Special Operations Association of America

America's Defense Runs on Minerals We Don't Control Last November, Beijing announced export restrictions on antimony. A single policy shift that gave China veto power over a critical component of American ammunition, aircraft fireproofing, and night-vision systems. The United States uses roughly 600 metric tons of antimony annually, but we produce none of it.This isn't a supply chain issue. It's a sovereignty crisis hiding in plain sight. Here's what makes it worse: America has the deposits. One project in Idaho could supply a third of U.S. demand. The company has been navigating federal permits for nearly a decade. Average timeline from discovery to production? 29 years. The only country with a slower permitting system globally is Papua New Guinea. The bureaucratic maze isn't accidental. Bureau of Land Management. Forest Service. State regulators. Federal agencies with competing mandates and no coordination. One official can stall a third of Nevada's exploration projects. Meanwhile, Argentina cut taxes and signed a 30-year stability pact. Saudi Arabia has opened its doors to mining investments. Australia and Canada provide regulatory certainty. The result? Billions in private capital flowing anywhere but here and taking the expertise and jobs with it. The workforce crisis compounds it further. Mining engineers and geologists are retiring and universities aren't replacing them. The next generation chooses tech and finance over the industries that keep the defense industry operating. Every F-35, Patriot missile, and submarine starts with what comes out of the ground. Beijing and Moscow both know this. The question is whether Washington will act before the next export restriction turns dependence into a potential surrender. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/eydZTq-4 SOAA Board member Eric Muschinski exemplifies the organization’s mission to keep America safe by spotlighting critical shortfalls in U.S. strategic mineral mining.

America's Special Operations community carries unique credibility in the Second Amendment space. When veterans speak about responsibility, mental health, and peer intervention, people listen. SOAA is partnering with HOP Munitions to bridge a gap the firearms industry has struggled to address: the intersection of responsible ownership and mental wellness. For operators, weapon safety doesn’t stop at the range. It included recognizing when a teammate is struggling, knowing how to intervene, and understanding that asking for help demonstrated strength, not weakness. This partnership addresses tangible issues: safe storage practices, early PTSD recognition, blast overpressure effects on cognitive health, and community-based intervention strategies. The #veteran community has earned the right to lead these conversations. HOP Munitions, as a veteran-owned manufacturer, brings both quality American-made ammunition and a perspective that understands the full weight of firearm responsibility. Change doesn't begin with legislation or lobbying. It starts when manufacturers, veterans, and #MentalHealth advocates decide to work together. The goal isn't restriction, it's elevation—raising safety standards while supporting holistic approaches to veteran wellness and responsible ownership. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eFvAdHDa

The Jax Act has been reintroduced! Rep. Darrell Issa has reintroduced legislation to finally recognize women CST veterans who served in combat alongside our Special Operations Forces. Named after SOAA board member 🔥 Jax S., this bill ensures these warriors get the benefits they earned. It's time to keep our promise. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eBSNjdQw

Defense innovation isn't broken, the culture is. Learn how smartphone sensors in Ukraine exposed a truth: our biggest obstacle isn't technology, it's how we think about getting it to warfighters fast. Learn more about what can be done here https://lnkd.in/emfUj7vD Luis Avila

Enduring security depends on the ability to anticipate threats, maintain operational flexibility, and ensure that critical systems are dependable under pressure. The SOAA and Leonid Capital Partners alignment forms a complementary alliance, linking the expertise of those who have served with the innovation of those shaping the next generation of defense capability. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eNdbAEgv

Veterans like me, and our families, have suffered far too long without justice. Many have died without answers. We cannot afford to wait any longer. That’s why I want to thank Congressman Pat Harrigan for co-sponsoring the Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act of 2025 (H.R.4145). My life was forever changed by the toxic water I was exposed to at Camp Lejeune during my service to our country. Following my service in the Marine Corps, I suffered a series of health issues, including prostate cancer caused by the contaminated water I drank and bathed in while stationed there. Thank you, Congressman Harrigan, for standing with your fellow service members and their families. We appreciate your leadership and we hope that you will continue to be a champion on this issue in the halls of Congress. Your voice can make a difference in ensuring justice is no longer delayed. Collin Sabine