They’re known by many names — Army Rangers, Green Berets, Night Stalkers, Delta Force, Navy SEALS, SWCC, Air Force Special Tactics and Marine Raiders.
They are the U.S. military’s Special Operations Forces (SOF) and they represent the most elite warriors in all branches of the U.S. armed forces.
“They’re tasked with carrying out the military’s most secretive and specialized missions,” missions that are “extreme in risk, precise in execution, and able to deliver a high payoff, the impacts of which will be felt for decades,” states the military’s Special Operations Forces Reference Manual.
But some of those missions have other lasting impacts — physical, mental, visible and invisible — on the fighters and on the families that welcome them home.
Enter Task Force Dagger. The nonprofit “provides assistance to more than 1,000 Special Operations Forces members and their families through programs crafted to heal, rebuild and empower, providing them with mission, purpose, and focus.”
The SOF community “is first in, last out, and adopts an intense training and deployment tempo that has a ripple effect on their families and their health,” states the nonprofit’s website. “The needs of these families and service members are the top priority for Task Force Dagger and the foundation of our programs.”
The Key West community, both military and civilian, has made one of those programs possible for the past 13 years and will once again welcome 10 Special Operations members and their families, plus 60 volunteers, to the island June 14-21 for its flagship Dagger Dive event.
It offers SOF families a week of:
- Adaptive dive certification and wellness-focused activities.
- Peer support and reconnection among warriors, spouses and children.
- Opportunities for recovery in a setting that promotes resilience, rest, and renewal.
“Since its inception in 2011, Dagger Dive has thrived because of the generosity and spirit of the Key West community,” the website states. “The program’s success is directly tied to the support of local businesses, residents and volunteers who come together to create a week of healing, connection, and care for Special Operations families.
“From donating dive boats and offering access to local attractions, to providing in-kind meals, accommodations, and their time and expertise — Key West plays an essential role in bringing Dagger Dive to life each year. The community’s support is what makes this life-changing experience possible.”
Special Operations members and their families will stay at Opal Key Resort, receive dive training — adapted for specialized injuries — and certification at the U.S. Army’s Special Forces Underwater Operations School on Fleming Key. They’ll also enjoy tours, sunset cruises, meals, and, finally, two days of open water dives aboard local dive boats.
To support this year’s Dagger Dive through sponsorships or in-kind donations, contact Jillian Andrews, director of development at Jillian.Andrews@taskforcedagger.org.
