Special Forces Trust Team Celebrates CEO Jodi Burns as 2026 USSOCOM Patriot Award Recipient
Southern Pines, NC – March 10, 2026 — The team of the Special Forces Trust (SFT) proudly announces that Chief Executive Officer Jodi Burns has been named the 2026 USSOCOM Patriot Award Recipient, recognizing her extraordinary leadership and unwavering commitment to the Special Forces community.
While the award honors professional achievement, those who work alongside Burns describe something deeper — a leader who has built not only a successful organization, but a family united by mission, trust, and purpose.
Since becoming CEO in 2020, Burns has guided the Special Forces Trust to become the premier organization serving the Special Forces Regiment, establishing the most robust and comprehensive program platform dedicated specifically to Green Berets and their families. Under her leadership, more than $15.7 million has been invested directly into programs supporting mental health, family resiliency, education, and long-term care.
Her approach to leadership, shaped by her own lived experience as a longtime Special Operations spouse, has created a culture where team members feel empowered, valued, and deeply connected to the mission.
“Jodi doesn’t just lead from the top,” shared a member of the SFT team. “She brings people together and builds a family around the mission. She challenges us to grow, believes in us before we believe in ourselves, and creates an environment where everyone feels ownership in changing lives.”
Programs developed or expanded under her leadership include:
– Beyond the Battlefield, a stigma-free mental wellness platform reaching thousands of Green Berets and family members.
– Mettle & Moxie, a nationally recognized family resiliency initiative restoring connection & strengthening relationships.
– STRIVE Scholarships, investing in the children and future leaders of the Regiment.
– The Norma Donlon Caregiver Grant, providing one-time financial support to caregivers who continue serving their families long after the Special Forces uniform comes off.
Together, these initiatives represent more than programs — they represent a promise that no member of the Special Forces community stands alone.
The United States Special Operations Command Patriot Award recognizes individuals whose sustained service and leadership strengthen the Special Operations community. For the Special Forces Trust team, Burns’ recognition reflects not only measurable impact, but the rare ability to unite people around a shared vision of service.
For donors and partners, the organization’s growth under her leadership signals something powerful: a mission-driven community where investment turns directly into meaningful, lasting change.
As her team celebrates this milestone, their message is simple:
“She leads like family, and because of that, the impact feels personal to everyone who joins this mission.”
The USSOCOM Patriot Award will be formally presented to Jodi at the 2026 USSOCOM Warrior Care Program – Care Coalition Conference being held in Orlando, FL at the beginning of August.
Special Forces Trust – Built by the Brotherhood. Powered by Purpose.
About Special Forces Trust
Special Forces Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting U.S. Army Green Berets and their families through programs focused on wellness, purpose, and heritage. The Trust provides critical resources, education, and community-driven initiatives designed to serve the Special Forces community across generations.
Special Forces Trust
677 S Bennett Street
Southern Pines, NC 28387
910-725-7034
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