Monthly News and Intel | September 2026

A Message From Our Executive Director

Friends and Supporters of the Museum,

September brings an important stretch of programming, events, and continued growth for the National Navy SEAL Museum. We have a lot happening here in Fort Pierce and beyond, and all of it comes back to the same thing, bringing people closer to the Museum, our mission, and the Naval Special Warfare community. By the end of the month, our team will be in Cincinnati for Navy SEALs Take on Cincinnati, September 25 and 26. I always enjoy getting out and spending time with the people who support what we do, and this event gives us a chance to reconnect with friends of the Museum while raising meaningful support for our charitable programs. We are also honored to have Chris Cassidy join us as keynote speaker this year.

Before we get there, we still have a few important weeks left with The Art of The Operator. This has been a different kind of program for the Museum, and I think that is part of what made it so successful. It gives people a chance to see the Naval Special Warfare community from a more personal perspective, through artwork created by those who have lived these experiences themselves.

At the same time, we are continuing to build the team behind the work we do. We recently welcomed Michael Santiago as our Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator. Michael brings years of Navy service, strong ties to the Treasure Coast, and a natural ability to connect with people. Our volunteers have always been a huge part of what makes this place work, so I am glad to have someone in this role who understands service and knows how important those relationships are.

We are also so pleased to welcome Anthony “AJ” Bartucca to our Marketing and Media team. AJ joins our Marketing Department, bringing fresh energy, creativity, and a passion for sharing the Museum’s powerful stories with our audience. We are excited to have his perspective, talent, and enthusiasm on the team and look forward to all he will contribute.

Looking ahead, we have officially announced the 41st Annual Muster for November 6 and 7, and this year we are approaching it a little differently. Muster remains centered on the same legacy, community, and history we have gathered to celebrate for decades, while offering a full day of new activities and more ways for people to participate. We have a lot to share about what guests can expect this year, and you will see much more about Muster as we get closer to November. None of this happens without the people who continue to support the National Navy SEAL Museum, whether that means attending an event, visiting us in Fort Pierce, volunteering, or simply staying connected to what we do. Thank you for continuing to stand with us and for helping us keep this mission moving forward.

Very respectfully,

Master Chief (SEAL) Rick Kaiser, USN (Retired)
Executive Director
Navy SEAL Museum Fort Pierce

MUSEUM PROGRAMMING

The Art of The Operator:
Final Weeks on Exhibit

Since opening on July 18, The Art of The Operator has offered visitors a different way to experience the Naval Special Warfare community. Through original works created by operators, the exhibit presents personal perspectives shaped by service, experience, reflection, and life beyond the mission.

In the weeks since opening, the exhibit has welcomed over 100 visitors per day on average and over 4,000 visitors in total. That response has reinforced the value of presenting these stories in a format that is both personal and unexpected, allowing guests to engage with the experiences of operators through their own creative work.

The collection includes a range of mediums and styles, each offering a different perspective on the people behind Naval Special Warfare. Rather than focusing solely on operations, equipment, or historical milestones, The Art of The Operator gives visitors the opportunity to see how service, memory, and individual experience can be carried into art.

The exhibit remains on display at the National Navy SEAL Museum through September 30. With less than 30 days remaining, visitors still have time to experience the collection and spend time with work that adds another dimension to the stories preserved throughout the Museum.

The Art of The Operator is included with daily Museum admission and remains available exclusively in Fort Pierce through September 30.

MUSTER THE SAILORS

41st Annual Muster

Reimagining a Navy SEAL Museum Veteran’s Day Tradition

The National Navy SEAL Museum will welcome the Naval Special Warfare community, veterans, families, and supporters back to Fort Pierce, Florida, on Friday, November 6, and Saturday, November 7, for the 41st Annual Muster. This year, the Museum is reimagining its signature Saturday event as a full day dedicated to the heritage, culture, values, and enduring legacy of Naval Special Warfare, with more opportunities for guests to participate and engage throughout the Museum grounds.

Rather than presenting a singular tactical demonstration, Muster 41 will introduce the Muster Legacy Compound, offering ongoing activities and experiences from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Guests will have opportunities to meet military and Special Operations veterans and personnel, connect with dozens of veteran service organizations, experience military vehicles and equipment from the Museum’s collection that are not regularly available for public viewing, and learn more about the people and history behind Naval Special Warfare.

Physical readiness has always been an important part of that history. This year, the Museum will embrace that aspect of the Naval Special Warfare culture through the new HEW Fitness Challenge, developed in partnership with Hard Exercise Works. Designed for participants of all ages, the course will feature a series of fitness obstacles and challenges throughout the day. The 22nd Annual 5K Beach Challenge will also return beginning at 8:00 AM, inviting participants to run or walk along the same Fort Pierce beaches where the first Navy Frogmen trained during World War II.

Muster will offer plenty beyond the physical challenges. Families can spend time in the Kids Zone with face painting and bounce houses, while guests throughout the Muster Legacy Compound can enjoy a live DJ, food vendors, two outdoor bars, veteran service organization booths, and static displays including the Museum’s HAL 3 Seawolves helicopter. The outdoor event is free to attend, and visitors will also receive access to the National Navy SEAL Museum at a discounted rate throughout the day.

For more than four decades, Muster has provided an opportunity to bring the Museum, the Naval Special Warfare community, and the public together in Fort Pierce. The format may look different this year, but its purpose remains firmly connected to the people, history, and traditions the Museum preserves. Muster 41 builds upon that tradition by giving guests more ways to experience it throughout the day and continuing to celebrate the legacy that began on these shores.

THE MUSEUM HITS THE ROAD

Navy SEALs Take on Cincinnati

Returning September 25

Later this month, Navy SEALs Take on Cincinnati will return for two days of events supporting the National Navy SEAL Museum and the Naval Special Warfare community. Held September 25 and 26, the biennial gathering brings together supporters, veterans, families, and members of the Special Operations community through a shared commitment to service and the Museum’s mission.

The weekend begins September 25 with a sporting clays competition at Sycamore Sporting Clays in Miamiville, Ohio, offering participants the opportunity to shoot alongside Navy SEALs while supporting the programs and charitable outreach of the Museum. The following evening, guests will gather at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati for dinner, a live auction, and an opportunity to connect with members of the Naval Special Warfare community.

The Museum is honored to welcome Captain Chris Cassidy, USN (Ret.), Navy SEAL and retired NASA astronaut, as the keynote speaker for the September 26 event. A graduate of BUD/S Class 192, Cassidy served in the SEAL Teams for 11 years before his selection as a NASA astronaut in 2004. His career includes two Bronze Star Medals, combat leadership in Afghanistan, three spaceflights, ten spacewalks, 377 days in space, and service as NASA’s 14th Chief Astronaut.

Proceeds from Navy SEALs Take on Cincinnati help advance the work of Navy SEAL Museum Charities and support programs serving the Naval Special Warfare community. As September 25 and 26 approach, the National Navy SEAL Museum remains grateful to the Cincinnati Host Committee, participants, sponsors, and supporters whose continued commitment makes this biennial event possible.

Space is strictly limited. Secure your spot today at navysealmuseum.org/stcincinnati.

LET’S TALK SHOP

Historic Gift Shop Year:
250th Anniversary and More

The Museum Gift Shop continues to offer guests of every age a way to commemorate their visit to the National Navy SEAL Museum. This year, the collection carries added significance as the Museum joins the nation in recognizing America’s 250th anniversary, with new apparel, hats, mugs, stickers, collectibles, and other merchandise available throughout the store.

With the 41st Annual Muster approaching, new Muster apparel will soon take its place among the most anticipated items of the season. Guests can also find merchandise created specifically around America’s 250th, including a commemorative challenge coin marking the historic anniversary. These pieces offer visitors another way to remember both their time at the Museum and the history being celebrated throughout 2026.

The Gift Shop has recently been refreshed with a wide selection of new merchandise for returning visitors, members, and first-time guests alike. Those planning to join us for Muster on November 7 are encouraged to stop in and see what is new before the event, with even more opportunities to commemorate the Museum, Muster, and America’s 250th throughout the year.

MILITARY WORKING DOGS IN THE FIELD

Testing The Bond Between Operator and K9
“Thank Goodness for Striker”

How often have we heard the phrase, or personally endorsed the fact, that a dog is our “best friend?” The following testimony reflects how the K9 becomes many “things” for many different people. Sometimes they are protectors, other times guides and comforters, and often all three at once. Although the names and locations have purposely been changed or left out to preserve Operational Security (OPSEC), the heart, nature, and details of this story are true and reflect the deep bond between the dog, its handler, and team.

The following words are attributed to “Gordon”, a Senior K9 Handler who served in the Iraq Theater of Operations. This is his personal testimony for a child recovery operation where K9s proved critical to not only their mission success, but in allowing all operators to get home safely.

“We were not very happy with having to move during the daylight. The enemy was very difficult to spot and had control of a complex system of tunnels and ‘spider holes’ which enabled them to pop up undetected on any street or from any house within the entire northwest region of the city.

The operation was a time-sensitive, child recovery mission resulting in our need to meet the local blocking force commander for an intel brief ASAP. The sun was barely above the horizon, and it was already hot as hades. We only had about five blocks to go, but between the bombing debris and enemy sniper fire, our movement was slow. Our team strength was four operators and one combat assault dog named Striker. Striker was a female, medium sized Belgian Malinois, very capable, but with little combat experience.

It didn’t take long for our vehicle to be disabled by incoming small arms fire that forced us to maneuver the final few blocks of our route on foot. Enemy fire was sporadic, although effective enough to both slow our movement, and at other times, forced us to change our position. Nobody was happy, as we could not determine where the fire was coming from, the enemy’s strength or their plan.

Striker was on high alert. Soon she was indicating and pointing in multiple directions. Although we could not see them, Striker was letting us know the enemy was moving in on us from numerous angles, attempting to cut us off, corner and eventually kill or capture us. This didn’t leave us with many options since we had to move quickly to the blocking force, or we would be overwhelmed. Thank goodness for Striker.

As we picked up our pace on the street, we drew more fire. Still not able to see the enemy’s positions, we entered a two-story building. As we got our eyes and guns elevated, we were able to observe approximately twenty enemy combatants converging on our location.

Striker and two of our guys were securing the ground floor while another Operator and I got ready to fight from the second. Suddenly, Striker indicated movement behind my teammates on the first floor, giving her battle buddies time to shift position away from a grenade (tossed from a tunnel or spider hole behind them). Striker and the other operators were good to go and cleared the ground floor of the enemy.

That was the second time that morning Striker saved the team. She seemed to be both angry and enjoying herself at the same time, something we’ve seen before with other Combat Assault Dogs.

Then, the time came to move again. We found an exit in the back of the building that the enemy had not secured. It was pretty much a sprint to our link-up with the blocking force. For some reason the enemy ceased pursuing us. We think they didn’t want to take on the tanks and infantry waiting to help us just up the street.

During the intel brief, Striker kept going back and forth to each of us, licking our hands and leaning on us heavily. It was like she was checking on us, making sure we were all good to go as a team. She seemed concerned but happy. On the other hand, she kept a keen eye on all the strangers in the room. Growling now and then when someone got too close to us.

Later, the blocking force commander told us his staff was secretly afraid of Striker, and that he was jealous. He wished he could trust his soldiers and as deeply as we trusted Striker!”

This testimony goes to show that across all facets of life, especially in a combat environment, that dog is not only our best friend, but sometimes a protector, guardian, and hero.

The relationship described in Gordon’s testimony represents the same extraordinary bond the National Navy SEAL Museum seeks to share through Dogs of the K9 Project. Through this recurring program, Museum guests can meet K9 Project canines and their handlers while learning how trust, training, communication, and the connection between operator and canine can prove critical when lives are on the line.

Dogs of the K9 Project brings that relationship directly to visitors in Fort Pierce, offering a rare opportunity to hear firsthand from those who understand the capabilities of these remarkable canines and the bonds formed with them. By sharing stories like Striker’s alongside the experiences of the K9 Project team, the National Navy SEAL Museum continues to provide a deeper understanding of the roles these canines have played within the Naval Special Warfare community and the profound impact they continue to have beyond their service.

DIVE INTO THE HISTORY OF NSW

JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER FAMILY

Give Your Time and Help Keep Their Story Alive

Every visitor who walks through the doors of the National Navy SEAL Museum is welcomed into a story that spans generations of service, sacrifice, and commitment. Helping share that story are the Museum’s volunteers, whose time and dedication support nearly every part of the visitor experience.

Volunteers assist with daily operations, special events, educational programming, guest services, and the preservation of the history entrusted to the Museum. Some bring military experience or a lifelong interest in history. Others simply want to give back to their community and become part of a team built around service. No matter the background, each volunteer plays an important role in helping the Museum fulfill its mission.

Volunteering also provides an opportunity to meet people from across the country, learn more about Naval Special Warfare history, and work alongside others who share a commitment to preserving the legacy of the Navy SEALs and their predecessors. Opportunities are available for a variety of interests, schedules, and experience levels.

The National Navy SEAL Museum is always looking for dedicated individuals who want to contribute their time and talents. To learn more about becoming part of the Museum’s volunteer team, visit navysealmuseum.org/volunteer.

WELCOME TO THE TEAM

From the Flight Deck to Fort Pierce

Sixteen years of Navy service has taken ABF1 (AW) Michael A. Santiago from the flight decks of aircraft carriers to more than 20 countries around the world. Today, his service continues much closer to home. Michael seeks to fill the large shoes of Andy Brady as the new Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator at the National Navy SEAL Museum. He brings years of leadership, recruiting experience, and an appreciation for service to the Museum and the Treasure Coast community he now calls home.

Born and raised in the Orlando area, Michael grew up in Poinciana as one of five children and the first member of his family to pursue military service. His interest in the Navy began through his high school’s NJROTC program, where the structure, uniform, and opportunity to lead immediately appealed to him. After high school, he entered the Navy and shipped to Recruit Training Command Great Lakes in 2015. It was the first time he had ever left Florida.

After graduating near the top of his class, Michael trained as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment), beginning a career centered largely around the demanding environment of an aircraft carrier flight deck. He specialized in the launching of aircraft and worked with platforms including the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet, E-2 Hawkeye, and C-2 Greyhound. His assignments included USS Chester Nimitz, USS Ronald Reagan, and USS John C. Stennis, with deployments carrying him throughout Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and beyond.

One of those deployments became a particularly uncommon experience. Aboard John C. Stennis, Michael participated in a “world tour” as the carrier changed homeports from Bremerton, Washington, to Norfolk, Virginia. Rather than traveling east, the ship headed west, eventually carrying its crew around the world before returning to the United States. Across his Navy career, Michael estimates he visited 21 countries and made approximately 45 stops outside the continental United States.

Yet some of the experiences that stayed with him most had little to do with launching aircraft. Michael remembers participating in humanitarian efforts and seeing firsthand the Navy’s ability to provide medical assistance, disaster relief, and support to communities in need. Those experiences changed his perspective on both service and the life he had known growing up in Florida.

Leadership eventually took Michael away from the flight deck and into Navy recruiting. Beginning in 2019, he served in the Treasure Coast area, where he developed relationships with local schools, communities, and prospective Sailors. Recruiting proved to be a natural fit. Michael enjoyed working with people, talking about the Navy, and helping men and women determine whether military service was right for them. During his later recruiting assignment, he maintained his position as one of the top recruiters within Navy Talent Acquisition Group Miami.

The assignment also introduced Michael more closely to the Naval Special Warfare community. As a recruiter, he helped educate candidates interested in Special Warfare programs and worked alongside personnel with firsthand knowledge of that community. He took particular care with those conversations, recognizing the responsibility that comes with representing a profession and history that are not his own.

After transitioning from activated service back into the Navy Reserve this summer, Michael unexpectedly found himself searching for the next chapter of his career. He briefly entered sales but quickly realized he wanted something that offered the sense of purpose and community he had valued throughout his Navy career. When he saw the opening for Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator at the National Navy SEAL Museum, the connection was immediate.

“I knew I was good with people,” Michael said. Years of recruiting had already introduced him to schools and community leaders throughout the Treasure Coast, and the position offered an opportunity to put those relationships to work for a mission he believed in. Now in only his second week at the Museum, Michael says he has already fallen in love with the job, the staff, and particularly the volunteers.

“Some of them are service members who are from these periods of time,” he said. “This to them isn’t a museum. This is, once again, their home. This is their life.”

His connection to the Museum is personal as well. Although his own Navy career was not spent in Naval Special Warfare, Michael sees familiar pieces of Navy life throughout the collection. The terminology, traditions, equipment, and shared history create connections spanning generations of Sailors. To him, preserving that history ensures younger generations can understand the sacrifices that preceded them and perhaps be inspired to serve in their own way.

For all the places he has traveled, and experiences accumulated over 16 years of service, Michael is equally quick to describe himself in much simpler terms. He is a father of two, a Treasure Coast resident, and a member of the community he now serves. When the uniform comes off, he picks his children up from school, makes dinner, watches a Disney movie with them, and gets ready to do it all again the next day.

“This is my home now forever,” Michael said. “This is my kids’ home.”

A New Young Face

The National Navy SEAL Museum is happy to introduce AJ Bartucca who joins the Museum’s marketing and media department. AJ is from Rochester, NY and has 5 years of professional marketing and communications experience. After graduating Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s in journalism and spending two seasons working in media relations for professional baseball teams, he decided to pursue his life-long passion of supporting non-profit organizations dedicated to preserving military history.

Before moving to Fort Pierce, AJ served the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo, NY and their annual Geneseo Airshow as a volunteer Public Relations Director for nearly three years. AJ is an old soul with a passion for all things history dating back to Ancient Rome all the way up to modern times with an emphasis on a multi-decade passion for studying military conflict and preserving the stories of combat veterans of all eras.

In addition to his work in the museum world, AJ is a lead editor for a War Journalism platform called Battles and Beers: War Stories that boasts tens of millions of views monthly which is solely dedicated to preserving the experiences of combat veterans from every military conflict, in every hemisphere, from the last 100 years.

The Museum warmly welcomes AJ, with gratitude for his passion, technical skills, and experience in support of the mission.

A LEGENDARY EVENT

The 35th Annual Legends Invitational Golf Tournament

The Navy SEAL Museum is honored to invite supporters, partners, and friends to the 35th Annual Legends Invitational Golf Tournament, taking place November 11-16, 2026, at the world-renowned Pebble Beach Resort in California.

Recognized as one of the most prestigious and longest-running privately owned tournaments held at Pebble Beach, the Legends Invitational offers participants an unparalleled golf experience while supporting the mission of the Navy SEAL Museum. Guests will enjoy three days of exclusive play on the legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Links at Spanish Bay and Spyglass Hill Golf Course – three of the most celebrated courses in the world.

For more than three decades, the Legends Invitational has brought together business leaders, philanthropists, veterans, and supporters who share a commitment to preserving the history, heritage, and legacy of Naval Special Warfare. Beyond the exceptional golf, the event provides opportunities for fellowship, networking, and meaningful engagement with members of the military community, all while advancing the Museum’s educational programs, preservation initiatives, and support efforts for veterans and their families.

The continued success of this premier event is made possible through the dedication and generosity of its hosts and supporters. We extend our sincere gratitude to Mary and John Lee for their unwavering commitment, leadership, and passion for the Navy SEAL Museum’s mission. Their longstanding support has helped make the Legends Invitational a cherished tradition and an important source of support for the Museum’s programs and initiatives.

Give the Gift of NSW History!

Do you have a history buff in your household? Do you have a current or former NSW operator in your life?

Did you know that Navy SEAL Museum’s photo archives are online to view and available for request?

Check out our online library and search key words to find the right image for you or a loved one.