This post was written by KaLea Lehman and Lynnsy Snook of the Military Special Operations Family Collaborative (MSOFC). Learn more about MSOFC here.
The Global SOF Foundation and MSOFC team up to host a quarterly virtual series called the SOF Team Room. The last rendition was held on 17 AUG 2022 and sponsored by Ghost Professionals Group.
Thank you for joining us for another great Team Room conversation. The SOF Team Room is for the whole special operations family because wellness, high performance, and legacy are inseparable.
We were honored to have Former Deputy Commander of USSOCOM, Vice Admiral (Ret.) Tim Szymanski and CSM (Ret) Hank Marsh lead our conversation on High Performance in the Gray Zone with their amazing spouses Marcela Szymanski and Jesse Marsh.
Fran Racioppi, host of the Jedburgh Podcast, kicked-off our candid conversation on the intersection of health and high performance in the new national defense paradigm.
If you missed the discussion, you can listen to our Keynote Leaders and their spouses discuss their decades of experience in Special Operations. They shared their thoughts on the changing dynamics and experience of SOF service since pre-9-11 and addressed what is necessary for the Force now with our trusted moderator, Dr. Chris Frueh.
Then we sprinted through some key health and performance topics. Fran kicked off the first sprint on leveraging culture to build community with former Special Forces service members Daniel Bell and Patrick Brennan , hosts of the After SOF podcast. The robust conversation touched on the unique values of those who serve in Special Operations, the impact of good mentorship, and the challenge of identity following service.
Then, Dr. Jason Milhalik masterfully walked us through nearly 2 decades of brain health research with Special Operations. Dr. Mihalik leads the new THRIVE Program at UNC – an intensive clinical program for veterans seeking care for Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress. To learn more about his work with Special Operations, the THRIVE program, or brain health, make sure to register for the SOF Health Deep Dive on September 19 from 7-9 pm.
Last but not least, Dr. Brian Hite led a presentation on Motivation and High Performance. Dr. Hite is a performance psychologist at Begin Again Performance Psychology. There are few breaks in Special Operations, so thinking about how to maintain motivation and channel it post service is a challenge.
Fran brought us all back together for a final Roundtable Discussion led by Dr. Chris Freuh. Our Keynote Leaders and their spouses discussed the Health Sprint topics and wrapped up the evening discussing how these topics are essential for the health and legacy of our community. You can catch up on their conversation here.
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For more information about the people, programs, and resources featured in our Team Room, check out the details here. We added additional resources sourced from the robust conversations in the Health Sprints. Check them out at the bottom of the event resource page.
As always, we want to hear your thoughts on the SOF Team Room and how we can continue the conversation. Our next Team Room will be Nov 21, 2022 on Special Operations Legacy. Stand by for more details.
IF you missed the SOF Team Room and are looking for more information about useful and effective health and well-being resources for Special Operations service members, veterans, and their families, sign-up for the Military Special Operations Family Collaborative’s newsletter and standby for the online, searchable resource directory coming in October 2022.
Other Resources shared in the Team Room Health Sprints
Intensive Clinical Programs (Primarily for TBI and PTSD)
Active Duty
- The Center for The Intrepid in Fort Sam Houston, TX (polytrauma/chronic pain focus)
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE in Bethesda, MD
Active Duty and Veteran
- James A. Haley VA Hospital (PREP) in Tampa, FL
- VA Hospital (STAR) Program in Richmond, VA (polytrauma focus)
- Home Base / Comprehensive Brain Health and Treatment (COMBHAT) in Boston, MA
Veteran
- Marcus Institute for Brain Health (MIBH) in Aurora, CO
- Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA (substance Abuse capability)
Other Brain Health
- Amen Clinics in various locations around the US
Transition Specific Organizations and Resources
- Commit Foundation
- Special Operations Transition Foundation
- The Honor Foundation
- Resource: Transition “Cheat Sheet”
Other Nonprofit Programs or Resources
- The Station Foundation (Transition and other programs for special operations)
- Boulder Crest Foundation
For more Special Operations specific resources, sign-up to receive Newsletters from Military Special Operations Family Collaborative.
Thank you to our event sponsor, Ghost Professionals Group.
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