Cardinals Converge at United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM)

NASHUA, N.H. – Ironically enough, a simple Google search of the traits of a cardinal result in highlighting the bird’s natural conspicuousness and style. We are all familiar with the famed red bird with its noticeable plumage and clear whistling which make it stand out and a perfect representation of the pride of current students or graduates of Bishop Guertin. On the flip side of this overt “be seen” nature is the Quiet Professional world of the SOCOM enterprise. These two worlds converged this past April in Tampa at the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) Pre-Command Course (26B).

Success is seldomly earned unilaterally and is a combination of both personal and professional networks enabling growth and success of an individual and the organizations they are a member. Prior to one of the morning’s activities an age-old networking question was used … “where are you from?” The reply was a well received, “New Hampshire.” This conversation quickly found two BG Cardinals realizing they shared a deeper bond than a shared uniform and soon fell into memories of their time with the Brothers of the Sacred Heart.

This chance encounter brought together Daniel Enos (Class of 2008) and Shane Muscato (Class of 1997). Both were at JSOU attending the course ahead of assuming command within the SOCOM enterprise during the summer of 2026. Lieutenant Colonel (Select) Dan Enos assumed command of the 24th Special Tactics Squadron while Colonel Shane Muscato assumed command of the 352d Special Operations Wing. Both organizations fall under SOCOM’s air component within Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).

Following Dan’s graduation from BG he attended the University of New Hampshire and received his commission in 2012. He went on to attend pilot training and became a helicopter instructor pilot with the 23d Flying Training Squadron prior to his selection in the Special Tactics Officer pipeline. As the commander of the 24th Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Army Airfield (North Carolina), he leads a unit providing Tactical Landing Zone, Combat Search and Rescue, Joint Terminal Attack Control, and Combat Medicine capabilities to SOCOM’s most elite units to solve problems of strategic consequence for the nation.

Shane earned his commission in 2002 and followed with flight training in the MC-130H. In addition to operational flying, he is a graduate of the United States Air Force’s Weapons School and has held staff assignments with AFSOC, on the Joint Staff, and the Department of the Air Force. Prior to assuming his current command, he commanded the 15th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron, 15th Special Operations Squadron, and the 479th Flying Training Group. As the commander of the 352d Special Operations Wing at RAF Mildenhall (United Kingdom), he leads a Wing comprised of more than 1,200 active-duty and civilian Airmen, directing an A-Staff and six squadrons operating CV-22 Osprey and MC-130 Commando II aircraft and associated maintenance units, a Special Tactics Squadron, and a Theater Air Operations Squadron. These units are responsible for providing Air Force special operations in support of United States European Command and United States Special Operations Command.

Every day we each can learn the value of someone standing alongside us. When we do so we learn how everyone has value and gain the added benefit of a larger network to fall back upon. Just as two Cardinals who graduated over a decade apart from each other found a common bond at a course in Tampa, never miss the opportunity to ask … “where are you from?” Who knows, you just may be standing next to another Guertin graduate with instant credibility.