Task & Purpose Task & Purpose

Pete Kiernan

Peter James Kiernan

Pete Kiernan is the president and founder of the Ivy League Veterans Council, an organization dedicated to addressing the structural, cultural, and institutional barriers barring veterans from equal access to top colleges and universities. He is currently a student-athlete at Columbia University, member of the Truman National Security Project, and former MARSOC Raider.

Recent articles from Peter James Kiernan

A sergeant with a Marine Special Operations Team urges Afghan National Army Commandos to move together during a drill at a rifle range outside their compound in Herat, Afghanistan, Nov. 6, 2010.
Opinion
A Former MARSOC Raider Explains How The Travel Ban Endangers Special Operations Forces
Special operations forces rely on trust and respect with Muslim partners to do their jobs. Trump’s ban just broke that trust.
In this Sept. 15, 2015, photo, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event aboard the retired ship USS Iowa in Los Angeles. The Associated Press has learned that the Internal Revenue Service has revoked the non-profit status of Veterans for a Strong America, the veterans organization that hosted Trump’s foreign policy speech. Veterans for a Strong America is headed by Joel Arends, a veteran and conservative campaign operative. Arends told the AP he disagrees with the IRS’s determination and is appealing. He would not provide a copy of any tax returns the group had filed. The IRS automatically revokes any group’s non-profit status if it fails to file returns for three consecutive years.
News
Why I Challenged Donald Trump To Release His Tax Returns
A MARSOC Marine veteran explains why he’s raising money that will only go to vet groups once Trump releases his taxes.
U.S. Marine Cpl. Jett M. Kack fires his M40A3 Rifle during a known distance qualification at Hathcock Range, Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 7, 2015.
Joining the Military
5 Things I Learned From The Marine Corps’ Scout Sniper School
A former Marine scout sniper shares life lessons from the Marine Corps’ Scout Sniper Basic Course.
MARSOC training
Joining the Military
How To Become A MARSOC Raider In 3 Steps
A former MARSOC Raider shares tips on how he made it through assessment and selection. It’s not physical, it’s mental.
Marine Afghanistan Iran
History
As A Special Operator, I Almost Went Into Iran
A former member of special operations shares what it was like to be hours away from the first boots on the ground in Iran.
Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command and Afghan Commandos conduct a two-day presence patrol in Farah province Feb. 27. Marines with MARSOC's 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion recently returned from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan, where they commanded the Special Operations Task Force - West and oversaw one of Afghanistan's bloodiest regions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released)
Community
UNSUNG HEROES: A Special Tribute To The Families Of Fallen Warriors
Two weeks ago, I buried yet another friend killed in the war on terror. Rereading his obituary, there is an odd little sentence at the end.