Called to serve. Proven to perform.
The Challenge
How do our SOF service members translate their skills into a value proposition that resonates with private-sector hiring managers? We help connect SOF veterans and private enterprises to see the value of collaboration and what each offers the other.
Challenge Accepted
The Opportunity
Companies are looking for candidates who are results-oriented and know how to win. SOF veterans are looking for their next successful career – not just a job. The leadership and management skills they honed in the military are critically important in the business world.
Opportunity Knocks, We’ve Answered.
The Solution
After completing a SOTF Fellowship, our Fellows are ready, willing, and able to help sustain and scale any business or organization. Special Operations veterans add tremendous value to any team they’re on; smart companies recognize this. As a result, they’ll want to hire more of these extraordinary individuals who go through SOTF.
We’ve Got the Solution
Why SOTF?
Since 2013, SOTF has transitioned over 1,000 Special Operators into over 450 of our Nation’s highest-performing companies across American communities.
Our Program
Our program is focused on service members who have been through an assessment and selection process for the units of the Special Operations Command or operational personnel from select intelligence agencies.
Application
Verification of Service
SOTF Review Board Nomination
Fellowship conferred
Assessment
Psychometric Testing
Behavioral Testing
Profile & Value Proposition
Exploration
Executive Coaching
Resume Tailoring
Regional Workshops
Networking Events
Execution
Connections
Interview Preparation
Comparative Analysis
Offer Negotiation
Integration
First 100 Day Support
Alumni Network Induction
Latest Reviews
This program has been crucial in my transition from military life after 25 years on active duty. I was feeling a bit lost on how to proceed once I made up my mind to retire, and SOTF has provided me with the framework to guide me through this transition. The workshop I attended is a perfect example of a first-rate event that aggregates and presents valuable tools and insights to add to our toolkit as we navigate the waters of transitioning to our next chapter.
If you are a military member looking to re-invent, transition, change careers, super-charge your network, confront your fears, understand your own value, and capitalize on opportunities, there are none better than the passionate members of the Special Operators Transition Foundation. Thanks for the personal help when I needed it most.
Transition out of the Air Force Special Operations community was bittersweet, exciting, and scary all at the same time! After nearly 25 years of pouring my heart and soul into a military profession I loved, it was great to have the SOTF team and program behind me as I figured out how to navigate a path forward into the civilian sector. SOTF provided a reliable, safe, and attuned teammate to work through and succeed in the transition challenge. SOTF mentors provided me with a valuable “sounding board” to talk transition tactics and strategy. It was great knowing they had my back!
Trained. Tested. Trusted.
SOTF Fellows know they have received the most curated transition experience possible. Hiring Partners know they have a curated leader who can deliver unparalleled, ethical, and innovative results.
The ultimate winning proposition!
The SOTF Team is excited to announce that Mac Ferguson has successfully transitioned to the role of Program Manager – SOCOM with Allen Control Systems.
Mac is a seasoned Special Operations leader currently completing his service in the United States @USArmy as a Captain after nearly a decade of selfless service.
A snapshot of some of Mac’s accomplishments includes:
🇺🇸 Mac commissioned as a Military Intelligence Officer before later becoming a Special Forces Officer and Detachment Commander within 19th Special Forces Group. Throughout his career, he led teams and operations across multiple countries in support of strategic objectives, partner force development, and interagency coordination efforts.
🇺🇸 Mac has built a reputation for operating at the intersection of strategy, operations, and technology, helping translate complex operational problems into executable solutions while aligning teams, decision-makers, and technical stakeholders in high-pressure environments.
🇺🇸 Mac earned a Bachelor of Arts from The Citadel and is currently pursuing his MBA at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, where he continues to build on his operational background to drive meaningful impact in the defense technology space.
🇺🇸 Outside of work, Mac enjoys helping fellow veterans navigate transition and find purpose beyond the military, staying active through fitness, spending time outdoors hunting and fishing, and making time for family and close friends.
“SOTF played a major role in helping me navigate the transition process and better understand how to translate my experiences into opportunities outside the military. The mentorship, network, and guidance the team provided were invaluable throughout the process.”
To learn more about Mac’s leadership journey, connect with him on LinkedIn.
#TransitionTuesday #SOTF #specialoperators #usarmy #SOFOperators #sof
We were truly honored to be part of the Cobb International Film Festival and grateful for the opportunity to present the Veteran Director Award to "Worst Day Ever" and its talented director, Ryan Myhand.
Joshua Johnson, SOTF CEO, was honored to present the award and share a few words in celebration of the incredible talent and dedication behind the film. We deeply appreciated the opportunity to be part of such a special evening, recognizing the power of storytelling and the filmmakers who bring these stories to life.
@cobbinternationalfilmfestival @cinemyhand
400+ Fellows in our program.
256 currently receiving one-on-one coaching.
138 transitioned to the workforce YTD.
These numbers represent more than transitions. They represent Fellows building stronger businesses and stronger communities.
At SOTF, we’re proud to stand alongside our Fellows as they turn their experience, leadership, and skills into meaningful opportunities in the workforce.
Our Fellows are building what comes next--and we’re proud to be part of that journey.
Want to learn more about SOTF or get involved? Visit sotf.org/get-involved/ to learn how you can support our mission.
Competent Special Operations Forces cannot be created after emergencies occur.
Special Operations trains for the fights that haven`t happened yet. Success depends on contingency planning, cross-training, and ensuring every team member understands the mission, desired end state, and how to adapt when plans change.
Businesses benefit from the same mindset. Reactive hiring often leads to delays, lost opportunities, and leadership gaps. Proactive succession planning and developing emerging leaders help organizations stay prepared for promotions, turnover, and growth.
As Winston Churchill said, "To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment... What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour." Preparing future leaders isn`t optional—it`s one of a leader`s greatest responsibilities.
While technical skills can be taught, lasting success depends just as much on character. Special Operations identifies nine attributes that consistently predict high performance:
• Drive
• Resiliency
• Adaptability
• Humility
• Integrity
• Effective Intelligence
• Team-ability
• Curiosity
• Emotional Strength
These traits are difficult to teach but can be recognized and developed over time. Organizations that prioritize them in hiring and leadership development build stronger, more adaptable teams.
The Special Operators Transition Foundation (SOTF) provides organizations with a pipeline of pre-vetted, elite veteran leaders who have already proven these qualities through rigorous SOCOM-approved Assessment and Selection. Our Fellows are ready to bring the leadership, adaptability, and resilience that strengthen America`s best businesses and communities.
Our mission is simple: To provide the most tailored transition program for top-tier Special Operations leaders while helping organizations access exceptional veteran talent.
Josh Johnson
SOTF CEO
SOTF Alum
Retired Green Beret
We are proud to highlight three SOTF alumni who have stepped forward in meaningful ways to support our upcoming Nashville event series.
🇺🇸 Nick Copenhaver helped secure a golf team sponsorship for our charity tournament through his company.
🇺🇸 Kyle Devenezia serves on our Task Force and plays an active role in planning these events.
🇺🇸 Nick Salo helped his company donate an annual membership for our gala auction.
Their leadership reflects professional patriotism in action—honoring service, strengthening mission-aligned conversations, and ensuring those who defended our nation continue to lead here at home. We are grateful for their continued commitment to SOTF and to the Special Operators we serve!
A career in Special Operations builds leaders who thrive in complexity, solve impossible problems, and inspire teams under pressure. The challenge isn`t gaining new skills—it`s learning how to communicate the ones you already have.
Hear one Fellow share how SOTF helps him transform years of military experience into civilian career skills as he transitions out of the service.
If you`re ready for what`s next, apply to become a SOTF Fellow: www.sotf.org/apply.
#SOTF #LeadershipMadeInAmerica #SpecialOperations #MilitaryTransition #VeteranLeadership #SOF #CareerTransition
The SOTF team is excited to announce that Jeff Cobb has successfully transitioned into an Air Vehicle Operator role, piloting unmanned aircraft systems for @aevex_aerospace.
Jeff is a seasoned Special Operations leader who recently retired as a Civil Affairs Operations Sergeant from the 91st Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne). He served in both the @USNavy and the @USArmy, combining 21 years of dedicated service before retiring at the rank of Master Sergeant.
A snapshot of some of Jeff`s accomplishments includes:
🇺🇸 He has served in various leadership roles, including Special Operations Forces Liaison to Vietnam under Joint Task Force Indo-Pacific, Civil Affairs Team Sergeant with the 83rd Civil Affairs Battalion, Infantry Platoon Sergeant for 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, and Bomb Assembly Team Chief for Weapons Division, aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, CV-63.
🇺🇸 His new career with Aevex Aerospace will give him an opportunity to give back to the military, supporting U.S. national interests by training America’s warfighters to operate combat-proven drone platforms. This capability provides a tactical advantage in modern warfare and combat capability in a rapidly evolving battlespace.
🇺🇸 Jeff resides in Tampa, FL, with his wife, Brittany, and daughter, Ava, spending his free time shooting drone photography and providing aerial imaging solutions to clients.
“From Day 1, SOTF has helped me flip on all the right switches to prepare for my transition. The support, mentorship, and coaching helped me understand that knowing what I “want to do” next is the most important question to answer. Through the process, I gained the confidence I needed and realized what drives me. Because of that, I was able to focus my energy on the profession I wanted and go after it. I am eternally grateful to the SOTF team for what they do, and I recommend SOTF to all transitioning special operators.”
To learn more about Jeff’s incredible leadership journey, connect with him on LinkedIn.
#TransitionTuesday #SOTF #usarmy #SOFOperators #sof #specialoperators
As we look ahead to our upcoming Nashville Transition Workshop, we`re proud to partner with the companies that said, "Ask Me." They have stepped up to support our SOTF Fellows by serving as panelists, sharing their insights, experiences, and opportunities to help service members prepare for their next chapter. Thank you for answering the call and investing in those who have served.
Jayson Rivas, IMPACT Consulting
Cliff Van Rickley, @b9golfclarksville
Gary Khara, Rockwood Homes LLC
Nick Copenhaver, CFP®, @alliancebernstein
SaraBeth Beeton, @alliancebernstein
Tony Schweiss, @guntergroupconsulting
Clay Hart, @firstbankonline
Randy Risher, @bankofamerica
Lee Kaiser, @highspring_global
Nick Ridings, @lifeatclarishealth
Tate McDaniel, @lifeatclarishealth
Jeff McNeese, @lifeatclarishealth
Kyle Allen, @vaco_global
Jared Means, @apexservicepartners
Kai Hsu, @hotsaucetechnologies_
