Dr. Joseph Long is a retired Green Beret, leadership scholar, and academic author currently serving as the Deputy Director of the HQDA G3 SOD for the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). He serves as a 2025 IWI Non-Resident Fellow, Special Operations Association of America (SOAA) Advisory Board Member, and former Professor of Leadership and Ethics at the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU).

As an academic, Dr. Long’s passion is optimizing leaders for the future of population-centric warfare with a focus on partner force and population-focused leadership development. He has authored numerous publications and as serves as a frequent keynote speaker, podcast guest, panel member, and guest lecturer. Dr. Long’s continuing research focuses on ethical decision-making in complex SOF environments and championing relational leadership for leading indigenous partner forces and populations in Irregular and Population-Centric warfare contexts.

During his military career, Joe served as an Operational Detachment Commander in the 1st Special Forces Group, wrote doctrine for the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command, and was Director of Proponency for the Special Forces Regiment. His awards and decorations include the Special Forces Tab, Military Freefall Parachutists wings, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and Army Commendation Medal with ‘V’ Device.

Dr. Long has a bachelor’s degree from the United States Military Academy, a master’s degree from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Doctorate degree from the University of Charleston. He completed his doctoral dissertation on leading guerilla forces in Unconventional and Irregular Warfare contexts, emphasizing relational and cross-cultural leadership styles. Joe lives in Old Town, Alexandria with his family and is an avid cyclist and competitive swimmer.

Dr. Joseph Long is a retired Green Beret, leadership scholar, and academic author currently serving as the Deputy Director of the HQDA G3 SOD for the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). He serves as a 2025 IWI Non-Resident Fellow, Special Operations Association of America (SOAA) Advisory Board Member, and former Professor of Leadership and Ethics at the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU).

As an academic, Dr. Long’s passion is optimizing leaders for the future of population-centric warfare with a focus on partner force and population-focused leadership development. He has authored numerous publications and as serves as a frequent keynote speaker, podcast guest, panel member, and guest lecturer. Dr. Long’s continuing research focuses on ethical decision-making in complex SOF environments and championing relational leadership for leading indigenous partner forces and populations in Irregular and Population-Centric warfare contexts.

During his military career, Joe served as an Operational Detachment Commander in the 1st Special Forces Group, wrote doctrine for the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command, and was Director of Proponency for the Special Forces Regiment. His awards and decorations include the Special Forces Tab, Military Freefall Parachutists wings, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and Army Commendation Medal with ‘V’ Device.

Dr. Long has a bachelor’s degree from the United States Military Academy, a master’s degree from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Doctorate degree from the University of Charleston. He completed his doctoral dissertation on leading guerilla forces in Unconventional and Irregular Warfare contexts, emphasizing relational and cross-cultural leadership styles. Joe lives in Old Town, Alexandria with his family and is an avid cyclist and competitive swimmer.