Military + War Speakers

Our military speakers offer inspired perspectives from their experiences on and off the battlefield. Their topics include first-hand war stories, in-depth examinations of both current and historical conflicts, and lessons on leadership and resiliency.

James Hatch

Retired member of the Naval Special Warfare Development group, author of Touching the Dragon, and founder of Spike’s K9 Fund

Phil Klay

U.S. Marine Corps veteran and author of Redeployment, winner of 2014 National Book Award for Fiction

Amy McGrath

U.S. Marine Corps veteran and founder of Honor Bound, Inc.

Clinton Romesha

Medal of Honor recipient and author of Red Platoon

D.J. Vanas

Member of the Ottawa Tribe, author of The Tiny Warrior and host of the PBS special Discovering Your Warrior Spirit

More Military + War Speakers

Elliot Ackerman

Author, journalist, and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran

Omar El Akkad

Award-winning journalist and author of the debut novel American War

Robert Baer

Portrayed by George Clooney in the Academy Award-winning film Syriana, expert on American intelligence and the War on Terror

Shane Bauer

Investigative reporter and author of American Prison

Rosa Brooks

American law professor and author of Tangled Up in Blue

Donovan Campbell

Bestselling author, Marine platoon commander, corporate executive

Brian Castner

Decorated war veteran and author of The Long Walk and Disappointment River

Rajiv Chandrasekaran

Former Washington Post journalist and award-winning author of Imperial Life in the Emerald City (inspiration for the 2010 movie Green Zone), Little America, and For Love of Country