Organizations across the country continue to turn to military keynote speakers when they want proven leaders who know how to perform under pressure and inspire others to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Midwest Speakers Bureau’s Top 10 Military Speakers for 2026 highlights a powerful group of motivational keynote speakers who have served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Marine Corps and bring real world experience to the stage.
This list includes former generals, Navy SEALs, fighter pilots, and combat veterans who are recognized as inspirational military keynote speakers for their ability to connect military leadership principles to today’s workplace. They speak on leadership, teambuilding, sales, military experience, and keynote topics, delivering messages that resonate with corporate, association, and educational audiences.
Below, you will find Midwest Speakers Bureau’s Top 10 Military Speakers for 2026. These inspirational and motivational keynote speakers include Caleb Campbell, Travis Mills, Jack Becker, Melissa Stockwell, Mike Oster, Shannon Huffman Polson, Jason O. Harris, Mike Sarraille, Waldo Waldman and Rorke Denver. They are highly respected military leaders selected for their ability to motivate, challenge, and equip audiences with practical tools for success.
These military motivational keynote speakers go beyond compelling stories. They deliver actionable insights on leading through change, building strong cultures, and inspiring teams to perform at a higher level. Each speaker translates their military experience into meaningful lessons that continue to impact audiences long after the keynote ends.
Our Top Ten Military Keynote Speakers:
Caleb Campbell: Leadership, Resilience, and Mental Fitness
Bio: Caleb Campbell is a West Point graduate, former U.S. Army officer, and NFL draft pick turned keynote speaker. He focuses on leadership, resilience, and mental fitness, helping organizations perform at a high level while sustaining long-term well-being.
Travis Mills: Resilience, Purpose, and Overcoming Adversity
Bio: Travis Mills is a retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant, motivational keynote speaker, and New York Times bestselling author. After losing all four limbs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan, he inspires audiences with powerful lessons on resilience, purpose, and perseverance.
Jack Becker: Leadership, Teamwork, and Peak Performance
Bio: Jack Becker is a combat-decorated U.S. Navy fighter pilot and keynote speaker who translates his elite aviation experience into powerful lessons on leadership, teamwork, and high-performance execution. With more than 2,000 hours flying supersonic fighter jets and thousands of mishap-free aircraft carrier landings, he equips audiences with practical tools to perform under pressure and accelerate continuous improvement.
Melissa Stockwell: Resilience, Choice, and Inspirational Leadership
Bio: Melissa Stockwell is a retired U.S. Army First Lieutenant, Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient, Paralympic medalist, and world champion paratriathlete. After losing her leg in combat during the Iraq War, she became the first Iraq War veteran to compete in the Paralympics and now delivers keynotes on resilience, purpose, and the power of choice.
Mike Oster: Leadership, Excellence, and Positive Mindset
Bio: Mike Oster is a retired Brigadier General of the U.S. Army National Guard, bestselling author, and veteran keynote speaker. With more than 36 years of military service and over two decades as a professional speaker, he helps organizations cultivate leadership excellence, resilient mindsets, and high-performing teams.
Shannon Huffman Polson: Leadership, Grit, and Purpose
Bio: Shannon Huffman Polson is a veteran U.S. Army Apache helicopter pilot, author, and founder of The Grit Institute. As one of the first women to fly Apache attack helicopters and lead aviation units across three continents, she now delivers keynotes on leadership, grit, resilience, and purpose based on her military and corporate experiences.
Jason O. Harris: Trust, Leadership, and High-Performance Teams
Bio: Jason O. Harris is a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, combat pilot, and keynote speaker. Drawing on nearly three decades of military service and extensive operational experience, he focuses on leadership, trust, and building high-performance teams in dynamic environments.
Mike Sarraille: Leadership, High-Performance Teams, and Warrior Mindset
Bio: Mike Sarraille is a retired U.S. Navy SEAL, three-time bestselling author, and globally ranked keynote speaker known for his expertise in leadership, organizational culture, high-performance teams, and the warrior mindset. Drawing from 20 years in Special Operations and success as a business leader, he equips audiences with practical frameworks for resilience and performance.
Waldo Waldman: Leadership, Influence, and Peak Performance
Bio: Waldo Waldman is a retired U.S. Air Force Command Pilot, New York Times bestselling author, and keynote speaker specializing in leadership, influence, teamwork, and peak performance. With more than 5,000 flight hours and service as a Presidential pilot, he now delivers dynamic talks that help organizations elevate performance and lead with confidence.
Rorke Denver: Leadership, Courage, and Team Performance
Bio: Rorke Denver is a retired U.S. Navy SEAL officer, bestselling author, and keynote speaker. With over two decades of elite special operations experience, including combat deployments and leadership of high-stakes teams, he delivers impactful presentations on leadership, courage, teamwork, and performance under pressure.
As you look ahead to your upcoming 2026 events, Midwest Speakers Bureau’s Top 10 Military Motivational Keynote Speakers are sure to leave a lasting impact and inspire your audience. When you are ready to start the booking process or have questions about the right speaker fit, our experienced team is here to help. Contact us to start the conversation and let Midwest Speakers Bureau help you create an unforgettable experience for your attendees.
Midwest Speakers Bureau represents top motivational keynote speakers across leadership, teambuilding, emotional intelligence, sports and adventure, and more. Explore our speaker showcases, browse speaker profiles, or contact our team to get personalized recommendations and book the perfect speaker for your next event.