The U.S. Army has issued a rare and serious warning to retired special operations personnel in Florida, citing a credible terrorist threat that targets former Defense Department officials who served in Syria and Iraq.
The warning, originating from the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), was confirmed Friday by Lt. Col. Allie Scott, a spokesperson for the command.
The threat advisory, first reported by The New York Times, stems from a “Duty to Warn” notification that has circulated widely across social media platforms.
The memo was signed by USASOC Provost Marshal Col. Mark A. Katz and has since been authenticated by Army officials.
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“It’s a credible threat,” Lt. Col. Scott told Task & Purpose. “We issued that warning, as we do with all credible threats, we issued those to our formations because, of course, the security and safety of all our personnel is important.”
While specifics remain classified, the alert is believed to focus on retired senior officials—individuals who played pivotal roles in military campaigns in the Middle East and now reside in Florida.
According to Scott, those directly impacted have been notified by the Army, although she declined to identify the individuals or share further details about what triggered the concern.
“I would say that there was information that was credible enough to provide this level of reporting to our formation,” she added.
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The geographic focus of the warning—Florida—has raised eyebrows due to its concentration of high-level military commands.
The state is home to U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), both based out of MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.
Additionally, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) is headquartered in Miami. This makes Florida a hub for both current and retired military personnel, including many who played key roles in counterterrorism operations.
Since 2014, the United States has spearheaded a multinational military coalition to dismantle the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria. U.S. Special Operations Forces have taken the lead in many high-stakes missions to eliminate senior ISIS leaders.
In March of this year, the U.S. military announced that it had killed ISIS’ second-in-command in a targeted strike in western Iraq.
While ISIS no longer holds territory, its ideology and network remain a global threat, with some factions continuing to plan and inspire attacks.
The “Duty to Warn” alert issued Thursday does not specify the nature of the threat or who may be behind it.
However, the notification underscores the ongoing risk faced by individuals who were closely involved in America’s fight against terrorism—even after leaving military service.
Although no current active-duty service members appear to be targeted, USASOC is urging vigilance among all its personnel.
The command has advised soldiers to maintain situational awareness, report any suspicious activity, and share the warning with any retired special operators residing in Florida.
“While the threat may not apply to every individual, our message is clear: remain alert and ensure this information gets to those who may be at risk,” Scott emphasized.
Such “Duty to Warn” notices are standard practice when the U.S. government determines that individuals may be the target of a foreign or domestic threat.
They reflect a moral and operational responsibility to ensure those who served—especially those involved in sensitive or high-profile operations—are protected even in retirement.
This latest threat alert serves as a sobering reminder that America's adversaries, including terrorist groups like ISIS, often hold long memories and may attempt retaliation years after the battlefield has gone silent.
As the Army continues to assess the situation, former special operators and the broader military community are reminded that vigilance is not just for those in uniform—but also for those who once wore it with distinction.
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