Seeks Your Participation in Phase Two Surveys

By John Padgett, MAJ, USSF (Ret.)

Following the 2024 gathering of information pertaining to Agent Orange exposure among Special Operations and Special Forces Vietnam veterans, it has been demonstrated that SOA and SF VN veterans’ experience rates of cancer greater than the general US adult population. These conclusions were presented at the Special Operations Association Reunion (SOAR) and published on the SOA and SOA Foundation websites and the January 2025 Sentinel. It was further determined that the rate of potential pass-through to SF and SOA veterans’ children and grandchildren was essentially the same as other VN vets. 

Phase Two of the Special Operations Association Foundation Agent Orange Legacy Project seeks to determine what illnesses have been sustained by our children and grandchildren, to what extent specific generations are involved, the nature of the illnesses, and other data. Once received and analyzed, the data will be presented at the next SOAR, forwarded to the Veterans Administration to bolster the case for compensation to families, published, and shared with our project’s attorney. The information should be useful to clinicians treating the families of our exposed SF and SOA veterans.

As with the previous study, all identifying information received by SOAF and representatives and/or our attorney will be kept absolutely confidential.

If you responded to the first survey, thank you, and please respond to this one. Even if you missed the first survey, your response to the second will be valuable. The survey will take five to ten minutes of your time. If Agent Orange has affected you or yours, please complete and return the survey. The survey will close August 1st, 2025, to allow for the analysis of data gathered. 

With thanks,
John E. Padgett, PA-C Emeritus, PhD
MAJ, US Special Forces (Ret), DMOR
Executive Director, Special Operations Assn. Foundation