AFCEA International Chapter News
GREATER TAMPA BAY CHAPTER CHAPTER - Apr 15, 2026

Norm 'Hoot' Hooten Discusses Childhood, the Army and Award-Winning Whiskey

Norm Hooten, also known as "Hoot" in the award-winning film, Black Hawk Down, joined the chapter and spoke about his troubled childhood, his time in the Army, and how he founded his award-winning whiskey and cigar company, which he was inspired to start up 25 years after playing an integral role in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu.

Hooten had a rough upbringing, living with many family members and friends just to get a meal. After avoiding a prison sentence, he decided to join the Army. Six months after that, he was in Special Forces training. Following his 20 years in the Army, he decided to go to pharmacy school because he had lost so many friends to opioid addiction and suicide.

Hooten uses his dad's whiskey recipe to this day in his company known as Hooten Young Whiskey.

Event Photographs:

Norm Hooten speaks with the chapter at the April event.
Norm Hooten speaks with the chapter at the April event.
Chapter's First Vice President Brandt Cosgrove poses with Norm Hooten at the April event.
Chapter's First Vice President Brandt Cosgrove poses with Norm Hooten at the April event.

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