ON THE COVER: The U.S. Army Special Operations Command History office website, arsof-history.org, included images of 1960’s and current ODA soldiers in its article “The Evolution of the Special Forces Operation Detachment-Alpha,” from Veritas, Vol. 19, No. 1, 2023 is featured in this month’s issue. (Photo courtesy U.S. Army)
In this issue:
A Long Beach Stalwart, The American Gold Star Manor
Chapter 78 President James McLanahan’s reports on his visit to the American Gold Star Manor, a unique community dedicated to serving Gold Star families, veterans, and seniors, for their Memorial Day/National Poppy Day ceremony.
Book Review From OSS to Green Berets: The Birth of Special Forces by Aaron Bank, Col. USA (Ret.)
MAJ John Byrnes reviews the memoir of Aaron Bank, referred to as the “Father of SF.” From OSS to Green Berets: The Birth of Special Forces for the Special Warfare Journal covers his Jedburgh days, working with Ho Chi Minh in Indochina, and more.
Eight Reasons Military Veterans Should Write
Robert Adolph draws on his Special Forces and State Department career, including surviving the Beirut embassy bombing, to argue that veterans should write—it sharpens the mind and preserves their stories for new generations.
The Evolution of the Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha
A brief look at the historic organization of the lowest Special Forces unit of action, the Operational Detachment-Alpha (ODA).
Special Forces and Operation Noble Obelisk (1997)
In October 1997, U.S. Special Forces were called upon to help evacuate American citizens and foreign nationals from the unrest in Sierra Leone. This article features John Friberg’s account of Operation Noble Obelisk, originally published in his SOF.News, offering a firsthand look at the mission and the role Special Forces played in the successful evacuation.
From USASOC’s Tip of the Spear, Lt. Cdr. Joshua Belk gives us a sitrep of SOF efforts in Africa presently and describes what is being done to accomplish the mission.
SFA Chapter 78 May 2026 Chapter Meeting
Guest speaker William B. (Bill) Scott presented a fascinating overview of his book Earthquake: Brigadier General Robert F. Titus.
WHAT’S NEW?
Nick Brokhausen – MACV-SOG on Vietnam War, Hand-to-Hand Combat and a Crazy Pet Monkey | SRS #276
Featured Channel: Shawn Ryan Show
Featured Playlist: MACV-SOG
Nick Brokhausen, a highly decorated U.S. Army Special Forces veteran, served in the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam–Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG) from 1970 to 1971. He was later assigned to Command and Control North (CCN) where he joined Recon Team Habu. He is the author of We Few: U.S. Special Forces in Vietnam and Whispers in the Tall Grass: Back Behind Enemy Lines with MACV-SOG.
Joe Kent – 75th Ranger Regiment – Special Forces, ISA (TFO), CIA’s Ground Branch
Featured Channel: The Reconnaissance Cast
Featured Playlist: Army Special Forces
Bud Gibson of The Reconnaissance Cast interviews Joe Kent, an American politician, former United States Army warrant officer, and former Central Intelligence Agency paramilitary officer who served as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center from 2025 to 2026.
John Stryker Meyer – Unveiling the Secrets of SOG : Untold Stories of the Vietnam War
Featured Channel: Veteran Success Story
Featured Playlist: MACV-SOG
Veteran Success Story interviews John Stryker Meyer, a Vietnam War combat veteran and author best known for Across the Fence, about his experiences in SOG’s secret war in Laos and Cambodia. Meyer discusses the challenges veterans face, the POW/MIA issue, his writing journey, reconnecting with fellow veterans, and the origins of his podcast, SOG Cast. The conversation underscores the importance of supporting veterans and preserving their stories for future generations.
Special Forces Candidates Navigate the Nasty Nick
Featured Channel: Soldier of Fortune Magazine
Special Forces candidates test their mettle on the Nasty Nick Obstacle course at the U.S. Army’s John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. The course was named after legendary Green Beret James “Nick” Rowe.
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SENTINEL Awards
- Awarded Special Forces Association Newsletter of the Year at SFA National Convention, June 2026
- The Golden Arrows for Excellence in Newsletters 2020 awarded by SFA National
- The Golden Arrows for Excellence in Newsletters 2019 awarded by SFA National
- The War Reporters Award, Presented by Alex Quade – (War Reporter and Film Producer) for Chapter 78 Sentinel’s Commitment documenting Special Forces History, July 2018
- Special Forces Association (SFA) Cross Arrow Award for Excellence, 2018, First Award Presented by SFA in this category
- Best Newsletter Award for 2017 from Special Forces Association National Board of Directors at the International Convention in Fayetteville, NC
- Awarded Golden Quill at SFA National Convention June 2015 and June 2016
- Awarded best Special Forces Association Monthly Newsletter at SFA National Convention June 2011 and 2014
The Sentinel is published monthly by Special Forces Association Chapter 78, Southern California — art direction and design by Debra Holm, Dinwiddie Holm Graphics. The views, opinions and articles printed in this issue do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Army or the United States Special Operations Command, the Special Forces Association, or Special Forces Association Chapter 78. Please address any comments to the editor at sfachapter78@gmail.com.
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