Robert Schaefer

Veteran, Author & Leadership Consultant; Retired U.S. Army Special Forces officer

Tampa, FL, USA
Live Event: $10,000 - $20,000 Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info
Author, Emotional Intelligence, Human Resources, Military, Peak Performance, Personal Growth, Strategic Leadership, Teamwork & Teambuilding, Veterans
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Robert Schaefer Biography

Robert W. Schaefer is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces officer (Green Beret), senior diplomat, leadership specialist, and mentor with over 40 years’ experience advising heads of state, senior foreign defense officials, and business leaders. He served as the on-air Security Analyst for NBC’s official coverage of the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia where his team is credited with identifying and preventing a terrorist attack during the games. He is a critically acclaimed, award-winning author and keynote speaker.

Schaefer is a founding partner and formerly ran all business operations for American Freedom Distillery, maker of Horse Soldier Bourbon, America’s fastest growing and most-awarded bourbon of the past five years.

He is also Managing Director of The Green Beret Way®, a consultancy that equips organizations to achieve dramatically higher performance using proven Special Operations principles. Based on his book "The Green Beret Way: Leading Elite Teams in Extreme Conditions," the firm adapts Special Operations processes, tools, and procedures for enterprise and interagency teams, optimizing individual and organizational effectiveness to Achieve the Impossible. Routinely.®

Prior to entering the public sector, LTC (R) Schaefer served and participated in virtually every U.S. overseas operation since 1990. He began his career as a Special Forces Engineering and Demolitions Sergeant before earning his commission in 1993. He is one of a handful of “double-sewn” Green Berets – having successfully completed the entire Special Forces twice – once as a sergeant and 10 years later as an officer.

Over his 30-year career as a Green Beret, Schaefer participated in numerous classified or politically-sensitive missions, multiple combat deployments and was awarded the Singlaub Award as the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and the Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) “Person of the Year” for his historic achievements with Russian Airborne Forces. He is the first U.S. officer in history to lead Russian forces in combat operations.

In addition to multiple rotations to Afghanistan and Iraq, Schaefer or his team was handpicked to be “first in” for numerous operations including the first and second Gulf Wars, Haiti, Kosovo, Republic of Georgia, and selected classified missions. As a primary planner of the first mission against al-Qaeda affiliates following 9-11, his Program of Instruction (POI) for counterterrorism and counterinsurgency was adopted as the standard for all future deployments by all U.S. Army Special Forces. He later served as the Chief of Central and South Asia Branch of International Military Affairs, overseeing the development and implementation of security assistance and engagement programs for two continents.

He served in multiple diplomatic postings in Russia, Ukraine and finally as the Military Attaché to Estonia where he helped create Estonian Special Forces and their Cyber Security Command. He was awarded the Estonian Defense Forces Distinguished Service Cross, the Ministry of Defense’s Cross of Merit, and the White Cross of the Estonian Kaitseliit – the only foreigner in contemporary Estonian history to have been decorated by all three organizations.

Schaefer earned his master’s degree from Harvard University and is an inaugural member of the University of Louisville’s ROTC Hall of Fame.

His first book, "The Insurgency in Chechnya and the North Caucasus, From Gazavat to Jihad," won critical acclaim from the New York Times and The Economist and was named a “Best of 2011” by Kirkus Reviews. He was host of National Public Radio’s Memorial Day Special 2007-2013 (still broadcast annually). His new book, "The Green Beret Way: Leading Elite Teams in Extreme Conditions" was released in April 2026 along with the accompanying workbook.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Robert Schaefer and other top speakers and celebrities.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 04/23/2026.

Robert Schaefer Speaking Topics

  • Whiskey and War Stories

    How a bunch of 9-11 Avenging Green Berets built the fastest growing bourbon company in the world

    From the first Green Berets into Afghanistan after 9/11 to building a breakout bourbon brand, Rob Schaefer shares unforgettable stories with practical moves leaders can use Monday morning. It’s entertaining, raw, and immediately usable—leadership, poured neat.

    Ready to equip your leaders with tools that work under pressure? Book Rob and turn insight into action.

  • Build Your Own A-Team

    Make every plan come together The Green Beret Way

    Build a small, high-agency team that hits objectives without you in the room. Lead like a Green Beret. Clear roles, shared intent, and a simple rhythm, so you change outcomes and Achieve The Impossible® when it counts.

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Robert Schaefer Videos

Br. Robert Schaefer, FSC's welcome message at the Huether ...

Br. Robert Schaefer, FSC's welcome message at the Huether ...

In his welcome message at the Huether Conference yesterday Br. Robert Schaefer FSC spoke about the origins of the Lasallian Educational ...

See All Videos »

The Green Beret Way: Leading Elite Teams Under Extreme Conditions
The Green Beret Way: Leading Elite Teams Under Extreme Conditions
The Insurgency in Chechnya and the North Caucasus From Gazavat to Jihad
The Insurgency in Chechnya and the North Caucasus From Gazavat to Jihad

  • How do I book Robert Schaefer to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Robert Schaefer for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Robert Schaefer, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Robert Schaefer or any other speaker of your choice.

  • What are the speaker fees for Robert Schaefer

    Speaking fees for Robert Schaefer, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Robert Schaefer are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Robert Schaefer, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

  • What topics does Robert Schaefer speak about?

    Robert Schaefer is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Author, Emotional Intelligence, Human Resources, Military, Peak Performance, Personal Growth, Strategic Leadership, Teamwork & Teambuilding, Veterans

  • Where does Robert Schaefer travel from?

    Robert Schaefer generally travels from Tampa, FL, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

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    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Robert Schaefer for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Robert Schaefer for your next private or corporate function.

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Robert Schaefer is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Whiskey and War Stories, Build Your Own A-Team, Strategic Empathy and The Gifts of Ares. The estimated speaking fee range to book Robert Schaefer for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Robert Schaefer generally travels from Tampa, FL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Oz Sanchez, Rob Waldo Waldman, Rocky Bleier, Mike Abrashoff and John "GUCCI" Foley. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Robert Schaefer for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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