About Operation Golden Shield

Operation Golden Shield was launched in response to the needs of elderly Veterans in the Greater Washington DC area during the COVID pandemic and expanded quickly to meet the needs of homeless Veterans, those who face food insecurity and harsh weather conditions and those staying in transitional housing units. The OGS mission was embraced by cadet and midshipmen leaders in other home towns across the country, and OGS projects were initiated from coast to coast, often in partnership with other service organizations with similarly aligned missions.

With the one-year anniversary of OGS, a team deployed to Honduras, a developing country with tremendous needs for basic public services like healthcare. The OGS mission expanded from simply supporting Veterans to mobilizing the military community to serve broader humanitarian needs. The OGS team visited public hospitals and indigent care clinics throughout the country and raised and distributed charitable contributions to health care organizations, to public foundations, and to an orphanage during the visit.

The current priority is to respond to urgent humanitarian needs, with an immediate focus on Afghan refugees who face increasing hostility, violence, and displacement. OGS is directly supporting Team Rubicon, as it seeks to address the resettlement needs of transitioning Afghan refugees. OGS provides the means for cadet and midshipman leaders to engage directly in service opportunities that improve the world around us.

Meet Our Founders

Caleb Suh, Co-Founder and President

Caleb Suh is the Founder and President of Operation Golden Shield and oversees strategy and development of the organization. He established Operation Golden Shield in response to the needs of elderly Veterans in the Greater Washington DC area during the COVID pandemic and spearheaded expansion efforts to reach communities in need across the country and abroad.

As a social entrepreneur and Cadet at the United States Military Academy, Caleb has worked with the Department of Veterans Affairs, United Sailors and Soldiers of America, Team Rubicon, and several other organizations to address Veteran issues and to meet the needs of impoverished communities in the nation and abroad through direct community service projects and through fundraising support of other organizations that align to that mission.

As a Systems and Decision Sciences major, he is currently conducting research in partnership with McKinsey & Company on the state of the U.S. manufacturing industry, aiming to identify key vulnerabilities in the defense industrial base in order to strengthen long-term supply chain resiliency. Caleb is a Stamps Scholarship recipient and seeks to enable communities around him to facilitate meaningful civic engagement in an effort to raise the social capital of his generation.

Caleb plans to commission as an Infantry Officer in the United States Army following his undergraduate education at West Point.

Martayn Van De Wall, Co-Founder and Vice President

Martayn Van de Wall is the Vice President of Operation Golden Shield, overseeing community outreach and coordinating committee activities. Before joining Operation Golden Shield, Martayn served as the President of his local Key Club chapter, where he found a strong passion for service and learned how to execute and manage service projects. Since joining in 2021, Martayn has spearheaded the organization’s effort to help the incoming wave of Afghan refugees.

Martayn is a Cadet at West Point, where he studies international relations. He is currently conducting research on the role of military diplomacy in combating negative political discourse surrounding military alliances. Martayn is a Stamps Scholarship recipient and has plans to visit the NATO headquarters and several American bases abroad to learn how service members can foster positive relationships with partner forces.

After graduating West Point, Martayn hopes to commission as an Infantry Officer in the United States Army.

Our Mission

Operation Golden Shield is committed to creating a service-driven community in an effort to aid those most in need, both at home and abroad. Staffed with Cadet and Midshipmen from the United States Military and Naval Academies, our team is mobilizing Veteran communities across the country to address the world’s most pressing issues.

Our why

Our Mission

Our staff is connected through history and heritage to a long line of warriors and heroes who have served our country proudly. Our shared commitment to service and leadership provides a framework for a life dedicated to helping those in need.

how to help

Our Mission

how to help

Contact us regarding volunteer opportunities in your area. Through our national network, Operation Golden Shield offers a multitude of volunteer opportunities to address global challenges. If unable to volunteer, your support and contributions enable our teams to better serve our communities.