Special Operators Transition Foundation

Before the United States was a nation, there were already Soldiers fighting for its future.

June 14th marks both Flag Day and the 251st Birthday of the United States Army.

The Army was formed in 1775, more than a year before independence was declared. Even before the country officially existed, Americans were already willing to serve and sacrifice for what it could become.

A flag represents those ideals. Service is what carries them forward.

That tradition continues today across our Army, including within the Special Operations community, and in the lives of our military veterans who continue to lead long after their time in uniform.

Today, we honor both the symbol and the service behind it.

Happy Flag Day and Happy 251st Birthday to the United States Army. 🇺🇸

AI can improve presentation, but it cannot manufacture substance.

We're entering an AI hiring arms race.

Candidates use AI to optimize resumes. Employers use AI to screen them. Yet exceptional talent can still be overlooked when hiring becomes a keyword-matching exercise.

Special Operations veterans are a great example. Many use AI to translate years of leadership, decision-making, risk management, and mission ex*****on into language the private sector understands. That's a smart use of technology.

But a polished resume is only the invitation.

The qualities that drive long-term success, such as character, judgment, adaptability, humility, and the ability to lead under pressure, can't be generated by AI.

The best hiring leaders look beyond formatting and ask better questions:

• Can this person perform in ambiguity?
• Can they solve problems when conditions change?
• Can they build trust quickly?
• Can they elevate the people around them?

AI can help people communicate their value. It cannot create value where it doesn't exist. Technology should enhance human judgment, not replace it.

What qualities do you look for that no resume or AI tool can fully capture?

Kerry Black
SOTF Director of Corporate Engagement
Phase III Coach

We are honored to have Kim Campbell serve as a Board Member at SOTF. Her unwavering commitment to supporting our Special Operators and their community is deeply rooted in her own life experiences.

As you read her story below, you'll gain a greater understanding of the passion that drives her dedication to our mission and to the warriors and families we serve.

"One thing I didn’t fully anticipate when I retired from the military was how much I would miss the sense of purpose, camaraderie, and mission that came with serving alongside incredible teammates every day. Transition can be exciting, but it can also feel daunting at times. You spend years focused on something bigger than yourself, and then suddenly you’re trying to figure out what that next mission looks like.

That’s one of the reasons supporting the Special Operations Transition Foundation means so much to me. SOTF helps veterans and families navigate some of the most challenging moments of transition and reminds them they don’t have to do it alone. Joining the Board also gave me a new way to continue supporting the troops on the ground and the broader military community. That continued connection to service, teamwork, and helping others find their footing again has given me a renewed sense of passion and purpose."

-Kim Campbell, SOTF Board Member and USAF Combat Veteran

Thank you, Kim. Your leadership, guidance, and unwavering support help make our mission possible. We are proud to have you as part of the SOTF family and thankful for the impact you continue to make alongside our dedicated Board of Directors.

The SOTF Team is excited to announce Tyrelle Robinson has successfully transitioned into a Full Stack Developer with Logistics Management Institute (LMI).

Tyrelle Robinson is a seasoned Special Operations leader who recently completed service from the U.S. Army as a Staff Sergeant after 8 years of selfless service.

A snapshot of some of Tyrelle's accomplishments includes:

🇺🇸 During his tenure, he served as both a PSYOP team leader and PSYOP team member in the 7th Psychological Operations Battalion, supporting operations in the Middle East and across Africa. He later served as a Software Engineer at 1st Special Forces Command, contributing to operationally focused software solutions.

🇺🇸 Tyrelle brings a mission-focused approach to problem-solving, leveraging his experience working with diverse stakeholders to translate real-world needs into effective, user-focused solutions.

🇺🇸 Tyrelle holds a Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering, is a Palantir American Tech Fellowship Honor Graduate, and holds multiple technical certifications spanning cloud, networking, and foundational IT systems.

🇺🇸 Outside of work, Tyrelle dedicates most of his personal time to bowhunting, jiu jitsu, and spending time with his wife and son.

"The SOTF Team provided outstanding mentorship and was always available with timely, practical advice. Their guidance was instrumental in helping me refine my interview approach and successfully navigate the job offer process. I especially appreciated their tailored and 24/7 support for my unique situation, as well as the networking events that created meaningful opportunities to connect with industry professionals and other fellows. This level of support made a direct impact on my transition. I highly encourage anyone transitioning out of uniform to take full advantage of everything SOTF has to offer."

To learn more about Tyrelle’s incredible journey, connect with him on LinkedIn.

At SOTF, we know meaningful impact happens when passionate people come together around a shared mission. That's exactly why our SOTF Task Forces exist.

Our Nashville Task Force continues to demonstrate what local leadership and community engagement can accomplish. Working alongside SOTF staff, leaders like Nick Ridings and the members of our Nashville Task Force are helping expand the reach of our mission and create opportunities for the community to support Special Operations veterans as they transition into their next chapter.

This August, those same dedicated supporters, leaders, and advocates, along with SOTF staff and community partners, are bringing an incredible event weekend to Nashville, featuring our Benefit Gala + Concert, followed by a Golf Tournament the next day.

We're grateful for the leadership, energy, and commitment of the Nashville Task Force and everyone helping make this event weekend possible.

Interested in joining us in Nashville this August? Learn more about the Benefit Gala + Concert and Golf Tournament here: https://hubs.ly/Q04kx-Yv0

"Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you."
-Dwight D. Eisenhower, June 6, 1944

Eighty two years ago today, more than 156,000 Allied troops landed in Normandy in one of the most significant military operations in history. Eisenhower's words were directed not to generals or politicians, but to soldiers, sailors, and airmen. Many were barely out of high school. Some were still teenagers.

They answered a call greater than themselves, knowing the risks and carrying the hopes of a free world.

Today, we remember those who sacrificed everything on D Day, and we honor the men and women who continue to serve our nation in uniform. The courage, commitment, and selfless service that defined that generation can still be found in today's military community.

As a veteran transition foundation, we believe supporting service members as they move into their next chapter is one way we honor the legacy of those who came before them. The freedoms we have enjoyed for nearly 250 years were secured by generations willing to serve, sacrifice, and lead.

We remember their sacrifice. We honor their service. We continue their legacy.

Invest in Your Relationships… Be Interested Less Interesting

One of the greatest myths we tell ourselves is that successful people make it on their own.

After 34 years in uniform, I've never met a successful leader who got there alone… not in the military… not in business… not in life.

Behind every promotion, every command, every successful organization, and every meaningful transition are relationships – a network of people who invested their time, wisdom, trust, and belief in someone else's future.

Over the years, I've learned that the most meaningful relationships aren't transactional. They're built on genuine interest in others.

Too often, we approach networking focused on how we can be interesting to someone else. The strongest connections I've experienced, both in uniform and beyond it, came from being genuinely interested in the people across the table. Their story. Their challenges. Their aspirations. Their purpose.

The same is true for the Special Operators we serve at SOTF. Every Fellow who successfully navigates the transition from service to the private sector is supported by a community: a coach who challenges them, an alumnus who shares a lesson learned, a business leader who offers guidance, a donor who chooses to invest in their future, and a spouse who stands beside them through uncertainty.

None of us succeeds alone.

Next week, we'll gather Fellows, Alumni, friends, supporters, and business leaders from across Colorado. On the surface, it may seem like a series of networking engagements and workshops, but it's genuinely something much more important. It's a reminder for all of us that the strongest communities are built when people choose to invest in one another.

This is how opportunities are created, how transitions become transformations, and how missions continue long after the uniform comes off.

Hands down, the most important asset in any transition is never your resume or portfolio; it's your relationships.

Invest in them… be interested.

Keith Pritchard
SOTF Director of Development

The SOTF was honored at the 9th Annual Military Appreciation Dinner hosted by the veteran community at the Detroit Athletic Club, continuing a meaningful tradition of recognition, service, and shared respect.

The evening featured a powerful presentation by CSM (Ret.). Glen "Nick" Nickel, a founding member of the elite Tier-1 National Mission Unit, Delta Force. His firsthand insights into pivotal moments in U.S. Special Operations history captivated the audience and underscored the realities of service at the highest levels.

A sincere thank you to Brian & Connie Demkowicz, Sherri Perez, and the entire Detroit Athletic Club Veterans Society for their continued hospitality in hosting this gathering year after year.

What makes this tradition especially meaningful is the Detroit Athletic Club veteran community’s commitment to honoring service beyond a single evening. As part of their Memorial Day observances each May, members returned the following day to participate in the annual "Murph" workout, a challenging tribute that honors the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their willingness to show up, remember, and carry forward the spirit of Memorial Day is a testament to the values of service, sacrifice, and patriotism that define this community.

Special appreciation to all who attended and supported the event, including our SOTF alumnus Brian Ellis, PhD, and two of our SOTF Fellows, Michael Thomas and Kegan McKinnon.

We'd also like to thank John Lind of the Arsenal of Democracy of Detroit, and our sponsors, whom we are deeply grateful for, Detroit Athletic Club Veterans Society, Breeze Smoke, Northwestern Mutual - Metro Detroit, James Group International, Waltonen Engineering, EOTECH, Huron Capital, Three Cs Landscaping Inc, The Salvage Groups Inc, and many more.

We are grateful for the opportunity to stand alongside such an incredible community in honoring service, sacrifice, and country.

The SOTF team is excited to announce our Task Force Lead for the Dallas–Fort Worth region, Stephen Cortez. His motivation and drive to support our commitment to our Fellows and Alumni are steadfast and strong.

Stephen Cortez served as a Critical Skills Operator (Marine Raider) with 10 years of service in the United States Marine Corps, spending the majority of his career within Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC), where he held specialized roles as a Scout Sniper, JTAC, Communications Specialist, Military Free Fall Parachutist, and Combatant Diver. Throughout his service, he completed rigorous courses demonstrating his ability to rapidly learn, execute, and lead complex tasks while operating under significant physical and mental pressure. His experience in special operations developed a strong foundation in leadership, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and operating under extreme pressure in complex environments.

Following his transition from active-duty service, Stephen earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance with a concentration in Real Estate from Texas Christian University and then entered into the home building industry where he works as a Community Sales Manager for Graham Hart Home Builder.

Stephen remains committed to supporting the mission of the Special Operations Transition Foundation (SOTF) because of the direct impact the organization had on his own transition from military service. As an SOTF Fellow, he gained mentorship, professional development, and access to a network of high-performing leaders that helped him successfully navigate the transition into the private sector. He is passionate about helping other SOF veterans successfully navigate their next chapter in life and is committed to serving them as the SOTF Task Force Lead for the Dallas-Fort Worth region, where he aims to create meaningful impact for current SOTF Fellows exploring opportunities and building their next endeavors within the region.

Welcome to the SOTF Task Force, Stephen! We’re so glad to have you with us and grateful for your support.

⛳SOTF Annual Charity Golf Tournament

August 17, 2026
Old Natchez Country Club | Franklin, TN

Join SOTF for a day on the course filled with patriotism, competition, and purpose. The tournament features all-inclusive play, hole activations from local Tennessee businesses, fun on-course competitions, and appearances from SOTF Special Operators throughout the course.

Bring your company, clients, or colleagues and take your business to the green while supporting our nation’s military heroes and their families.

Register now to tee up your spot: https://hubs.ly/Q04jz3TX0