Page 4 - JSOM Winter 2024

fellow Soldiers in multiple combat zones. The World will miss John Detro, COL (Ret), strategic thinker/healthcare ex­
his ability to lead from the front, his willingness to assist with ecutive/leader/mentor/educator/veteran advocate —
almost anything you asked of him, and his calm and direct We use the word Legend too frequently, but Rocky was
ability to manage most any challenge. a Legend seen by all those who were mentored by him
and what they have accomplished due to his tutelage.
Sentiments from some of Rocky’s many, many peers
Steve DeLellis, LTC (Ret), Senior Technical Advisor and
Michelle DuGuay Landers, Lt Col (Ret), Publisher of Executive Director, Fort Liberty Research Institute —
the Journal of Special Operations Medicine — I had I think it’s fair to say that every Special Forces medic
the honor to work with COL Farr when he served as the that was trained between the Vietnam War and the
USSOCOM Command Surgeon and Executive Editor present day knew or knew of Rocky Farr. In the early
of the Journal of Special Operations Medicine. As the days of the war in Afghanistan, I requested additional
Executive Editor of the JSOM (2006–2009), he briefed provider support to help manage casualties at our six
the SOF medical community as a whole on what was Special Forces fire bases in Afghanistan. Recogniz-
coming out of headquarters each quarter through his ing how short the SOF community was on physicians,
From the SOCOM Surgeon. After his retirement from supporting efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, Rocky him-
the military in 2013, Rocky continued to stay involved self came to fill a void. At that point in time, he was a
with the JSOM and submitted quarterly book reviews Colonel with 40+ years in uniform . . . and every bit
until he became sick. He was a great mentor and as capable as any provider we had on our team! RIP
friend. During that time, I was also honored to have Rocky . . . until we meet again at that final RV!
COL Farr preside over my promotion to Lt Col in 2008.
Andre Pennardt, MD, FACEP, FAEMS, FAWM, COL
John Dominguez, MSG (Ret), Former President of (Ret), Chief Medical Officer — Federal Emergency
SOMA — Rocky was a legend. Special Operations Management Agency — Rocky was truly a legend of
Medicine’s high standards, innovation, education, and the SOF medical community, whose career spanned
interoperability are where they are today because of a 46 years of service to our Nation. His contributions to
few Green Beret medics and doctors. Rocky’s mission advancing military medicine are too numerous to list.
to advance SOF medicine began in 1967, and with He was a great friend and mentor and will be missed
each deployment to Vietnam and his assignment to dearly. RIP, brother.
Det A in Germany, he continued to advocate for in-
creasing medics’ education. Every Special Operations Sean Keenan, COL (Ret), Prehospital Medical Direc­
medic owes the progress made to the battles Rocky tor, SOMA President — The SOF Medical community
and a few others championed throughout their ca- has lost a tremendous mentor, advocate, and friend.
reers. I met Rocky in 1997; he was not only a mentor His legacy and impact will continue for decades! RIP,
of mine but he was also a hero and friend. He would Sir. Please see the “From the SOMA President” mes-
always stop what he was doing to listen to the guys on sage in this issue.
the teams. He respected the views and experience of
those currently fighting the war; he educated rather Tracy Wyatt, COL (Ret) — Rocky was the Command
than be dismissive toward medics. He will be missed Surgeon of Special Operations Command (SOCOM)
but never forgotten. DOL from 2006 to 2009, and I was blessed to be his Deputy
Surgeon those entire three years. Working together,
Dave Connell, freelance survival, medical & safety we increased the readiness of all Service Special Op-
consultant, specializing in remote and hostile areas — erations medical personnel and units through superb
Deeply sad to hear this. He was an inspiration to many training, strong operations, and intensely increased
including us from the UKSF med contingent that regu- readiness. He made SOCOM the best it has ever been!
larly assembled in Tampa for SOMA. My condolences
to his family, friends and colleagues who knew him. Jose L. Baez, COL (Ret), Senior Level Leader, Defense,
RIP, IAF. Space & Intelligence Systems and Military Medical
Technologies — An SOF legend. His legacy will live on
Steven Currier, Executive Medical Director, Core through the countless lives he impacted and the exam-
Clinical Partners — His legacy can be seen in the bat- ple he set for future generations. Second to none men-
tlefield medicine today, and his tree of leaders will tor, boss, and friend. It was a privilege to serve along
transform tomorrow. with him! Rest in peace Rocky!!

2 | JSOM Volume 24, Edition 4 / Winter 2024