Theta-Lambda
Widener University

Louis “Lou” Hoffman was initiated into the Theta-Lambda chapter at Widener University in 1973. He is a Life Loyal Teke and joined the TKE Foundation Board of Directors in 2026. 

Frater Hoffman is a career “Green Beret” who retired from the United States Army on August 31, 1996 at the grade of Lieutenant Colonel and again as a Department of the Army Civilian (NH04), GS 15, on June 30, 2017 completing forty-three (43) years of Special Forces / Special Operations Service to our great country.

Frater Hoffman graduated from the United States Army Special Forces Officer Qualification Course on April 9, 1979 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and is also one of the first members inducted into the Special Forces Branch as an 18 Alpha when it became a separate branch by the United States Army on June 19, 1987, effective April 9, 1987, under General Orders No. 35.

Military specialties include Infantry (11A), Special Forces (18A), and Military Intelligence (35G) (Electronic Warfare).

Troop, unit, (field) military assignments include Infantry Aero Rifle Platoon Leader, Mortar Platoon Leader, Heavy Mortar Platoon Leader, Infantry Company Executive Officer (XO), Infantry Company Commander, Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (SOFD A) Team XO, Special Forces SOFD A Team Leader, Special Forces Battalion Operations Officer, and Military Intelligence (Tactical Exploitation) (Airborne) Battalion Executive Office (XO).

Military and Civilian staff assignments include duty as a Special Forces Special Access Program Manager, Army Staff (Pentagon), Special Forces Plans and Operations Officer, Office of the Secretary of Defense (Pentagon), and assignments at the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Operational Test and Evaluation, Tampa, FL.

Throughout Frater Hoffman’s career he held a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance. 

Sensitive assignments include working within the DoD Counter Drug Program, the DoD Joint Military Contact Program, the DoD Civil Military Programs, and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.

Civilian education includes a Master’s in Public Administration, Troy University (Justice Administration & National Strategic Affairs); Masters in Procurement and Acquisitions Management, Webster University; Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Widener University; and Associates Degree in Business Management from Middlesex County College.

Frater Hoffman retired from the Department of the Army in 2017 where his final assignments included working as a Level III Program Manager within the Army’s Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (AL&T) Workforce supporting both Army Special Forces, DOD Special Operations, and DOD Military Intelligence Rapid Action Acquisition Programs.

Frater Hoffman  has extensive operational experience in Afghanistan, Eastern Europe, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, Canada, Mexico, Alaska, and with Native Americans (Navajo, Hopi, Sioux Indian Nations).

Special Recognition:

• Selected as the Alumnus of the Year in 2007, Middlesex County College, Edison, New Jersey
• Awarded the FBI Certificate for Exceptional Service in the Public Interest Presented by the Director of the FBI Louis J. Freeh
• Awarded the Afghanistan’s Minister of Defense Certificate for Exceptional Security Service
  • Presented by Afghan Minister of Defense, General Abdul Rahim Wardak

• Most recently (May of 2025) was inducted into the Sayreville War Memorial High School Hall of Fame being honored for outstanding military and public service.

Frater Hoffman is married 52 years to his college (Widener University) sweetheart Kathleen (Army Nurse, BSN) and they reside in Melbourne, Florida. They have two daughters and four grandchildren.