Rorke Denver

Navy SEAL Commander (Ret.), Leadership & Peak Performance Specialist

Expert on

Fee Range

$30,000–$40,000

Travels from

CO, US

Throughout his action-packed, hair-raising combat career, retired Navy SEAL Commander Rorke Denver successfully led his troops through unforgiving special forces missions in challenging, do-or-die environments in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and other international hot spots. Having overseen every phase of training for the U.S. Navy SEALs, Denver has lived what it takes to succeed in fast-moving environments where chaos is all around you and there’s no guarantee that you’ll live to fight another day. Denver’s own experiences provide the basis for the sought-after lessons he shares with audiences as he helps teams and individuals live and perform at their highest level, even when it seems like everything is working against them.

Revisiting his gripping experiences on the battlefield, Denver captivates audiences with stories that offer unexpected lessons in leading through any challenge and achieving peak performance as an individual and a unit. His insights are rooted in proven strategies that laid the groundwork for success in the heat of war and his Navy SEAL principles for success can be adapted by anyone as they strive to make headway in their own battles.

Denver’s 14-year military career began following a standout college lacrosse career at Syracuse University, where he was a two-time Division I National Champion, team captain, and All-American. Upon completion of Navy SEAL training, he held several leadership roles in which his teams looked to him to make quick – and often difficult – decisions where the lines between success and failure were paper-thin. As assistant officer in charge of the BRAVO Platoon at SEAL Team THREE, he led the group’s advanced-force operations in the midst of a violent uprising in Liberia and helped to get the U.S. Marines safely shore. He was later promoted to officer of the Platoon, leading more than 200 missions in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province – one of the most combat-heavy deployments of any regular SEAL team in the years following the Vietnam War. From sniper operations and direct assaults to special reconnaissance and ground patrols, Denver’s teams are credited with sparking the “Tribal Awakening,” which was so vital in helping to neutralize Iraq’s insurgency. He was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” in recognition of valorous action in combat. Following his deployments, Denver was appointed flag lieutenant to Admiral Joseph Maguire, commanding officer of Naval Special Warfare, making him responsible for briefing Congress on SEAL operations. He subsequently became First Phase officer of SEAL Basic Training Hell Week and then rose to basic training officer, overseeing all phases of training.

Today, Denver is the founder of Ever Onward, a cutting-edge training consultancy that helps organizations and individuals take Navy SEAL principles for leadership and success and apply them to achieving their goals. The principles he shares are also featured in his New York Times bestseller Damn Few: Making the Modern SEAL Warrior and in his second book, Worth Dying For: A Navy SEAL’s Call to a Nation. Denver is widely recognized as one of the stars of the Hollywood action film “Act of Valor,” and has also been featured alongside John Cena on FOX’s hit show, “American Grit.” He serves as an advisory board member for Spirit of America and Soldier Strong, is an honor graduate of United States Army Ranger School, and is retired as a Commander for the United States Navy SEALs.

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.

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.

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.