Army Rangers, Navy Seals and Green Berets are among the U.S. military’s special operations forces who perform the most dangerous missions. In 2011, a group of these brave soldiers were about to exit their military service after completing Operation Neptune Spear: the killing of Osama Bin Laden.

On May 2, 2011, a Central Intelligence Agency joint mission with U.S. Special Forces succeeded in killing Bin Laden who had successfully evaded capture for over a decade. Many of these special operators were about to return home and transition into a new career. Many wanted to enter the business world, but lacked the specific executive skills and training. Carol Davis and Steve Rosser are Boothbay Harbor summer residents. In 2011, Davis was one of the founders of a new organization to mentor these returning military special operators as they transition into the business world. 

A program now called the Special Operators Transition Foundation (SOTF) began. The program lasts 12-18 months as special operators receive executive coaching, self-assessment testing, interviewing and resume writing training.  “Just imagine you’ve completed one of the most important military operations in recent American history: capturing Osama Bin Laden. How do you put something like that on a resume,” Rosser said.

The program currently has 276 retired special forces members. Last year, Davis and Rosser were looking to bring an SOTF fundraiser to the Northeast. Being summer residents, Davis and Rosser chose Boothbay Harbor for an August 2024 fundraiser. The couple contacted Paul and Giselaine Coulombe about hosting a fundraiser. Rosser, Davis and SOTF CEO Austin Moore and Director of Development and Corporate Engagement Bobby Payne met the Coulombes last year for dinner in Boothbay Harbor. “Paul and Giselaine were very excited about hosting the event and began planning immediately,” Davis said. 

Moore reported the retired special forces members go through an extensive application process. The program costs $6,500 per applicant. The Boothbay Harbor fundraiser was held Aug. 15 at Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Golf Resort. Organizers had a $250,000 goal for the private event. About two dozen attended including former U.S. Congressman Bruce Poliquin, who lives in Georgetown.

Prior to the event, SOTF officials presented Paul Coulombe with a plaque mounted with a custom-made rifle. “The ‘mag’ is from Rob O’Neill’s rifle, the man who shot Osama Bin Laden,” said Moore, who is also a former SOTF participant.   

Of the nearly 300 current program participants, most will enter the executive field with starting salaries over $140,000 per year, according to Moore.