Black Hawk Down hero sharing hard-earned lessons on courage, duty and leadership under fire.
5.00 of 5
Top rated!5 of 5
“Absolutely 110% perfect! He is a true gentleman and an American hero that mesmerized our entire crowd! I cannot say enough.”
CMC Global
First Sergeant Matt Eversmann (Ret.) is a true American hero whose story became known worldwide through Black Hawk Down. Drawing on nearly a decade in the elite 75th Ranger Regiment and years of leadership in combat, Matt delivers powerful, practical lessons on duty, courage and selfless service. Today, he translates battlefield experience into clear strategies for leading teams, building resilience and performing when circumstances turn extraordinary.
First Sergeant Matt Eversmann (Ret.) is widely recognized as the central figure portrayed in the book and movie Black Hawk Down, which brought global attention to the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. In August of that year, Matt and his Ranger company deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia in support of Operation Gothic Serpent. What unfolded became one of the most intense urban battles in modern military history.
For his service during the battle, Matt was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor device. His actions under fire reflect the qualities he speaks about today: discipline, accountability, trust and the will to act decisively when everything is on the line.
When you book First Sergeant Matt Eversmann for your event, you bring your audience face to face with lived experience from moments where leadership was tested in its purest form.
Matt spent almost nine years in the elite 75th Ranger Regiment, one of the U.S. Army’s most demanding units. He was a Master-rated parachutist, a sniper and an honor graduate of Ranger School. His expertise extended internationally as he earned and wore Royal Thai, Egyptian and British jump wings.
His final military assignment was as an Infantry Company First Sergeant in the 10th Mountain Division. During “the Surge” in Iraq, Matt and his soldiers spent 15 months fighting Al-Qaeda and implementing counterinsurgency strategy on the ground. Leading in that environment required clarity, adaptability and unwavering commitment to mission and team.
Beyond combat, Matt also served as the Operations Sergeant at the U.S. Army War College and later taught leadership at The Johns Hopkins University. His experience spans tactical execution, operational planning and academic leadership development – a rare combination that gives depth and perspective to every keynote.
Matt Eversmann has co-authored five non-fiction New York Times best sellers with James Patterson. Their fifth book together, American Heroes, debuted in October 2024 and highlights stories of service and sacrifice. Their sixth book, scheduled for release in 2025, focuses on teachers.
As an author, Matt brings forward authentic stories of courage and commitment. His work gives voice to individuals who serve quietly and powerfully. On stage, he connects these stories to the challenges faced by organizations, leaders and teams striving to perform at their best.
Audiences gain:
Insight into how values shape performance
A renewed respect for responsibility and service
Practical leadership principles drawn from real missions
In 2019, Matt won an Emmy for the PBS documentary Send Me, which explores the advances of battlefield medicine in Afghanistan. The documentary highlights innovation, teamwork and the relentless drive to save lives under extreme conditions.
After retiring from the military in 2008, Matt spent a decade working in healthcare, non-profit and data management sectors. This chapter gave him firsthand insight into organizational dynamics beyond the military environment. He later pursued his entrepreneurial ambitions and is now Partner and Co-founder of Eversmann Advisory, a consulting firm based in West Palm Beach.
His specialty is preparing young leaders to join and compete in the workforce. Through consulting and speaking, he helps individuals and organizations sharpen their mindset, strengthen accountability and build cultures grounded in trust.
First Sergeant Matt Eversmann delivers more than a war story. He offers a framework for leadership rooted in experience where decisions carried real consequences. His keynotes resonate with corporate leaders, public sector organizations, educational institutions and associations seeking substance and authenticity.
When you book Matt Eversmann, your audience will discover:
How to lead when information is incomplete and pressure is high
Why selfless service builds stronger teams
How preparation and discipline create confidence in uncertainty
What it truly means to take responsibility for others
His message is direct, human and grounded in reality. From Mogadishu to Iraq, from the classroom to the boardroom, Matt Eversmann demonstrates that extraordinary performance begins with ordinary people choosing courage, every single day.
5 of 5
“Absolutely 110% perfect! He is a true gentleman and an American hero that mesmerized our entire crowd! I cannot say enough.”
CMC Global
5 of 5
“He was such a genuine speaker…Very interesting and dynamic and really brought home the point. In addition to his amazing talk, he was very kind and easy to work with.”
TranS1
5 of 5
“He was a great fit for our group and the speech was phenomenal. Never have we dealt with such a gracious, humble and inspiring keynote speaker.”
Ann Arbor Annuity Exchange
Keynote by First Sergeant Matt Eversmann (Ret.):
The business world, regardless of industry, is filled with uncertainty, chaos and the unexpected. Welcome to the “Urban Battlefield.” Strip away the drama of gun fights and the frustration of Murphy’s Law the lessons learned from battle during Black Hawk Down or Iraq are directly applicable to leaders at all levels of business. There is no business plan to help leaders avoid ‘Strategic Shock’, but this story of elite teams with high standards, solid leadership, followership and teamwork will get the conversation started.
Matt will walk the audience through his experiences as a young leader (manager) thrust into a “must win” situation in the harshest times. With Matt’s post military experiences as a leader in the corporate world (healthcare, non-profit and technology) he literally can “talk the talk and walk the walk” about what really translates from the battlefields versus what just sounds good. Matt explains why his theories and lessons positively affect individuals and institutions. What they hear on Friday they can apply on Monday. His talk resonates particularly with the audiences who have to execute, who have to lead and manage, and who ultimately have to answer for their delivery of goods and services. This is a war story like no other.
Key takeaways:
Keynote by First Sergeant Matt Eversmann (Ret.):
How can you be elite if you were never in the military? If you don’t have the entire might of the US Congress supporting you and your authority isn’t backed by the Constitution how can you expect every member of your team to “be like an operator”? The truth is that you can’t. None of us can. But you don’t have to have served to be a great leader. Most of us must manage small teams and that is the secret to FUSION leadership. Matt spent almost half of his career as a leader with the elite Army Rangers and about the same in the conventional forces so he knows both sides well. He knows about high standards, accountability, and responsibility. A leadership award winner at almost every professional school he attended, Matt devised a system of leadership where we all can influence our teams and get the same results as elite Army Rangers.
Watch First Sergeant Matt Eversmann (Ret.) in action!
Watch First Sergeant Matt Eversmann (Ret.) in action!
Watch First Sergeant Matt Eversmann (Ret.) in action!
Watch First Sergeant Matt Eversmann (Ret.) in action!
