplishments includes: 📚 Matt retired as a Senior Instructor/Course Writer for the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. During his tenure, he served as a Small Groups Leader, Company Medic, and an ODA Medical Sergeant at the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Forces Group. 👏 Matt develops leaders and brings out the best in others, inspiring them to be and do more. 🤓 Matt holds a Master of Science in Sports Science and Rehabilitation and a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Health Sciences. 👨👩👧 Matt is a dedicated husband and father of three, and frequently volunteers his time to the community. 🗣 "Working with SOTF was the best choice I could have made in transition out of the military. Their dedication to servicemembers helps to ensure the success of veterans looking to move on to a new career field. The angst and anxiety that would typically come with finishing a 20-year career were significantly mitigated by the time, dedication, and efforts of the SOTF team. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone I interacted with, as each of them had a hand in setting me up for success." - Matt Congratulations, Team Gooch on this monumental accomplishment!

This is the character of a SOTF fellow to a tee. Were proud to serve these incredibly selfless community servants who answer the call.

Won't You Be My Neighbor? by Mr. Fred Rogers "It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood, A beautiful day for a neighbor. Would you be mine? Could you be mine?" 🎥 We’re incredibly proud to spotlight SOTF alum Tommy Daniel and several current SOTF Fellows who are demonstrating the true value of character and selfless service as they answer the call to provide critical rescue efforts to Western NC communities affected by Hurricane Helene. In Special Operations, Tommy's area of expertise was constructing data systems and employing analysis to provide vital information for decision-making. Today, as a civilian, Tommy uses his talents for the greater good through Operation Helo. Tommy and the SOTF Fellows' dedication illustrates that the same attributes that made them exceptional in uniform—resilience, innovation, and integrity—are making a lasting impact in local communities. Wouldn't you want them to be your neighbors? 🇺🇸 Support their incredible efforts at www.operationhelo.org #LeadershipMadeInAmerica #Veterans #SOTF #MakingADifference #CommunityFirst #HurricaneHelene #SOTFTransition #SpecialOperations https://lnkd.in/eiq-8p34

“Irene” In honor of those 18 Americans and 1 Malaysian who gave their lives in the defense of the Somali People during Operation Gothic Serpent. This photo is the crew of Super 64 a month before the Battle of Mogadishu. From left: Winn Mahuron, Tommy Field, Bill Cleveland, Ray Frank and Mike Durant. (Photo by former U.S. Army Ranger Phil Lepre while on duty during Operation Restore Hope, September 1993) We will never forget 🇺🇸