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:
Cal Rollins
14 Crosswinds Dr
Cabot, AR 72023-9743
SecretarySOA@suddenlink.net
(501) 827-0916