Green Beret Foundation Merger with OASIS Group

San Antonio, TX, February 26, 2019 – The Green Beret Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting soldiers of the U.S. Army Special Operations Forces (SOF) and their families, is pleased to announce a merger with the Operational Advocates Supporting Injured SOF (OASIS) Group. By absorbing OASIS Group, the Foundation will gain additional expertise and assets, which will provide a robust addition to existing services.

OASIS Group was founded in 2009 by two retired Green Berets, Bart Heimsness and John Armezzani, medics with extensive experience in the Veterans Administration (VA) disability compensation claims processes. Bart has since passed away but Mr. Armezzani and other OASIS associates have assisted thousands in the SOF community, and have provided the VA with a more transparent, complete, and realistic portrayal of compensable conditions experience by our SOF warriors.

“Special Forces soldiers face unique challenges when they return from combat, and many of the VA’s existing disability processes are not able to serve this community effectively,” explains Mr. Armezzani, elaborating: “OASIS Group has, for years, recognized this lack of support and have built an organization that lays the groundwork for our soldiers transitioning back into civilian life. By merging with Green Beret Foundation we’ll be able to advance this cause even further.”

OASIS Group’s services will provide a unique and tailored VA claims assistance program for transitioning Green Berets and will ensure that these veterans fairly evaluated and receive the benefits to which they are entitled, including VA healthcare and Vocational Rehabilitation programs. This also will allow the Foundation to increase benefits to Green Berets, and will become the first Special Operations Forces charity to offer this type of service. In addition, this merger will make the Foundation a VA-recognized Veterans Service Organization, which will allow the Foundation to provide representation for VA claims and appeals.

“This is the next phase for our Foundation and builds off of years of incredible work helping our Special Forces,” explains Frances Arias, Director of Operations for the Green Beret Foundation. “With this new designation, we will be able to further bolster our transition assistance program within the Next Ridgeline project,” she says.

To ensure a seamless execution of these new services, Mr. Armezzani has joined the Foundation to oversee the program. Mr. Armezzani spent more than three decades serving the country; first as an Army National Guard Infantryman, then as an active duty Medical Sergeant, Intelligence Sergeant, and Operations Sergeant on Special Forces Operational Detachments. He retired in 2001, and spent 11 years working at the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

“John has been in service to our country for most of his adult life, and there is no one better qualified to handle this exciting new program at the Foundation,” said Vice Chairman of the Foundation Board, Sergeant Major (Ret.) James Kestor. “With John’s help, our Foundation will be able to help more of our special forces and their families than ever before.”

The Foundation expects OASIS’s programs to come online in March 2019.

About the Green Beret Foundation: Founded in 2009, the Green Beret Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the longterm health of the Green Beret community. The Foundation answers the call of the Green Berets and their families so that they can succeed in their next mission. Green Berets serve a little understood mission and face unique challenges when they come home. To aid in the transitions of Green Berets and their families, the Foundation provides casualty support, extended care support, family support and transition support.

For more information, visit the Green Beret Foundation