The SFA convention in Las Vegas consisted of four days of nonstop activities, laboriously planned and expertly executed by Chapter 51 and cosponsored by Chapter 78. It was an opportunity for Special Forces soldiers and veterans to meet old friends and make new ones in a relaxed and patriotic environment. The busy schedule consisted of many interesting symposiums, special events, and off-site activities, all of which were well attended. The hub of the weekend was the main hospitality room where attendees gathered all day long between events.
Symposiums — Topics included historical activities covering much of Special Forces’ involvement over the last 80 years, from Jedburgh history through our most recent involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Special Events and Activities — These included the Butler Purple Heart race, with a pool deck picnic and party following the race, a Death Valley motorcycle ride, a Valley of Fire tour, an Outlet Shopping Mall tour, a Mob Museum tour, and a golf tournament at Nellis Air Force Base.
Detailed briefings and training presented by the SFA staff on the new software and website, Teamhouse Online. This revolutionary software will give all members and chapters the opportunity to completely integrate the management of information and communications within the chapters, and between the chapters and the Association.
The closing banquet was spectacular. It was an appropriate ending to what was perhaps the most successful convention in Special Forces history. The event as a whole reminded all participants of the important role that they played in our nation’s history since the founding of Special Forces.
Symposium Speaker Videos
Wade Ishimoto
Wade Ishimoto spoke at the Special Forces Convention on October 23, 2021. Wade discussed the birth of Delta Force, the fine details of the Iran Hostage Rescue Mission, and how it led to the robust counterterrorism force we have today.
Mitch Utterback
Mitch Utterback spoke about the origins of SF, focusing largely on the international nature of the Jedberg teams of the WWII OSS at the Special Operations Association Convention on October 22, 2021.
Gus Taylor
Gus Taylor spoke at the Special Forces Association Convention on October 25, 2021. Gus talked about such diverse threatres as Central America, Iran, Afghanistan and Vietnam — lessons learned, what needs to be learned/relearned from Afghanistan and Vietnam, and how to help our Afghan allies.
Jocko Willink
Jocko Willink spoke at the Special Force Association Convention on October 25, 2021. A retired U.S. Navy SEAL officer, co-author of the #1 New York Times bestseller “Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEAL’s Lead and Win, Dochotomy of Leadership,” co-founder of Echelon Front, where he serves as CEO, instructor, speaker and strategic advisor, and, lastly, creator and host of the top-rated Jocko Podcast (jockopodcast.com), talked about the SEALs, SF, the way he goes about life and how the most important quality, as with SF, is character.
John Stryker Meyer
MACV-SOG veteran and member of SFA Chapter 78, author John Stryker Meyer, AKA “Tilt”, spoke about his experiences as a Green Beret within SOG in Vietnam at the Special Forces Convention on October 23, 2021.
Dennis DeRosia
Dennis DeRosia spoke at the SF Medic Forum along with active duty SWC instructors at the Special Forces Association Convention on October 24, 2021.
Chris Miller
Chris Miller, former Acting United States Secretary of Defense, spoke at the Special Forces Association Convention on October 24, 2021.
