Who We Serve
Who We Support
Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) provides comprehensive educational support, from “cradle to career” (preschool – college), for the surviving children of Special Operations Personnel (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps) who lose their lives in the line of duty, as well as children of all Medal of Honor Recipients. SOWF also provides immediate financial assistance to severely wounded, ill, and injured Special Operations Personnel — today and in the future.
In 2022, eligibility was expanded to include the children of active-duty Special Operations Personnel who have lost a spouse– recognizing the critical role spouses play in the lives of our families. These children will now receive the same benefits as all other children in SOWF’s educational programs.
Pictured here is Emily Kraines, the surviving spouse of U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Peter Kraines, who lost his life in 2019 while serving with the 24th Special Operations Wing, with their two children, Hazel and Harbor.
Surviving Children of the following service members are eligible:
United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is made up of approximately 70,000 service members including, but not limited to, the groups listed below.
All soldiers assigned to or in support of U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC)
Special Forces (Green Berets), Rangers, Special Operations Aviators, Civil Affairs, Soldiers, Military Information Support, Operators, Training Cadre, and Sustainment Soldiers.
All Navy service members assigned to or in support of a Naval Special Warfare Command (NAVSPECWARCOM)
Sea, Air, Land (Navy SEALs), Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen (SWCC), and Enablers.
All airmen assigned to or in support of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)
Special Tactics, Special Operations Aviators, Support Air, and Commandos.
All Marines assigned to or in support of a Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC)
Critical Skills Operators, Special Operations Officers, Special Operations Capabilities Specialists, Special Operations Combat, and Services Specialists.
All active duty Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps personnel (special operators, support personnel, and enablers) assigned to, or in a command relationship with, a unit under the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) who die in the line of duty.
All Reserve and National Guard personnel assigned to a USSOCOM unit who die in the line of duty while participating in training, drill, active duty, as well as the following: while attending Joint Professional Military Education, fellowships, advanced service schools, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Military, when assigned to a USSOCOM unit-directed Joint, Service, Inter-Agency, Staff, or when assigned to Service Instructor duties that support Special Operations training.
Surviving Children Requirements:
Pictured here is Jared Thomas, the surviving son of U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jason Thomas, who lost his life in 2018 while serving with the 3rd Special Forces Group.
— Biological children of the deceased USSOCOM service member.
— All legally adopted children of the deceased USSOCOM service member. This includes children that may have been in the process of being adopted at the time of the service member’s death.
— All step-children of the deceased USSOCOM member.
— Children conceived but not yet born.
Children of all Medal of Honor Recipients:
In 2020, SOWF took a decisive step to honor Medal of Honor Recipients by expanding the eligibility of our scholarships program to include children of ALL Medal of Honor Recipients. Now all children of Medal of Honor Recipients receive fully funded educations, “cradle to career,” including college and technical schools. We believe that this is a tremendously impactful way to honor their service and sacrifice by collectively preparing their children for their futures.
SOWF Also Salutes Spouses:
In recognition of the faithful and loving support of spouses of Special Operations Personnel, SOWF has expanded eligibility for educational programs and services to include the children of active-duty Special Operations Personnel who lose their spouse (non-military or dual military), dating back to September 1, 2018. Their children will now receive the same “cradle-to-career” (preschool – college) benefits as all other children in SOWF’s educational programs.
If you have questions about eligibility, please submit a request here.
