“I had been wounded several times during my career in Special Operations but at the same time I was very lucky. Others weren’t, so for me serving our Special Operations members and their Families is in a way, my therapy. I am blessed and honored to serve them.”
Mark Stephens retired after serving 21(+) years in Army Special Operations. His first assignments were with United States Army Special Forces in Okinawa, Japan and Fort Bragg, NC. Later Mark was selected and spent 3/4 of his time in the military with the Nation’s Special Mission Unit, as a Special Operations Operator in numerous positions. With over 17 deployments, some of Mark’s combat / real world operational deployments include 3 deployments to Iraq for OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, 3 deployments to Afghanistan for OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (to include being first boots on the ground as part of TASK FORCE SWORD), Somalia (OPERATION GOTHIC SERPENT / Battle of Mogadishu), in Colombia (Cartel operations), in the Balkans / Bosnia (Persons Indicted For War Crimes operations and Diplomatic High Threat protection), other significant real world classified operational / combat deployments include Honduras (OPERATION GOLDEN PHEASANT), Panama, Middle East, Europe, counter-narcotics operations with the USCG and other.
Mark Stephens’ highest awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, 4 Bronze Stars (for Heroism/Combat), 4 Purple Hearts (1-Somalia, 2-Afghanistan & 1-Iraq), Defense Meritorious Service Medal. Mark also received the United States President’s Volunteer Award. In 2022, Mark was inducted into the USSOCOM Commando Hall of Honor.
Mark Stephens is the Sr. Executive Director for Strategic Development at Cubic Corp. Mark has been volunteering with Task Force Dagger Special Operations Foundation since 2011 and joined the Executive Board of Directors in 2015. He is also a member of The Explorers Club and on the Advisory Board of the Global SOF Foundation.