U.S. Navy SEAL, Author and Star of 2012 Feature Film Act of Valor
Lieutenant Commander Rorke T. Denver has run every phase of training for the U.S. Navy SEALs and led special-forces missions in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and other international hot spots. He stars in the hit 2012 film Act of Valor, which is based on true SEAL adventures, and most recently he is a mentor on FOX’s American Grit. His first book, Damn Few: Making the Modern Warrior, was published in January 2013 by Hyperion. His latest book is Worth Dying For: A Navy Seal’s Call to a Nation.
Military Experience
After completing the SEALs’ legendary Basic Underwater Demolition program in 1999 (BUD/S Class 224), Denver began an action-filled 13-year career as a platoon commander and training leader with America’s premier special-operations force. As assistant officer in charge of BRAVO Platoon at SEAL Team THREE, he was deployed to SOUTCOM, the Central and South American Area of Operations, where his platoon was the “alert” SEAL team for maritime interdiction, hostage rescue, counter-insurgency and counter-narcotics. As SEAL officer aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard, Denver led his group’s response to a murderous uprising in the Ivory Coast nation of Liberia, launching advanced-force operations, conducting hydrographic beach reconnaissance and helping to get U.S. Marines safely ashore. At Special Boat Team TWELVE, he started the Maritime Capable Air Deployable Boat Detachment, which specialized in parachuting large assault boats from U.S. aircraft.
In 2006, Denver was officer in charge of BRAVO Platoon of SEAL Team THREE in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province in one of the most combat-heavy deployments of any regular SEAL team since Vietnam. Stationed in Habbaniya, his team conducted more than 190 missions including sniper operations, direct assaults, special reconnaissance and ground patrols. Two of his teammates were killed in action, including Mike Monsoor, who received the Medal of Honor for jumping on a live grenade to save his teammates. Denver’s team has been widely credited with propelling the “Tribal Awakening” that helped to neutralize Iraq’s Shia insurgency. Denver was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” for valorous action in combat.
After returning to the United States, Denver was appointed flag lieutenant to Admiral Joseph Maguire, commanding officer of Naval Special Warfare, traveling to Afghanistan and briefing Congress on SEAL operations. In 2009, he became First Phase officer of SEAL Basic Training including Hell Week, then rose to Basic Training officer. He went on to run all phases of training including advanced sniper, hand-to-hand fighting, communications, diving and language.
Education
Denver is an honor graduate of the United States Army Ranger School and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Syracuse University, where he was an All-American lacrosse player and captain of the varsity lacrosse team. He earned a Master’s Degree in Global Business Leadership from the University of San Diego.
Boots on the Ground
This powerful keynote talks about what it takes to be ready for battle every day. What do the best leaders ask of themselves and of their teams and how do teams operate best? Rorke learns about an organization’s goals and objectives and then customizes his message so that audiences can learn from the front lines of a Navy SEAL commander and put it into action right away.
The Pursuit
Every team and individual have goals they want to achieve. Goals are important as a target, but systems, behaviors and execution are what take you there. Sometimes these goals line up with the greater mission at hand, and often they don’t. Rorke takes lessons from being the top ranked Navy SEAL Commander and applies them to everyday life so that audiences can learn how to move ahead together while always honoring each person’s personal contribution. More than just inspiring, these custom messages leave audiences with actionable tips that help them perform and feel better.
Sell Like a SEAL
For every mission, Navy SEALs need to know how to sell themselves and deliverables to their commanders and comrades. The team must have complete buy in to execute the mission successfully. Often times, there are limited resources and SEALs need to rely on their own know-how to get everyone on board. These very same lessons can effectively apply to sales forces trying to get their mission accomplished and land a new customer.
Global Outlook and Security: An Assessment of What’s Next from a Boots on the Ground Navy Seal Commander
Preparing Your Team for Battle
All Rorke Denver Books
Worth Dying For: A Navy Seal’s Call to a Nation
Purchase Book
Damn Few: Making the Modern SEAL Warrior
Purchase Book“As a meeting planner with over 15 years in the business, I have never been more honored to have had Rorke. And I have also never had a speaker as good as him. Everyone said he was the best speaker we have ever had and that they have ever seen."
- | Molnlycke Health Care
"I've contracted with 14 speakers in my career, and Rorke was hands down the best. The feedback could not have been more positive."
- | Intersect ENT
“Everyone is raving and people are so impressed with his content. He was absolutely a thrill and his message transcended across all our employees."
- | Best Buy Corporation
"He set a really high bar for the remainder of our event. He was electric. Great human being. Authentic. Patriotic. Great recommendation!"
- | Internal Communication Manager, Monsanto Company
