Dave Berke Keynote Speaker

  • Retired US Marine Corps Officer
  • TOPGUN instructor
  • Chief Development Officer for Echelon Front

Dave Berke's Biography

Dave Berke is a retired US Marine Corps Officer, TOPGUN Instructor, and now a leadership instructor and speaker with Jocko Willink‘s Echelon Front, where he serves asAs a F/A-18 pilot, he deployed twice from the USS John C Stennis in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He spent three years as an Instructor Pilot at TOPGUN where he served as the Training Officer, the senior staff pilot responsible for the conduct of the TOPGUN course.

He then served as an ANGLICO Forward Air Controller supporting the Army’s 1st Armored Division during extensive urban combat operations on the ground in Ramadi, Iraq in 2006. Dave led his supporting arms liaison team on scores of combat missions into the most dangerous neighborhoods and accompanied SEAL Task Unit Bruiser on virtually every major operation in the Battle of Ramadi.

He was the only Marine selected to fly the F-22 Raptor having served as an exchange officer at the Air Force’s 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron as the Division Commander. He became the first operational pilot ever to fly and be qualified in the F-35B, serving as the Commanding Officer of the Marine Corps’ first F-35 squadron from 2012-2014.

As a speaker, Dave Berke provides unmatched experience and a unique perspective on combat leadership, analytical decision-making, risk mitigation, and creating winning teams.

His newest book, The Need to Lead, explores how leadership is a skill anyone can learn, drawing on lessons from TOPGUN training, combat, and life beyond the battlefield.

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Why Book Dave Berke as a speaker?

  • He draws on experience as a US Marine Corps officer and TOPGUN Instructor to show how disciplined leadership drives performance under pressure.

  • He translates lessons from flying the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft into practical frameworks for decision-making and risk management.

  • He shares frontline insights from combat operations in Iraq to demonstrate how trust, preparation and clarity of command enable teams to succeed.

  • He brings leadership principles from Echelon Front to help organisations build accountability, develop leaders and execute with precision.

  • His briefings equip leaders with practical tools to lead teams, make decisions and perform when the stakes are highest.

Videos of Dave Berke

Dave Berke - Leadership Lessons From A Top Gun Instructor
TOPGUN Instructor | Combat Aviator | Ground FAC | Echelon Front Instructor - Davide Berke

Articles, Media & Podcasts

The Debrief Podcast with Jocko and Dave Berke

Books by Dave Berke

The Need to Lead

Check Dave Berke's speaking fees and availability

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