Association of the US Army—Greater Los Angeles Chapter

Highlights Jim Cragg

VP Community Partners & UCLA ROTC Liaison American Legion Post 283 Commander

American Legion Commander Jim Cragg rides in the 2021 Pacific Palisades 4th of July parade with his family. (Photo by Rich Schmitt Photography)

Editors Note: Jim Cragg, an active member of SFA Chapter 78, currently serves as a Corporate Ambassador-At-Large for the chapter.

By Patti Mente
Originally published in the Greater Los Angeles Chapter, Association of the United States Army monthly publication, February 2024 issue, used with permission.

Jim Cragg is a recognized innovator, entrepreneur, and leader. He founded S.O.Tech Inc. in his brother’s dining room in 1997 and built it into a major producer of defense, medical, aviation and adventure sports equipment employing over 80 people and supplying elite agencies around the world. Several his designs have been adopted throughout the US military, rescue and law enforcement communities. In 2008 he founded Paladin Designs, an international manufacturing corporation, as well as Vets Corps USA/GreenVetsLA, a charity supporting veterans, homeless/at-risk people, and the environment. He was also a founding member of four joint military units/programs, all under US Special Operations Command and one Army program under 1st Special Forces Command. Mr. Cragg was recognized with the 2007 SBA Small Business Success Competition 2nd Place Nationally, and the 2009 SBA Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year award. Mr. Cragg was also honored as UCLA’s Veteran of the Year 2020 for his work success in the field.

Jim Cragg, first on the left, in 2007 with his team in Afghanistan on tank. (Photo courtesy Jim Cragg)

Shown above with a Field Aid Station invented by Jim, he is a recognized inventor, holding eleven US patents. He has created over 1600 separate product designs, some of which were significant military, law enforcement and medical game changers. (Photo courtesy Jim Cragg)

Passionate about social and environmental impact, he has spoken in front of the California Senate, LA City Council and LA County Board of Supervisors on Veterans, homelessness, job creation and cleaning the environment. He played a key role in passing legislation on the ban on single use plastic bags. He was recognized with the 2012 Heal the Bay — Super Healer Award. His Veterans program members sew and distribute “Challenge Bears” to children in local schools bonding them in a sense of community service. As an American Legionnaire, he rose through the ranks to become the Commander of Ronald Reagan Pacific Palisades Post 283, one of the most influential posts in the American Legion. And representing the Army in the community, he has served as the 1st Vice President of the Association of the US Army — Greater Los Angeles Chapter.