Operation Hawkeye: “Extortion 17” and Beyond

HJ:  That’s fantastic!  Tell us a little more about Operation Hawkeye’s early days.

WT:  When Operation Hawkeye began, it was just me in my driveway with encouragement  from my neighbors and family.  I had no idea what would happen.  When Gold Star families asked me to continue and expand the mission, I started reaching out to see if others would like to be involved.  I began with companies involved with basketball, especially those that said they supported the military.  I would say about half the companies didn’t respond at all.  Of the rest, about half said they already supported the military in other ways.  When I told them I wasn’t asking them for time or money but just to stand with me to send a message, most of them still passed.  The remaining 25% took a real interest in the mission and are involved in some way or another.  Some, like Nike, Sig Sauer, Heckler & Koch,  Fathead, Wiley X, and LBX donate items that we use to leverage support from the public.  Others just stand with me and help promote awareness using their platforms. As the athletic element stretches beyond basketball, we are beginning to reach out around other team sports, and will hopefully be able to put together some neat things in the future.

HJ:  How did you pick which companies and which SOF organizations/personnel to engage?

WT:  I basically started from scratch when it came to working with private companies involved with Special Operations.  Working with my dad, we tried to learn who supported the teams (or at least said they did.)  In some cases, we could find them on Facebook or LinkedIn.  In others, I just went through the lists of companies at SOFIC, WARRIOR EXPO, AUSA, Global SOF Foundation etc. to try to identify the players.  One thing I noticed early on was the bridge between shooting sports and tactical gear and the teams.  I basically write the senior person, or we try to figure out if any former SOF warriors are at the company.  They usually understand what I am trying to do.  Most of the events happen while I’m at school, but I have been able to exhibit at AUSA and WARRIOR EXPO, and my dad has been able to go to SOFIC and SHOT Show.  These events have been helpful, especially as opportunities to explain the mission to others, and to thank so many people that have stood with me to make this a team effort.  I have also done a lot of research to learn about the different units, how the elements fit together, and who does what.  I’ve done the same for the nonprofits, with guidance from Gold Star families, the SOCOM Care Coalition, and the operator community.

WT:  As with the sports companies, a lot of SOF companies don’t respond or will politely decline to get involved, often because they already do a lot to support the community through other organizations. That’s OK.  I’m just glad they are helping.  But I am really grateful that hundreds of other companies on our mission roster, ranging from global companies to local gun shops and shooting ranges, participate in the mission.  Some help get the word out, others donate services or products, others partner on branded gear offerings, some will donate $$ or a major portion of proceeds to SOF nonprofits through or ops.  New companies step up every week.  It is really amazing.

HJ:  Can you name some of the specific companies who are helping you out with this effort?

WT:  Here’s a list of some of them, http://www.ophawkeye.com/enterprises/.  Companies that are especially involved are listed as Game Changers, http://www.ophawkeye.com/game-changers/.  We also have branded gear collaborations underway, including morale patch and CamelBak water bottles offered by US Patriot Tactical, a shirt platform with Grunt Style benefiting Gold Star kids, a shemagh and other cool items in the pipeline with Combat Flip Flops, and a hat/morale patch offering working with RE Factor Tactical.  Another way I will be looking to leverage private company support is through a huge Veteran’s Day week online auction at Gunbroker.com.  We have over 70 companies lined up already, and my goal is to triple that number over the summer.  Every company involved in the mission fully embraces the cause, and sees it as a pretty personal way to show their support for this community.  It is a very different relationship than they might have with one of the large nonprofits.  I reach out to recruit more enterprise every week, and little by little the team keeps growing.

HJ:  That’s pretty impressive, especially given the fact that you’re still in high school.  What is next for you personally?

WT:  After I graduate in a couple of years, my goal is to combine pre-professional studies with baseball at a college or university that promotes excellence in both academics and athletics. Wherever I end up, I will also continue working to do what I can for the Special Operations community through  Operation Hawkeye

HJ:  Do you see yourself following in the footsteps of the men you are supporting, and joining the Special Operations community one day?

WT:  I respect and admire all those serving in our Special Operations forces but don’t think it is in my future.

HJ:  You know, my old boss Admiral (Ret.) McRaven, the former commander of both JSOC and SOCOM, was a SEAL and was quite a baller himself.  Do you think you could take him in 1 on 1?

WT:  So funny and ironic that you should mention that! Admiral McRaven actually visited me at my house a couple years back and we played a little pickup ball in my driveway. We were on the same team so I’m not sure who would take the game of one-on-one, but it was a lot of fun playing together.  He has been very kind in supporting the mission and, along with other current and former operators, helping me understand why Operation Hawkeye matters to their community.

HJ:  Hahaha, that’s awesome!  McRaven always was a team player.  Is there anything else you’d like to ad? 

WT:  Anyone can be part of the team.   Just like the Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/operationhawkeye !

Any person interested in supporting participation of Special Operations Gold Star youth in programs developed just for them by Gold Star Teen Adventures and THE STATION Foundation can do so by purchasing an Operation Hawkeye GS 115 shirt from Grunt Style at http://www.gruntstyle.com/custom-shirts/operation-hawkeye-3.html .

Any enterprise or individual wishing to support the causes and loved ones of the EXTORTION 17 heroes through our mission can do so by donating items or services through the TEAM 31 AUCTION on Gunbroker.com the week of Veteran’s Day 2015, http://www.ophawkeye.com/online-auction-form .

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