A Leesburgh, Virginia-based former Navy SEAL, Brian Hoke, was killed in Afghanistan on October 21, 2016, while serving in an unspecified capacity in the war-torn country. The 1996 graduate of the United States Naval Academy was born in Nebraska, raised in South Dakota, and graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training class 210 in April, 1997. Hoke was reportedly killed in the Jalalabad area of Afghanistan, though the circumstances of his death remain unclear.

Per a Crowdrise.com fundraising page he established in 2014, Hoke stated that he was “currently serving this great country as a civilian in the Department of State with overseas tours in Greece and Denmark.” That year, Hoke and former SEAL Mike Martin ran in the Polar Circle Half Marathon in Greenland to raise money for the Navy SEAL Foundation, a charity that provides immediate, ongoing, and unwavering support and assistance to the Naval Special Warfare community and their families.

Hoke served with SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Team TWO, SEAL Team THREE, and SEAL Team SEVEN during his time in the U.S. Navy. Although he deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan during that time, Hoke was no longer in the Navy when he was killed in Afghanistan, having left the service in 2002.

Former SEALs have gone on to continue their service to America in a variety of different ways. Some transition to other government agencies, such as the Central Intelligence Agency, State Department, and the United States Secret Service, among others. Still others go on to become private military contractors and advisors to the U.S. government, as well as to foreign regimes.

The Jalalabad area of northeastern Afghanistan, in which Hoke lost his life, has long been a region plagued by insurgency and al-Qaeda activity. It is the capitol of Nangarhar province, and in recent years, has even seen the arrival of Islamic State-inspired and affiliated fighters. The United States continues to maintain close to 9,000 troops deployed to Afghanistan, in addition to unknown numbers of civilians like Hoke, who are also engaged in the country’s counterterrorism activities.

Brian is survived by his wife Christy; his three children Sean, Stuart, and Adelaide; his parents Dan and Virginia; his sister Mary, his brother Dan; and their families. If Hoke was employed in the service of the U.S. government, then he will no doubt be honored in a private and/or secret ceremony, at which his brothers- and sisters-in-arms will pay respects to his sacrifice.

Rest in peace.