What is the Special Forces Support Fund?

 

The Special Forces Support Fund™ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the sole mission of equipping our elite special forces soldiers with the mission-critical equipment necessary to keep them safe while abroad.  The SFSF was formed in 2018 when our founders learned how often special forces troops leave for deployment without all equipment they need; or their families left carrying the cost after sacrificing so much. This 501(c)(3) foundation exists to provide equipment needed by Green Berets on deployments, with every dime donated going straight to our troops.

We do not send care packages to these highly-trained soldiers. Instead, we focus on fulfilling the unmet, real-life needs surrounding the seasoned professional soldier's health, welfare, and performance. Whether it be a specialized bullet-proof vest for optimum protection or footwear designed to withstand harsh terrain, our donors amplify the soldier’s ability to adapt and accomplish their mission objectives.

The Special Forces Support Fund™ responds to mission-critical needs within 24 hours of receiving a request. Most importantly, there is absolutely no middle man. In the beginning, we worked alongside other nonprofits. However, we quickly ran into a hurdle that we realized we would face with each deployment: special forces soldiers aren’t on the “map”, per se. In other words, we didn’t have the luxury of sending items to these soldiers after deployment. We literally wouldn’t have access to their location unless we had direct support/communication from the Pentagon. 

A separate issue: special forces soldiers move quickly and covertly. Therefore, we could not guarantee accurate delivery when relying on sending equipment in the midst of deployments, all while replying on 3rd party assistance. 

So, in 2019, the Special Forces Support Fund™ initiated the modus operandi we employ today: we operate with no middleman, working directly with our liaisons in the teams to respond to the mission-critical needs of deployed special forces soldiers in active combat regions. We equip elite forces soldiers with specialized gear and equipment necessary to safely and successfully execute their work. We overcome delivery obstacles by promptly supplying these essentials, so that no soldier lacks the tools needed to complete the mission and come home.

What is a special forces soldier?

The term “special forces” is often misunderstood [blurb from wikipedia on SF v. SO]. When correctly used, the term “special forces soldier” refers to the special operation forces of the United States Army. In other words, Green Berets. 

Few civilians are really aware of what a Green Beret is. For an in-depth review, we’ve written a detailed article HERE. 

The dichotomy between Green Berets and military support comes down to one simple fact: their dedication to their credo of “the silent professional”. In other words, you won’t hear much about the actions of Green Berets, entirely by design. In a rare feature of Green Berets in pop culture, we recommend CHOSEN SOLDIER BOOK, or the film “12 strong”.

Why don’t special forces soldiers have what they need?

Weeks before a deployment, it was brought to the attention of the SFSF founders that some of the soldiers needed items such as body armor. These costs would be carried by the soldiers themselves, or their families. This simple question was the trajectory that resulted in the SFSF. Like yourselves, the reflexive response was a mixture of “of course we will help” and “what are you talking about”.

Years later, the answer to that question is still ongoing, but can be best summarized as follows:

  1. Response times. Elite forces soldiers are often asked to perform high-priority operational missions with little lead time. This is illustrated well in the movie “12 Strong”, which details the story of the “Horse Soldiers”, a group of Green Berets who served as America’s first response to 9/11. Within weeks of 9/11, a group of Green Berets were on the ground in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban. Unfortunately, while speedy requests are often required of our Green Berets, military requests aren't always processed at the speed in which mission orders are sent out.

  2. Speed of missions. Special Forces soldiers move fast, act fast, and are performing some of the most covert and dangerous missions we'll never know about. This means they have quickly evolving needs.

  3. High-level equipment for high-level ops. Special forces soldiers are trained for extremely high-level operations, which naturally requires high-level equipment. For example, instead of just regular batteries, they need 24-hour batteries for all-night missions. Instead of standard boots, they need boots that withstand the hours upon hours on their feet. Some equipment we send are actually the same gear some of our police officers use (who are funded on a municipal level). Simply put, sometimes our soldiers just don't have what they need.

  4. Failures of traditional funding. A big misconception is that Army special forces receive equipment that is the most up to date, cutting edge technology, of which there is an endless supply. While that may be true for certain weapons and other equipment, soldiers are not adequately supplied on a consistent basis with the day to day, fundamental needs. Uniforms, socks, t-shirts, boots, etc. are a few examples of the fundamental pieces of equipment that they need on a consistent basis and what is requested the most. What is provided through their traditional funding is neither regularly supplied nor is there enough for each soldier to have the necessary amount. Although most soldiers receive the bare minimum (some do not), their lethality increases when they are given that little extra to provide them with what they need in the most difficult times and environments

What we provide:

100% of our costs (including legal and operational costs) are absorbed by founders. Below are examples of items we have provided for recent deployments:

2021

  • Salomon Quest Boots 12

  • Salomon Ultra Winter Boots 12

  • YakTrax Traction Cleats 12

  • Gaiters 12

  • Ankle Stabilizer 1

  • Samsung Galaxy J8 case 12

  • Mid Boots 2

  • High Capacity 9m Magazines 24

  • Magpul Rifle Bipod 24

  • Rifle Sling and Swivel 24

  • V-Lite Blue Multi Mode 12

  • Warm Weather Assault gloves 14

  • 3M Peltor electronic protectors 1

  • Charge Pro 12

  • Glock 18 Magazines 24

  • Night Vision low profile Battery 6

  • Peltor mount 1

  • Surefire Scout Light switch 1

  • QD Sling swivel 24

  • Jedburgh Ruck Boots 3

  • Collapsible Pistol Stock 3

  • Back Panel Ammo carrier 3

  • Refrigerator Blood Cooler 1

  • Boss Rugby Shirts 6

  • lM17 holster 3

  • Pitbull Tactical panel 6

  • Assault Cummerbund 3

  • Mayflower Modified Gen IV placard 3

  •  Pitbull Mag-carrier 3

  • Ferro Concepts Back Panel 3

  • Salomon Forces Speed Assault boots 3

“As a detachment commander it was a blessing to receive the generous support from SFSF. They took every opportunity to send continuous support while deployed. They cared for my team as family and for that I will always be thankful.”

How to Support: 

We are a 100% donation reliant 501c3. When our soldiers contact us, we pull every available resource to immediately meet the need. Our support is derived in 3 specific ways:

All donations are tax deductible

 
Paige Hulse