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Membership Criteria
The SOA is a veteran’s fraternal organization of U.S. and allied
participants in Special Military Operations conducted in combat areas
during WW II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Grenada, Somalia, the
Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq, and others as deemed appropriate by the SOA.
The SOA is subject to Internal Revenue Code 501 (c)(19).
Types and Criteria of Membership
General Member - This is a Voting member. Dues are $30.00 (USD),
assessed on a calendar year basis. A one-time filing fee of $5.00 (USD)
will be assessed at time of application. A total of $35.00 (USD) is due
with application.
General Member Criteria
1. The applicant must have been assigned to one of the units recognized
by this Association and
2. The ROUTINE and REGULAR (normal) duty of the applicant while at this
assignment MUST have placed the applicant in DIRECT THREAT/EXPOSURE to
hostile fire and
3. The applicant must be specific concerning dates of assignments and
duties performed while at qualifying assignment(s) and
4. The applicant must provide, with his application, copies of
government documentation proving unit and duty assignment(s). The
Association is not responsible for obtaining your documentation.
Requirement for documentation may be waived if the application includes
the name of at least one General Member who, from personal first-hand
knowledge, can verify the applicant's qualifications.
Associate Member - This is a Non-Voting member. Dues are $30.00 (USD),
assessed on a calendar year basis. A one-time filing fee of $5.00 (USD)
will be assessed at time of application. A total of $35.00 (USD) is due
with application.
Associate Member Criterion
Government documentation assigning you to one of the units recognized by
this association is required. If your ROUTINE and REGULAR (normal)
duties at the assignment DID NOT place you in DIRECT THREAT/EXPOSURE to
hostile fire, you may qualify for an Associate membership.
Operational Associate – This is a Non-Voting associate. Dues are $30.00
(USD), assessed on a calendar year basis. A one-time filing fee of $5.00
(USD) will be assessed at the time of application. A total of $35.00
(USD) is due with application.
Operational Associate Criterion
If such persons were members of the US military, they would qualify for
General Membership. This status may be awarded to certain non-US
military and paramilitary personnel who were in special operations
combat with and under the direct control of US Armed Forces personnel.
Life Status – Life status may be available to new applicants at the rate
of $500.00 (USD). A one-time filing fee of $5.00 (USD) will be assessed
at the time of application. A total of either $505.00 (USD) is due with
application. For those 70 years of age or older, the Life fee is $300.00
(USD), plus the $5.00(USD) filing fee, for a total of $305.00 (USD) due
with application, and proof of age is required.
Membership Guidelines
The unit/project MUST be or have been composed of military personnel,
organized SPECIFICALLY to conduct special unconventional operations,
with a mission of conducting covert and classified combat and/or
reconnaissance operations as its NORMAL (routine and regular) function,
within hostile territory and forward of the area of influence of
conventional ground support units;
Or
with the mission to conduct counter-Terrorist Operations as its PRIMARY
function;
Or
in a ROUTINE and REGULAR basis to provide DIRECT combat support (e.g.,
fire, transport, forward air control) to organizations meeting the above
criterion and approved by the Special Operations Association. This
definition applies ONLY to those who actually crewed these land, sea, or
air weapons or vehicles.
THE SPECIAL OPEATIONS ASSOCIATION RESERVES ALL RIGHTS TO INTERPRETATION
OF THE ABOVE CRITERIA AND DEFINITIONS OF “SPECIAL OPERATIONS” AND
“SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNITS”.
Revised: JAN 2007
For an application or additional information contact:
Lee Torbett
P.O. Box 648
Marlin, TX 76661
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