Dr. Joseph Long is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces officer, leadership scholar, author, and public speaker. Dr. Long sits on the Board of Directors for the Leader Transition Institute (LTI), serves as Director of the Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI) SOF Program, and is an Advisory Board Member for the Special Operations Association of America (SOAA). He is also a 2025 IWI Non-Resident Fellow and a former Professor of Leadership and Ethics at the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU).

Dr. Long’s academic and professional focus centers on preparing SOF leaders for population-centric and irregular warfare, with particular emphasis on partner force development, ethical decision-making in complex SOF environments, and relational leadership in cross-cultural contexts. His current research examines leadership models for indigenous forces and populations operating under conditions of uncertainty and conflict.

During his military career, Dr. Long commanded an Operational Detachment-Alpha (ODA) in 1st Special Forces Group, contributed to doctrine development for the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command, and served as Director of Personnel Policy for the Special Forces Regiment. His awards include the Special Forces Tab, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and the Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device.

Dr. Long is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, holds a master’s degree from the Naval Postgraduate School, and earned his doctorate from the University of Charleston. He lives with his family in Old Town, Alexandria, and is an avid cyclist, swimmer, and traveler.