10th Group Dojo Dedicated to Late Command Sergeant Major

Photo By Staff Sgt. Justin Smith | Frank Jr, Brenda, and Chad Socha stand in front of a memorial photo and plaque of the newly dedicated CSM Frank A. Socha Combatives Facility at the 10th Special Forces Group combatives complex on Fort Carson, Colorado, July 23, 2018. The late-Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Socha was husband to Brenda and father to Frank Jr. and Chad. He served as command sergeant major of 10th SFG (A) from 2009 to 2011 and passed away in December 2012. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Justin Smith)  

FORT CARSON, CO, UNITED STATES

07.23.2018

Story by Sgt. Justin Smith 

10th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Family and friends of the late Command Sgt. Maj. Frank A. Socha, former command sergeant major of the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), gathered at the Group combatives complex on July 23, 2018 for a dedication ceremony in his name.
Socha was command sergeant major of 10th SFG (A) from April 2009 to April 2011 and was instrumental in the creation of the combatives program within 10th Group.
“CSM Socha was passionate about taking care of Soldiers,” said Col. Thomas Vogel, the 10th Special Forces Group deputy commander. “But he was passionate about the way he did it too. He was dedicated to the belief that hard, realistic combat training would bring Soldiers home alive.”
After the keynote address, CSM Socha’s surviving wife, Brenda and two sons, Frank Jr. and Chad observed the unveiling of a memorial photo and plaque dedicating the dojo as the CSM Frank A. Socha Combatives Facility followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony at the doors of the dojo.
Soldiers from all over 10th Group came to witness the event and lend support to the family.
“I was shocked by the outcome and outpouring of love,” said Brenda. “It warms my heart.”
Frank Jr. was proud that even though a lot of people in Group didn’t know his father personally, they will know of him now and his legacy will live on.
Command Sgt. Maj. Socha passed away on December 13, 2012.
CSM Socha spent nearly all of his military career as a Green Beret in 10th Group at Fort Carson, working up through the ranks until his assumption of responsibility as the highest ranked enlisted leader in 2009 and participated in numerous operations spanning the entire globe. His awards include the Legion of Merit (One Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star Medal (Two Oak Leaf Clusters) and the Meritorious Service Medal (One Oak Leaf Cluster.)

• Date Taken: 07.23.2018
• Date Posted: 07.25.2018 16:26
• Story ID: 285709
• Location: FORT CARSON, CO, US