Assisting former members of Afghan Special Forces and their families resettling in the United States

The Corioli Institute, in collaboration with Honor the Promise, has played a pivotal role in supporting a number of Afghan National Army Special Operations Commando (ANASOC) veterans and their families. Serving as a catalyst and connector, the Institute has assisted newly-arrived ANASOC members and their families in building resilience as they resettle in the U.S. The goal was to enable them to pursue their American Dream, become integral members of American society, and foster a profound sense of belonging.

In conducting 36 semi-structured interviews and surveys across the U.S. over five months, the Corioli team aimed to authentically narrate the stories of war and the transition out of it through the fighters' own words.
These interviews capture narratives of ANASOC members’ service in Afghanistan, their evacuation from Kabul to the U.S., their journey of being an immigrant and a reintegrating former combatant, and finally their vision of their future life and American dream. The resulting policy paper titled "Afghan Allies Out of War: Addressing the Needs of the Afghan Special Operations Forces Community and their Families in the United States" explores the challenges faced by ex-ANASOC soldiers who resettled in the U.S. following the withdrawal from Afghanistan, delving into leadership dynamics, evacuation disparities, family reunification struggles, language barriers, and psychosocial stress.

The comprehensive recommendations outlined in the paper advocate for designating ANASOC veterans for Special Immigrant Visas, streamlining family reunification processes, facilitating military service pathways, providing language and education support, and establishing robust psychosocial service frameworks. By implementing these measures, not only would the sacrifices of these veterans be honored, but national security would be strengthened, partnerships reinforced, and a valuable contribution made to the American workforce. The policy paper gained widespread traction, reaching many individuals active in the ANASOC community and involved in the resettlement of Afghan allies.