Will Chesney
- Member of the elite United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) or SEAL Team Six
- He and his dog, a Belgian Malinois named Cairo, took part in hundreds of missions together including the mission to capture or kill Osama Bin Laden
- Awarded the Silver Star and a Purple Heart
Travels From
Texas
Tactical Talk with Will Chesney and Justin Melnick
Will Chesney Speaker Biography
Texas Native Will Chesney chose to serve his country in 2002 when he joined the United States Navy. After completing BUD/S Class 246, Chesney was stationed in Virginia Beach and nobly served as a SEAL in multiple deployments around the globe. For most of his career, Chesney was a member of the elite United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) or SEAL Team Six, serving as both an operator and a handler of military working dogs. He and his dog, a Belgian Malinois named Cairo, took part in hundreds of missions together including the mission to capture or kill Osama Bin Laden. Together they served America as quiet professionals performing the most difficult tasks in unthinkable circumstances.
A grenade explosion in 2012 ultimately led to Chesney’s medical retirement after 13 years of dedicated service, during which he received various medals and commendations, including a Silver Star and a Purple Heart. Eager to give back, Chesney has now directed his attention to helping veterans, like himself, who have suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
Many corporations, sports teams and leaders from a spectrum of industries are seeking Will to bring his inspirational story to their team building events. Will and Cairo’s military stories, including one of the most famous military campaigns in history, along with his personal struggle with injuries and the transition to civilian life, are the definition of inspirational. His story serves as a reminder that giving up is the easy way out and through a never quit attitude, a pure heart and relying on the team we build around us, we truly can persevere through the seemingly impossible.
From SEAL Team to Corporate Team: Lessons Learned from the Battlefield
About me:
Will Chesney, a former Navy SEAL, brings unique insights from his military career and experiences as a military dog handler. Trained in demanding environments, his lessons in dedication, teamwork, and communication will inspire and guide your teams.
Purpose:
Will shares his personal journey towards finding his purpose as a Navy SEAL and having to rediscover himself after being medically retired. His experiences offer valuable lessons on how establishing a clear purpose can motivate and drive teams to achieve their objectives in the corporate setting.
Dedication:
Through sharing his own experiences from grueling BUD/S training to deployment, Will emphasizes the importance of unwavering dedication. His story will inspire your teams to maintain their commitment in achieving corporate goals.
Teamwork:
Will showcases the vital role of teamwork in SEAL operations. Using his experience as a SEAL and working with Cairo, a Belgian Malinois, he illustrates how trust and mutual support can optimize performance and bring out the best in every team member.
Communication:
Communication is key in every mission, whether with humans or dogs. Will shares how learning to communicate effectively with Cairo led to improved interactions with human teammates. His stories illustrate how positive and effective communication can transform any work environment.
Impact on corporate teams:
Will’s lessons from the battlefield are surprisingly applicable in the corporate setting. Teams who've listened to his experiences reported improved cohesion, better communication, a renewed sense of dedication, and a stronger sense of purpose.
Conclusion:
Join Will as he shares his transformative experiences from the battlefield to the corporate world. Be ready to redefine your team's purpose, strengthen their dedication, improve teamwork, and enhance communication.
