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SFACON 2023 – Indianapolis
“High-Speed Low Drag”

SFA Convention
+ May 22-26, 2023 +

2023 Indianapolis 500 Presented by Gainbridge

Attendees:

At this time, the SFACON 2023 online registration has closed as we begin getting ready to welcome you all in Indy starting on May 22. If you have any questions regarding your existing registration, please contact Armed Forces Reunions at 757-625-6401. If you are still interested in attending, you may register on-site starting at 2pm on Monday, May 22. Thank you and we will look forward to seeing in Indy!

Clarification on the registration page.
Registration fee $150 includes.

ALL EVENTS/Speakers AT THE HOTEL are included in the Registration FEE.
**UPDATE May 26th – transportation to and from Carb/Day entrance fee and a $25 meal voucher is now part of registration fee. (Refunds will be given to all that have already paid for May 26th)

We only broke out the Meals for each day… that must be paid for separately.
You can still attend ALL events even if you do not buy the hotel meals!
But please realize there is nothing to eat around the hotel except a restaurant inside the hotel.
(Only exception is the Banquet on Thursday you must buy this meal to attend the Banquet)

  • May 23 – Tuesday (Hotel)
    • Continental Breakfast – Included with registration.
    • ALL Speakers for the day and evening – Included with registration.
    • Lunch Speaker – Included with registration.
      • Lunch Buffet meal
        1. (Optional -please select it if you want it $20)
    • Comedian Show attendance only – Included with registration.
      • Dinner during show
        1. (Optional -please select it if you want it $60)
  • May 24 – Wednesday (Hotel)
    • Continental Breakfast – Included with registration.
    • ALL Speakers for the day and evening– Included with registration.
    • Lunch speaker attendance only – Included with registration.
      • Lunch Buffet
        1. (Optional -please select it if you want it $20)
    • VIP reception attendance only – Included with registration.
      • Dinner Buffet meal
        1. (Optional -please select it if you want it $45)
  •  May 25th Thursday (Hotel)
    • Continental Breakfast – Included with registration.
    • ALL Speakers for the day and evening– Included with registration.
    • Lunch speaker attendance only – Included with registration.
        • Lunch Buffet meal
          1. (Optional -please select it if you want it $20)
    • Banquet – MUST SELECT and PAY FOR IT $50
  • May 26th Carb/Day at the Indy 500 Track
    • Continental Breakfast – Included with registration.
    • Bus to and from Carb/Day – Included with registration.
    • Admission to Carb/Day – Included with registration.
    • $25 meal voucher! Eat on your own– Included with registration.
      • No organized Picnic (Building Canceled)

** IF you Register and buy only Opening night and Banquet Meal plans total cost is only $260.

** IF you Register and buy all meal plans for every day total cost is $365. (Best option)

*** Last year’s convention cost was $259 after Aug 2022 and did not include meals for lunch and dinner every day.

The cost is equivalent to last year with many FREE included perks with the Indy 500 Track before and after the event.
You must select the additional FREE 500 events to get in free we have to give them a count for each day in order to get them.

Countdown

SFACON2023 promises to be fast-paced and jam-packed full of fun, learning, and excitement. While honoring our brothers killed in action over the decades.

Please help us reach our financial goals to help us put on this great event.
Donate today and share this donation link page with those you feel would love to contribute but can not make it.

We promise this event will be unlike anything you have experienced before and have our eyes looking forward to the bright future of the Special Forces Association.

We hope to bring the Green Berets of Past and Present together to strengthen their communities and work towards the same goals!

Please book your rooms today to ensure you have a place to stay – things will get packed this week- so get your rooms early.

For those that come and stay during the week of the convention, we have a LIMITED number of rooms available for Saturday and Sunday. They are half of the normal race weekend prices – you will not find them anywhere else. These will be for special guests and those participating in our parade and race extras.

Carb Day / Picnic / Party day (May 26)
For all you SNAKE eaters out there it will be
Tons of fun with live music – in the SNAKE PIT!

Vendors

We’re looking for more vendors, partners, and supporters for this event! Are you a part of an organization or business that wants to associate with and support the Quiet Professionals from the Special Forces? Please see our vendor application attached:

Link to Vendor document

Become A Sponsor?

The Special Forces Association Convention  2023 is a five-day national event to be held in Indianapolis, IN, from May 22-26 (Monday-Friday). This annual gathering of approximately 700 Green Berets celebrates the U.S. Army Special Forces (SF) seven decades of service to our nation. The event features:

Past, Present, and Future of the Green Berets both on and off the field of battle

  • Auctions,

  • civilian outreach,

  • Video archive of stories of our members,

…and the iconic Indy 500 Racetrack, including pre-and post-activities. SFACON 2023 concludes with a Regimental Banquet to honor the Green Berets’ past, present, and future. We’ll finally close out the party with our annual picnic at the Indy 500 Carb Day!

Link to Sponsorship document

Our Sponsors

Hotel Reservations

Wyndham Indianapolis West

Wyndham Indianapolis West

2544 Executive Drive,
Indianapolis, IN, 46241
317-248-2481

Note: Please stay and book in the hotel until it is full before trying to go anywhere else. We block a certain number of rooms and are on the hook for filling them. If we do not fill them we will be required to pay for them.

Room Rates: $149 +taxes a night 

For reservations checking in 05/20/2023 and checking out 05/27/2023, please use this link:

https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/wyndham/indianapolis-indiana/wyndham-indianapolis-west/rooms-rates?&checkInDate=05/20/2023&checkOutDate=05/27/2023&groupCode=052023SPE_001

Room Rates: $209 +taxes a night VERY LIMITED Race weekend

Only a few rooms are ½ off what they normally charge for Indy 500 Race weekend when they sold out at this rate you will have to move hotels.  Other hotels and options are available but will be outside the Indianapolis city limits at better prices.  We will have more options once ours fill up.

For reservations checking in 05/27/2023 checking out on 05/29/2023, please use this link: 

https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/wyndham/indianapolis-indiana/wyndham-indianapolis-west/rooms-rates?&checkInDate=05/27/2023&checkOutDate=05/29/2023&groupCode=052023SPE_001

Tentative Schedule

2023 Special Forces Association
Annual Convention Schedule of Events

Unofficial – FREE admission Qualifying & Armed Forces Day:

Will feature three highly competitive battles – for the last three starting positions in the field of 33, followed by two action-packed Top-12 Qualifying, and the pole-deciding Firestone Fast Six to determine the starting order of the first four rows. Free entry for all military personnel with a valid military ID.

Unofficial – FREE admission Qualifying & Armed Forces Day:

SPECIAL SUITE THIS DAY for SFA ONLY
We have 30 spots donated by Lifeline Date Center suite–
(Look at sign up page we do not have a way to stop sign ups so sign up and you will be notified if you have one of the tickets to come to the suite)

Will feature three highly competitive battles – for the last three starting positions in the field of 33, followed by two action-packed Top-12 Qualifying, and the pole-deciding Firestone Fast Six to determine the starting order of the first four rows. Free entry for all military personnel with a valid military ID.

Registration Day

Monday, May 22
For Early Arriving Attendees, Explore on Your Own
1400 2000 SFACON Registration
1800 2200 Hospitality Room Open with Cash Bar/Official Convention Opening*
1800 2200 Green Beret Marketplace Open for Business

Day 1

Tuesday, May 23
Hall of Champions (1-2) 730 830 President’s Continental Breakfast – Kevin Harry
Hall of Champions (3) 730 900 Continental Breakfast
Golden Preconvene 800 1800 SFACON Registration
Golden Ballroom 800 2200 Hospitality Room Open with Cash Bar*
Golden Ballroom 800 2200 Green Beret Marketplace Open for Business
830 900 Room Change
Fortune Square 900 1500 Video Stories – See individual room and time assignments
Hall of Champions 900 1000 SFA Symposium– BG Lawrence Ferguson – Special Forces Command
Hall of Champions 1000 1100 SFA Symposium– Col Matthew Valas – 20th Group Commander
1100 1130 Room change lunch set up
Hall of Champions 1130 1300 Lunch Buffet*
Hall of Champions 1200 1300 SFA Symposium–Lunch Buffet* with Jeff Man – NSA
1300 1330 Room change
Front of hotel 1300 1600 Motorcycle Ride with Local Participation*
Hall of Champions 1330 1430 SFA Symposium– Alex Quade
Hall of Champions 1430 1530 SFA Symposium– John Armezzani
Hall of Champions 1800 2100 Welcome Dinner Buffet* Greg Stube followed by Comedian Galye Becwar

Day 2

Wednesday, May 24
Hall of Champions (1-2) 730 830 Continental Breakfast – Alex Quade Film
Hall of Champions (3) 730 900 Continental Breakfast
Golden Preconvene 800 1800 SFACON Registration
Golden Ballroom 800 2200 Hospitality Room Open with Cash Bar*
Golden Ballroom 800 2200 Green Beret Marketplace Open for Business
Hall of Champions (1-2) 830 900 Room Change
900 1500 Video Stories
Hall of Champions 900 1000 SFA Symposium– Lt. Gen. David Fridovich
Hall of Champions 1000 1100 SFA Symposium– MG Mike Repass
1100 1130 Room change lunch set up
Hall of Champions 1130 1300 Lunch Buffet*
Hall of Champions 1200 1300 SFA Symposium– Lunch talk – COL(R) Dave Maxwell
Hall of Champions 1300 1330 Room change
Hall of Champions 1330 1430 SFA Symposium– Lt. Colonel Jeff Tiegs
Hall of Champions 1430 1530 SFA Symposium– MOH Master Sgt. Earl Plumlee
Hall of Champions 1800 2100 Dinner Buffet* – Live Band – Silent Auction -VIP event Public invited – Guest speaker ERIC PRINCE

Day 3

Thursday, May 25
Hall of Champions (1-2) 730 830 Continental Breakfast
Hall of Champions (3) 730 900 Continental Breakfast
Golden Preconvene 800 1800 SFACON Registration
800 2200 Hospitality Room Open with Cash Bar
800 2200 Green Beret Marketplace Open for Business
Hall of Champions (1-2) 830 900 Room Change
900 1500 Video Stories
Hall of Champions 900 1000 SFA Symposium– National Meeting
Hall of Champions 1000 1100 SFA Symposium– Bianca Baldwin
1100 1130 Room change lunch set up
Hall of Champions 1130 1300 Lunch Buffet*
Hall of Champions 1130 1230 SFA Symposium– MSG Geoffrey, Dardia
Hall of Champions 1230 1330 SFA Symposium– Dr. Alice Atalanta
Hall of Champions 1330 1430 SFA Symposium– Dr. Erik Won
Hall of Champions 1430 1530 SFA Symposium– Admiral Brian Losey
1530 1800 Room change
TBD 1700 1800 Social Hour
Hall of Champions 1800 2000 Dinner Banquet* MC- LT Col Mitch Utterback Keynote – Scott Mann
Hall of Champions 2000 2200 After Dinner Special by Scott Mann (Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret)

Day 4

Lottie Dottie everybody field trip to the track

Friday, may 26
Hall of Champions (1-2) 730 900 Continental Breakfast
800 900 Green Beret Marketplace Closes
Hall of Champions (1-2) 800 900 General Session with Closing remarks
Front of hotel 900 1000 Bus to “Carb Day at the Indy 500” – Time Subject to Change
Indy Motor Speedway 1000 1130 Arrive at “Carb Day at the Indy 500” – Time Subject to Change
Indy Motor Speedway 1130 1330 Gold Star Picnic at “Carb Day at the Indy 500” Speaking COL Ken Hurst
Indy Motor Speedway 1330 1530 “Carb Day at the Indy 500” party day – Time Subject to Change
Indy Motor Speedway 1600 1800 “SNAKE PIT” CarbDay Concert
TBD – 1700 Bus to Memorial Service – (we are finalizing this, subject to chage)
Downtown Indy 1830 1930 American Legion 500 Festival Memorial Service – Time Subject to Change
2000 ——- Conference officially ends

Unofficial Day–

Indy Festival activities including Parade and others (look for sign up) https://www.500festival.com/parade/

The day before the Indy 500 is going to be a fun one! Get access to the star drivers of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES with the full field autograph session and the Public Drivers’ Meeting as drivers receive their final instructions before Race Day. Plus, your favorite Indy 500 veterans will have an autograph session of their own! TICKETS STARTING AT $10.00 View event.

UnofficialIndy 500 May 28th– FREE admission

(Normally $40 – FREE ADMISSION ONLY FOR VETERANS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE PRE-RACE CEREMONY (I.E. ON THE TRACK ITSELF WEARING CONVENTION SHIRT)

Participants: 

  • Will parade the front strip at the track before the race.
  • 86 people can be in a parade lap around the track in a truck (uniformed first then what’s left we can fill in up to 86)
  • Wear the convention shits and berets!!
  • Transportation on your own
  • We can get tickets to the Indy 500 race for everyone that stays and participates (tickets will include spouse + families)
  • General admonition ticket (north 40 tickets)
  • Track Bucks get a FREE meal to concession stand dollars.https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500 It’s the buzz of energy in the Indiana air. It’s the sense of pride racing through your heart. It’s that feeling connecting you to “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” It’s time to come Back Home Again Sunday, May 28 for the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

SPEAKERS

Keynote Speaker

Scott Mann - Keynote Speaker

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Scott Mann is a former U.S. Army Green Beret with tours all over the world including Colombia, Iraq, and multiple tours in Afghanistan. He is a warrior storyteller and the founder of Rooftop Leadership where he shares the rapport-building skills he learned in Special Forces to help today's leaders make better human connections in high-stakes, low-trust engagements.

Scott is the author of the instant New York Times Best-Seller, Operation Pineapple Express, a third-person narrative detailing the harrowing stories of the veterans, volunteers, and Afghan Allies who navigated the US abandonment of Afghanistan in August of 2021. The Gary Sinise Foundation has also partnered up with Scott to bring his play, Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret
- Click for more

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Scott Mann is a former U.S. Army Green Beret with tours all over the world including Colombia, Iraq, and multiple tours in Afghanistan. He is a warrior storyteller and the founder of Rooftop Leadership where he shares the rapport-building skills he learned in Special Forces to help today's leaders make better human connections in high-stakes, low-trust engagements.

Scott is the author of the instant New York Times Best-Seller, Operation Pineapple Express, a third-person narrative detailing the harrowing stories of the veterans, volunteers, and Afghan Allies who navigated the US abandonment of Afghanistan in August of 2021. The Gary Sinise Foundation has also partnered up with Scott to bring his play, Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret

to the legendary theater Steppenwolf, as well as to stages across the country in an effort provide healing to our Veterans and Families of the Fallen, as well as providing insight to our citizens on the personal cost of the longest war in our Nation’s history.

Scott’s greatest accomplishments are his family; he has three grown sons which now gives him the newfound opportunity to chase Monty, his wife of 27 years, around their Tampa home as often as possible. To learn more about Scott’s full body of work, visit ScottMann.com

Jeff Tiegs

Jeff Tiegs is a Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Expert with over 25 years of service in the U.S. Army Special Operations. He has commanded units during combat operations around the globe including Panama, Iraq and Afghanistan. Jeff has a Master’s Degree from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island and has earned numerous military decorations including the Ranger and Special Forces Tabs, Special Forces Combat Diver Badge and the Military Freefall Badge
-Click for more

Jeff Tiegs is a Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Expert with over 25 years of service in the U.S. Army Special Operations. He has commanded units during combat operations around the globe including Panama, Iraq and Afghanistan. Jeff has a Master’s Degree from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island and has earned numerous military decorations including the Ranger and Special Forces Tabs, Special Forces Combat Diver Badge and the Military Freefall Badge. He has also received numerous awards including five bronze stars for distinguished service during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan and a silver star award for valor during combat in Iraq. In addition to combat experience, his non-traditional assignments were influential at the policy and strategy levels of the U.S. government.

David Maxwell

David Maxwell is a retired US Army Special Forces Colonel and has spent more than 30 years in Asia as a practitioner and specializes in North Korea and East Asian Security Affairs and irregular, unconventional, and political warfare. He is the Editor of Small Wars Journal and a Senior Fellow at the Global Peace Foundation (where he focuses on a free and unified Korea), and a Senior Advisor to the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy.

David Maxwell is a retired US Army Special Forces Colonel and has spent more than 30 years in Asia as a practitioner and specializes in North Korea and East Asian Security Affairs and irregular, unconventional, and political warfare. He is the Editor of Small Wars Journal and a Senior Fellow at the Global Peace Foundation (where he focuses on a free and unified Korea), and a Senior Advisor to the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy.

LTG (RET) David P. Fridovich

LTG David P. Fridovich is a retired Lieutenant General and Green Beret in the United States Army. He graduated in 1974 from Knox College where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon. He then went on to receive a master’s degree in political science from Tulane University in 1976. After graduation, LTG Fridovich was commissioned an infantry Second Lieutenant. He served as a Rifle and Reconnaissance Platoon Leader - Click for More

LTG David P. Fridovich is a retired Lieutenant General and Green Beret in the United States Army. He graduated in 1974 from Knox College where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon. He then went on to receive a master’s degree in political science from Tulane University in 1976. After graduation, LTG Fridovich was commissioned an infantry Second Lieutenant. He served as a Rifle and Reconnaissance Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Light Infantry Company Commander with the 172nd Light Infantry Brigade, Fort Richardson, Alaska. He was appointed Assistant Professor of Military Science at Norwich University, where he trained the Mountain Cold Weather Cadre and Rescue Team.

LTG Fridovich Commanded the Combine/Joint Special Operations Task Force in Operation Joint Forge, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, from January through July 2000. He assumed command of the 1st Special Forces Group(AIRBORNE) in August of 2000. There, he led the Army Special Operations Task Force, Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines, Zamboanga, Republic of the Philippines from January through June of 2002. In January of 2005, LTG Fridovich assumed duties as Commander, Special Operations Command, Pacific. He subsequently assumed duties as the Director, Center of Special Operations, U.S. Special Operations Command in 2007, and became deputy Commander in May 2010.
LTG Fridovich retired on November 14, 2011 after more than 37 years of service in the U.S. Army. At the time of his retirement, he was the senior Green Beret in the Army.

COMMANDER, 20TH SPECIAL FORCES GROUP (AIRBORNE)

COLONEL MATTHEW A. VALAS

Colonel Valas is a graduate of the United States Army War College. He received his commission as an Infantry Officer from Hofstra University in 1998. He is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, and the Field Artillery Captain's Career Course, the Command and General Staff College, the Special Forces Detachment Officer Qualification Course, Jumpmaster Course, and Ranger School.

Colonel Valas is a graduate of the United States Army War College. He received his commission as an Infantry Officer from Hofstra University in 1998. He is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, and the Field Artillery Captain's Career Course, the Command and General Staff College, the Special Forces Detachment Officer Qualification Course, Jumpmaster Course, and Ranger School.

His previous command assignments include 26 months as Commander of 1st Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), where he deployed as the Deputy Commanding Officer of the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula, Manama, Bahrain; 27 months as Commander, A Company, 1st Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), where he deployed in support of OPERATION NEW DAWN, Kirkuk, Iraq; and 27 months as Commander, ODAs 2034 and 2116 1st Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) where he deployed in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Previous non-command assignments include service as the Senior National Guard Advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Security Cooperation, Assessment Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate; State Training Officer of the Alabama Army National Guard; Group Assistant Operations Officer and Operations Officer, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Battalion XO, 1st Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne); Battalion XO, 1st Battalion, 167th Infantry; and Infantry Platoon Leader, Support Platoon Leader, and Battalion Logistics Officer, 2d Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze star Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster) the Defense Meritorious Service Medal(with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal (with 3d Oak leaf cluster), the Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Afghan and Iraq Campaign Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device and Silver Hourglass, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Multinational Forces and Observers Medal, the Senior Parachutist Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab.

Michael S. Repass, Major General (Retired, U.S. Army)

Michael S. Repass is the Chief Executive Officer for Able Global Solutions LLC which he founded in 2013 after retiring from the Army. AGS focuses on international business development to match emerging technology and proven products with potential clients. AGS also examines trends and environments for strategic perspectives.

- Click for more

Michael S. Repass is the Chief Executive Officer for Able Global Solutions LLC which he founded in 2013 after retiring from the Army. AGS focuses on international business development to match emerging technology and proven products with potential clients. AGS also examines trends and environments for strategic perspectives.
Mike Repass’ military career began in 1980 upon graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. He served an infantry officer and over 30 years as a Special Forces officer. He commanded at every level in Special Forces from captain to major general. He commanded tactical units in the 5th Special Forces Group; the 1st Special Forces Group in Japan, then Commanded the 10th Special Forces Group. He commanded the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM for two combat tours. He was the Commanding General for both U.S. Army Special Forces Command and U.S. Special Operations Command, Europe in successive tours.
Mike Repass received a bachelor’s degree in science from the USMA in 1980 and a master’s degree in strategic studies in 2003 from the U.S. Army War College.
His awards include: two Army Distinguished Service Medals, Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars; the Combat and Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Parachutist’s and Air Assault badges, and Ranger and Special Forces tabs. He has multiple foreign decorations, accomplishment badges, and awards from the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine.
In his post-military life, has served as an adjunct instructor on a mobile education team working with European and African nations on national security policy education. He has worked with Ukrainian military forces since 2016 as an instructor and a strategic advisor.
A native of West Virginia, Mike Repass is married to the former Linda L. Rainey from Sheboygan, Wisconsin. They reside in Belle Isle, Florida.

Erik Prince former U.S. Navy SEAL officer

Erik Prince is an American businessman, former U.S. Navy SEAL officer, and the founder of the private military company Blackwater. He served as Blackwater's CEO until 2009 and as its chairman until its sale to a group of investors in 2010.

- Click for more

Erik Prince is an American businessman, former U.S. Navy SEAL officer, and the founder of the private military company Blackwater. He served as Blackwater's CEO until 2009 and as its chairman until its sale to a group of investors in 2010. Prince heads the private equity firm Frontier Resource Group and served as chairman of the Hong Kong-listed Frontier Services Group until 2021. Prince is the son of engineer and businessman Edgar Prince, and the brother of former U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.
Born in Holland, Michigan. Graduate of Hillsdale College. A true American Patriot.
War Reporter

Alex Quade

War reporter and documentary filmmaker Alex Quade started her career at the White House during the Persian Gulf War. She’s worked in television covering global conflicts and hostile environments for CNN, FOX, CBS, HLN, APTN and CNNI out of Frankfurt and Berlin, Germany, New York and Atlanta ( Alex Quade - IMDb ). - Click for more

--- ALEX QUADE ---
War reporter and documentary filmmaker Alex Quade started her career at the White House during the Persian Gulf War. She’s worked in television covering global conflicts and hostile environments for CNN, FOX, CBS, HLN, APTN and CNNI out of Frankfurt and Berlin, Germany, New York and Atlanta ( Alex Quade - IMDb ). She’s produced videos and reports for The New York Times; front page stories for The Washington Times, Military Times, and Small Wars Journal; and magazine cover features for National Guard, Communicator, and Dangerous Assignments. She’s the recipient of more than two dozen journalism awards. Among them: two national Edward R. Murrow Awards, the national Defense Media Award for her career covering special operations, an International Aerospace Media Award, group Emmy, Peabody and Columbia du-Pont Awards, and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Excellence in Journalism Award “for her courageous reporting and honest news coverage". For more info or to contact: http://alexquade.com/ ( Alex Quade — Communications Professional )
Dr. Mental Health

Dr. Alice Atalanta

Dr. Atalanta has spent nearly a decade working in support of the Special Operations community, with special emphasis on the Green Beret community. A sought-after ghostwriter, collaborator, and editor, the words you find on bookstore shelves, online, or in other communications from your favorite Special Operations inspirational figure may very well be hers.

Dr. Atalanta has spent nearly a decade working in support of the Special Operations community, with special emphasis on the Green Beret community. A sought-after ghostwriter, collaborator, and editor, the words you find on bookstore shelves, online, or in other communications from your favorite Special Operations inspirational figure may very well be hers. She publishes her own work, as well, having most recently co-authored “Meditations of an Army Ranger: A Warrior Philosophy for Everyone” with LTC JC Glick; and of her numerous viral eponymous online compositions, her essay “We Are the Useful Idiots: How Our Nation Divided Is Playing Straight Into the Hands of Our Greatest Enemies” earned the distinction of Havok Journal’s Article of the Year. She is founder and CEO of SOFXLE (www.sofxle.com), a consultancy bringing Special Operations strategies for mindset, resilience, and no-fail mission success to America’s Law Enforcement community. A trusted writer for, supporter of, and friend to the Green Beret Foundation, Dr. Atalanta owes her career in large part to the Green Berets who have opened their minds, experiences, and worlds up to her.

In her SFACON 2023 talk, “The Hidden Gifts of the Green Beret,” Dr. Atalanta shares the key life lessons she has learned from the Green Berets with whom she has been blessed to collaborate—and hopes to give back to this magnificent community of strength an awareness of the gifts that they bring to bear when they transition back to the civilian world.

You can find her at www.aliceatalanta.com, www.sofxle.com, or [email protected] .

Task Force Dagger Special Operations Foundation (TFDSOF) Founding Director TFDSOF Health Initiatives Program

MSG GEOFFREY P. DARDIA, FMCHC

Master Sergeant Geoffrey P. Dardia has served over 18 years in the Special Forces Regiment with 3SFG (A) as a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (18B), Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant (18F) and as a Special Forces Operations Sergeant (18Z). MSG Dardia also served as a Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course (SFAUCC) Instructor, Maritime Operations (MAROPS) Instructor, and as the Fort Bragg Wounded Warrior Liaison for United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). MSG Dardia has deployed to both CENTCOM, and AFRICOM areas of operation throughout his entire career. MSG Dardia is currently serving as the 1st Special Forces Command’s Human Performance and Wellness (HPW) Senior Leader, and as the Founding Director of the META (Medical, Education, Transition, Advocacy/Awareness) Transition Program.

Master Sergeant Geoffrey P. Dardia has served over 18 years in the Special Forces Regiment with 3SFG (A) as a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (18B), Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant (18F) and as a Special Forces Operations Sergeant (18Z). MSG Dardia also served as a Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course (SFAUCC) Instructor, Maritime Operations (MAROPS) Instructor, and as the Fort Bragg Wounded Warrior Liaison for United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). MSG Dardia has deployed to both CENTCOM, and AFRICOM areas of operation throughout his entire career. MSG Dardia is currently serving as the 1st Special Forces Command’s Human Performance and Wellness (HPW) Senior Leader, and as the Founding Director of the META (Medical, Education, Transition, Advocacy/Awareness) Transition Program.

In 2019, MSG Dardia was asked to help stand up 3SFG(A)’s Human Performance and Wellness (HPW) Program as an initiative to un-silo care delivery teams and connect them all together as one multidisciplinary, holistic care team (THOR, Group MED, Behavioral Health, Chaplain, Military & Family Life Counselor (MFLC), and Preservation of the Force and Family (POTFF). 3SFG (A)’s HPW model has been adopted by USSSOCOM and emulated throughout the Special Forces Regiment

MSG Dardia is also a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach and serves as a veteran advocate (trusted agent), educator, advisor, public speaker, and as guest writer for the Havok Journal where he educates and empowers people from all walks to take ownership of their health and actions. In 2012, MSG Dardia founded the SOF Health Initiatives Program for Task Force Dagger Special Operations Foundation. MSG Dardia is also part of multiple DOD/VA/Civilian advisory committees and working groups advocating for performance/lifestyle medicine to include the Uniformed Services University’s (USU) Task Force Resilience, the Total Force Fitness (TFF), and the Toxic Exposure in the American Military (TEAM), Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT Act) working groups. MSG Dardia is a frequent guest on several military and health related podcasts to include USSOCOM’s SOFcast, First Special Forces Command’s Indigenous Approach, and been featured in high visibility publications such as the Men’s Health, New York Times, Army Times, Military Times, and Experience Life Magazine.

COL (R) Ken Hurst

Prior to joining Cummins Ken served in the U.S. Army on active duty for 26 years retiring in October of 2011 as a Special Forces Colonel. His last assignment was with the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) in Tampa where he served as the Chief of Plans. During his career Ken commanded operational units from the A-Team to the Battalion level and he also served as the senior Human Resources officer for Army Special Operations. Ken served two tours in Iraq and a tour in the Philippines in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines. Ken has earned the Combat Infantryman’s badge and the Special Forces and Ranger Tabs.

Ken Joined Cummins in January of 2012. He currently serves as the Area manager for The Cincinnati and Columbus Ohio and Indianapolis Sales and Service branches.
Prior to joining Cummins Ken served in the U.S. Army on active duty for 26 years retiring in October of 2011 as a Special Forces Colonel. His last assignment was with the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) in Tampa where he served as the Chief of Plans. During his career Ken commanded operational units from the A-Team to the Battalion level and he also served as the senior Human Resources officer for Army Special Operations. Ken served two tours in Iraq and a tour in the Philippines in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines. Ken has earned the Combat Infantryman’s badge and the Special Forces and Ranger Tabs.
Ken graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Communications and he holds an MA in Human Resources Management from Webster University and an MA in Strategic Studies from the USMC War College. Ken and his wife Darla have been married for 34 years. Ken and Darla enjoy travelling and visiting with their son, his wife and grandson who live in Fredericksburg, VA. Ken and Darla live in Indianapolis.
Green Beret Foundation's Veterans Services Director

John Armezzani

John Armezzani is the Green Beret Foundation's Veterans Services Director.
John has been in the service of our country since 1978; first as an Army National Guard Infantryman, and then as an active duty Medical Sergeant, Intelligence Sergeant, and Operations Sergeant on Special Forces Operational Detachments “A-Team” in the 1st and 5th Forces Groups (Airborne). During his Army career John conducted operations in the Middle East, North Africa, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Rim. John also served at the Special Forces Company and Battalion levels prior to his retirement as a Special Forces Master Sergeant in 2001.

John Armezzani is the Green Beret Foundation's Veterans Services Director.
John has been in the service of our country since 1978; first as an Army National Guard Infantryman, and then as an active duty Medical Sergeant, Intelligence Sergeant, and Operations Sergeant on Special Forces Operational Detachments “A-Team” in the 1st and 5th Forces Groups (Airborne). During his Army career John conducted operations in the Middle East, North Africa, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Rim. John also served at the Special Forces Company and Battalion levels prior to his retirement as a Special Forces Master Sergeant in 2001.
After retiring from the U.S. Army John worked 11 years for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a GS 12 Rating Specialist where he was responsible for making determinations regarding the levels of veteran’s disabilities, and later as a trainer and mentor to other VA rating specialist. He is a graduate of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs Ex-POW Case Management Course and has made decisions on the level of disability for most of Washington State’s former POWs and Medal of Honor recipients. Mr. Armezzani also helped stand up the Joint VA DOD Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) activity at the Seattle VA regional Office. Additionally, he wrote decisions for the VA Appeals Management Office.
Following his VA service Mr. Armezzani was the Department Service Officer for the American Legion Department of Washington. He was responsible for the supervision of 4 offices and 12 Veterans Service Officers serving the State of Washington and a budget of over $600,000.
Mr. Armezzani also helped establish Rally Point 6, a Veteran assistance organization that later became the basis for the USO’s veteran assistance program.

Greg Stube

● Enlisted to US Army Infantry in July, 1988.
● Selected for 18D in November, 1992.
● Stube served as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant (18D), until retirement, July, 2011
● Foreign language training - Russian
● Received additional skill training as a Dive Medical Technician at the Special Forces Underwater Operations Facility in Key West, FL.
● SERE Qualified (Survival, Evasion,
● Master Parachutist Badge awarded

FOX news
Green Beret: The Left is wrong. I am a warrior. Not a victim
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/green-beret-the-left-is-wrong-i-am-a-warrior-not-a-victim

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● Enlisted to US Army Infantry in July, 1988.
● Selected for 18D in November, 1992.
● Stube served as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant (18D), until retirement, July, 2011
● Foreign language training - Russian
● Received additional skill training as a Dive Medical Technician at the Special Forces Underwater Operations Facility in Key West, FL.
● SERE Qualified (Survival, Evasion,
● Master Parachutist Badge awarded
● Participated in initial development of Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat training doctrine and 10th SFG(A) SFAUC course.
● Multiple Liaison Team and Joint Commission Observer missions in Bosnia and Kosovo in the 90s
● Wounded in Afghanistan during Operation Medusa / The Battle of Sperwan Ghar, which lasted over a week.
● Stube has since retired with 23 years of service, to become the host of his own television show on NBC Sports, “Coming Home with Greg Stube.” Since the conclusion of the tv series, he has developed what he calls “Lessons Learned from the Battlefield,” to give these products back to society through youth development, business consulting and Law Enforcement training.
● For over a decade, Stube has served as a leadership presenter for the FBI and the FBI National Academy, the DEA, the NYPD Homicide Detective’s Academy and many other agencies and major corporate entities.
● Wrote CONQUER ANYTHING; A Green Beret’s Guide to Building Your A-Team
● Author, James Patterson, included Stube in his recent Best Seller, Walk in my Combat Boots. The New York Post chose Stube’s story to lead its article introducing Patterson’s new book.
“Silver Star” Surviving Spouse of Major Darren R. Baldwin

Bianca Baldwin

Mrs. Bianca Baldwin is the “Silver Star” Surviving Spouse of Major Darren R. Baldwin and a Caregiver Advocate for the Special Forces community. She earned her degrees in Special Education from the Justus-Liebig-University in Giessen, Germany before becoming a military spouse.
Mrs. Baldwin committed her time, prior to Major Baldwin’s sustained combat injuries, to the respective Family Readiness Groups of SWCS in Fort Bragg, NC, and 10th SFG (A) in Fort Carson, CO throughout his military career.

Mrs. Bianca Baldwin is the “Silver Star” Surviving Spouse of Major Darren R. Baldwin and a Caregiver Advocate for the Special Forces community. She earned her degrees in Special Education from the Justus-Liebig-University in Giessen, Germany before becoming a military spouse.
Mrs. Baldwin committed her time, prior to Major Baldwin’s sustained combat injuries, to the respective Family Readiness Groups of SWCS in Fort Bragg, NC, and 10th SFG (A) in Fort Carson, CO throughout his military career. She has been a spokesperson and advocate for injured Green Berets and their spouses prior to Major Baldwin”s passing and since as she dedicated her life to longterm caregiving of Major Baldwin for over 15 years. Mrs Baldwin also serves as the Vice President on the Board of Directors for the Major Darren Baldwin Legacy Foundation and is currently working on completion of her End-of-life Doula Specialist certification.
Mrs. Baldwin was awarded the United States Army Superior Public Service Medal, the Army Commander’s Award for Public Service Medal, and was honored as the first “Keeper of the Brave” recipient by the Green Beret Foundation in 2017.
CEO Wave Neuroscience

Dr. Erik Won

Dr. Erik Won is President and Chief Medical Officer of Wave Neuroscience, Inc; a biotechnology company that has innovated breakthrough technologies called Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy (MeRT) and Synchronized Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (sTMS). These technologies utilize computational neuroanalytics and brain imaging to customize treatment protocols with the aim of restoring optimal neurological function. These modalities represent a form of personalized precision-guided medicine that has been researched or is currently in clinical trials with premier institutions such as US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM),
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Dr. Erik Won is President and Chief Medical Officer of Wave Neuroscience, Inc; a biotechnology company that has innovated breakthrough technologies called Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy (MeRT) and Synchronized Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (sTMS). These technologies utilize computational neuroanalytics and brain imaging to customize treatment protocols with the aim of restoring optimal neurological function. These modalities represent a form of personalized precision-guided medicine that has been researched or is currently in clinical trials with premier institutions such as US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), Uniformed Services University Health Sciences (USUHS), the Henry M Jackson Foundation, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the University of Southern California (USC) Center for Neurorestoration, the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) - David Geffen School of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania - Perelman School of Medicine, Brown University - Warren Alpert School of Medicine, and the Texas A&M Institute for Bioscience and Technology, among others. Erik joined Wave Neuroscience after serving as the Chief Physician and Chief Technology Officer (Health Services) for the Boeing Company. He also served as a US Navy Flight Surgeon for Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268, and received the distinction of serving as the ACE (Aviation Combat Element) Flight Surgeon for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. Dr. Won has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, textbooks, and presented in numerous academic conferences. He completed his residency at the Harvard OEM combined residency program and was appointed Chief Resident. He received a Masters in Public Health (MPH) from the Harvard School of Public Health and Masters in Business Administrations (MBA) from the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business.

Mitch Utterback

Mitch Utterback enlisted with a Special Forces contract in 1982 and was assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group at Ft. Devens, Massachusetts as a light weapons specialist in 1983 on ODA 315, later redesignated 075. He reclassified as a communications specialist, completed the Combat Diver Qualification Course at Key West, and studied German at the Defense Language Institute (DLI). - Click for more

Mitch Utterback enlisted with a Special Forces contract in 1982 and was assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group at Ft. Devens, Massachusetts as a light weapons specialist in 1983 on ODA 315, later redesignated 075. He reclassified as a communications specialist, completed the Combat Diver Qualification Course at Key West, and studied German at the Defense Language Institute (DLI).

While at DLI, he was recruited by PSSE-Berlin and served in the unit until 1988, when he left active duty as a staff sergeant to attend college and Army ROTC at San Diego State University. After Ranger School, commissioning, college graduation, and the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Mitch returned to Ft. Bragg and completed the SF Detachment Officer Qualification Course.

Mitch served on active duty with the 10th Special Forces Group and the 410th Special Forces Detachment, in the Army Reserve with 12th Special Forces Group, and the Army National Guard with the 19th Special Forces Group. While with 19th Group, Mitch was a detachment, company, and battalion commander. He deployed three times to Afghanistan and once to Iraq. Mitch retired with 20 years of active federal service in 2015.

Mitch is dedicated to remembering and telling the stories of special operations from WWII onward, and ensuring the current generation of operators understand their history. He is deeply involved in the future of the Regiment through his work as a guerrilla chief in the Robin Sage exercise.

Mitch is a Life Member of the Special Forces Association and a founding member of SFA Chapter 75 in San Diego.

(Creator of the whiz wheel and helped design our mobile base stations from NSA)

Jeff Man

Former "red team" at NSA.
Respected Information Security advocate, advisor, evangelist, international speaker, keynoter, and co-host on Paul's Security Weekly, one of the longest running cybersecurity-based podcasts. Currently serving in a Consulting/Advisory role for Online Business Systems.
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Respected Information Security advocate, advisor, evangelist, international speaker, keynoter, and co-host on Paul's Security Weekly, one of the longest running cybersecurity-based podcasts. Currently serving in a Consulting/Advisory role for Online Business Systems. Nearly 40 years of experience working in all aspects of computer, network, and information security, including cryptography, risk management, vulnerability analysis, compliance assessment, forensic analysis and penetration testing. Certified NSA Cryptanalyst. Previously held security research, management and product development roles with the National Security Agency, the DoD and private-sector enterprises and was part of the first penetration testing "red team" at NSA.
RADM (ret)

Brian Losey

Brian Losey a retired rear admiral of the United States Navy. He headed the Naval Special
Warfare Command from 2013 until his retirement in 2016
. He has spoken publicly about the benefits of psychedelics in treating mental health issues in
the special operations community

Brian Losey a retired rear admiral of the United States Navy. He headed the Naval Special
Warfare Command from 2013 until his retirement in 2016. He has spoken publicly about the benefits of psychedelics in treating mental health issues in the special operations community.

Brian served in the U.S. Navy for 33 years. He commanded U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command, U.S. Special Operations Command Africa, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, Naval Special Warfare Development Group, and SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE. He worked alongside teammates in Task Forces deployed to the Middle East, Central Asia, the Balkans, and Africa, and has significant operational experience in contingency operations around the world. He served as a Director for Combating Terrorism and Director for Maritime Security on the National Security Council Staff under the Bush and Obama Administrations.

Comedian Magician

Gayle Becwar

Gayle Becwar has shared the stage with prop comedian Carrot Top, country CMA award winning band Sawyer Brown, comedian Bill Engvall (from the “Blue Collar Comedy Tour”), the musical group Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, comedian Kevin Farley, comedian Michael Winslow (the man of 10,000 Voices), and also in a series of shows with the late legendary comedienne Phyllis Diller.

Gayle Becwar has shared the stage with prop comedian Carrot Top, country CMA award winning band Sawyer Brown, comedian Bill Engvall (from the “Blue Collar Comedy Tour”), the musical group Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, comedian Kevin Farley, comedian Michael Winslow (the man of 10,000 Voices), and also in a series of shows with the late legendary comedienne Phyllis Diller.

Becwar has taped “clean” television performances for HBO and Showtime Television.
He’s performed at comedy clubs and casinos nationwide including: The Las Vegas “V” Theatre, the Las Vegas Rio, MGM, Excalibur, Flamingo Casinos, Hollywood’s world famous Magic Castle, The Los Angeles Comedy Store, and Bud Friedmann’s Improvisation Comedy Club.
Gayle Becwar’s quick wit, sharp memory, and likable ad-libbing style, full of audience participation makes each of his performances exciting and special.
His college degree in Broadcasting, Speech, and Advertising, contributes to his professionalism, as well as a warm and engaging rapport with his audience.