Jeffrey A. Sabins is a retired Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, a Purple Heart recipient, and the author of five books including You Just Survive and We Are The Storm. With five combat deployments across Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia, his writing is raw, unfiltered, and grounded in the truth most war stories leave out.
This page includes:
Author bio (short + full)
Book summaries
Cover images
Interviews and Guest Blogs
Contact info for speaking or media
I don’t write for attention. I write because too many stories get buried—and some truths hit harder when they’re finally spoken.
Feel free to use what you need. Just credit it straight.
I’m Jeff Sabins — a retired Marine, Purple Heart recipient, combat veteran, inspirational speaker, and author of military thrillers and true combat memoirs.
Over nearly two decades, I’ve led through fire — from the streets of Ramadi to the front of classrooms and boardrooms. I’ve carried the weight when others couldn’t, endured when it felt impossible, and now I teach others to do the same.
My mission is simple:
Help. Inspire. Change lives.
Earned Through Fire
United States Marine Corps, 2004–2021
Fallujah/Karma deployment, 2005
Ramadi, 2006 – my most kinetic and defining deployment
22nd MEU, 2008
Marjah, Afghanistan, 2011
Somalia, 2019
Combat Instructor School | MARFORCOM
2009 MCL GySgt Carlos Hathcock Award Winner
Retired in 2021
From convoy lead to combat instructor to MARFORCOM, I learned that leadership isn’t about control — it’s about stability in chaos and serving others first. That mindset follows me still.
What I Believe
The military taught me a brutal truth:
You are stronger than you think. Your body and mind can endure far more than you believe.
I’ve faced the battlefield and the hospital room. When my son was diagnosed with a brain tumor at 2 — and later autism at 5 — we had to re-learn life. Everything changed. We adapted. We overcame. And through it all, we led.
After the War
From Combat to the Classroom
Executive Leadership (2021–present)
Founded Proven Valor Professionals LLC (2021), sold in 2023
Math & Business teacher (2022–present)
Created award-winning student leadership and entrepreneurship programs
Delivered keynotes and training across schools, conferences, and private events
The Work Today
Books
I've written five books — a mix of gritty military fiction thrillers and true combat memoirs. No fluff. No filler. Just hard truth and fast-paced storytelling that reflects what war, leadership, and loss really feel like.
“Meat and potatoes — straight to it.”
Speaking
I speak on:
Leadership under pressure
Overcoming adversity
The power of mindset
My goal is simple: leave the audience in awe before I ever speak a word.
They’ll walk out changed — inspired, equipped, and charged to act.
Leadership Programs
I’ve built turnkey school leadership systems that:
Teach real decision-making and discipline
Elevate student voices and accountability
Create leaders who serve — not just command
If your school wants real-world leadership, not theory — I’ve got the blueprint.
What I Stand For
No acronyms. No clichés. No gimmicks.
Leadership is doing the right thing and putting others first — period.
Strength is carrying others when they can’t move themselves.
Adversity isn’t the enemy. It’s the forge.
Why I Do This
Because I’ve been through the fire.
And I believe you can use that fire to light the way for others.
I’m not here to be liked. I’m here to change lives.
Let’s Work Together
Want a keynote speaker who hits hard and sticks with your audience?
Need a leadership program that builds students into serious humans?
Love a gritty read that doesn’t sugar-coat combat or character?
Let’s make it happen.
Leadership. Adversity. Action.
I’m Jeff Sabins — a retired Marine, Purple Heart recipient, combat veteran, inspirational speaker, and author of military thrillers and true combat memoirs.
Over nearly two decades, I’ve led through fire — from the streets of Ramadi to the front of classrooms and boardrooms. I’ve carried the weight when others couldn’t, endured when it felt impossible, and now I teach others to do the same.
Jeff Sabins is a retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant, Purple Heart recipient, author, and speaker. He has appeared on national platforms to share battle-tested lessons on resilience, leadership, and overcoming adversity.
From combat memoirs to mindset and leadership, I’ve shared my story across national platforms, podcasts, and publications. Here’s where you can find my work beyond the books.
Featured Media
US Military Moments – Purple Heart Feature The history and meaning of the Purple Heart. GySgt Jeff Sabins shares his story as a recipient and what the sacrifice truly represents.
Choices Not Chances Podcast – Episode 93 Retired Gunnery Sergeant and Purple Heart recipient Jeff Sabins talks about five combat deployments, life after the Corps, and the writing of You Just Survive.
The Scuttlebutt Podcast Combat. Survival. Family. Business. Gunny Sabins talks about fighting in multiple wars, surviving a gunshot to the head, and his son’s battle for life at age two. A raw and powerful look at resilience.
Full Media Catalog
Interviews, Guest Articles, and Publications
From combat memoirs to mindset and leadership — I’ve shared my story across national platforms, podcasts, and publications. Here’s where you can find my work beyond the books.
Interviews
zksexzr5j6bdn6i98pwjzsd6syb14.01 KBChoices Not Chances Podcast Episode 93 - Jeff Sabins USMC Retired
Jeffrey A. Sabins is a retired Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, a Purple Heart recipient, and the author of five books, including "You Just Survived" and "We Are The Storm". With five combat deployments across Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia, his writing is raw, unfiltered, and grounded in the truth most war stories leave out.
2ffv2mle2xtt36mwtj7artxa6f3r7.01 KBCombat Tours in Iraq & Afghanistan: A US Marine in Fallujah, Karmah, Ramadi & Marjah
US Marine Gunnery Sergeant (ret.) Jeffrey Sabins served four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He shares memories of, and thoughts about, those deployments. Posted as part of the War & Life Project
Outpost in the Global War on Terrorism: A US Marine at the Baledogle Airfield in Somalia, 2018-2019
Before deploying to Somalia in 2018, Jeffrey Sabins served four combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. In this excerpt from a longer discussion, he shares memories of his time at the Baledogle Airfield about 60 miles from Mogadishu, Somalia. Posted as part of the War & Life Project
1zliwnb40vtndk0vf07x2d1o6agx453.34 KBTalking Guns with Jeff Sabins
A real conversation on life after the Corps, the pillars of success, and what it means to lead beyond the uniform. Retired Marine, published author, and former COO Jeff Sabins shares hard-earned insight and a few powerful book recommendations along the way.
tklkk74sv0qdq4t5y34oojy4ktye15.45 KBThe Scuttlebutt Podcast – Featuring Gunny Jeff Sabins
Combat. Survival. Family. Business. Gunny Sabins talks about fighting in multiple wars, surviving a gunshot to the head, and his son’s battle for life at age 2. Four days out of the Corps and already CEO of two companies — this episode is raw, powerful, and inspiring.
The Scuttlebutt Podcast – National Purple Heart Day
Purple Heart Day on August 7 is the kind of day created to give back. It's a day for Americans to remember and honor the men and women who bravely represented their country and were wounded or killed whilst serving. Please join us this Sunday evening as we get to hear the stories live and first hand of multiple Purple Heart recipients.
Dose of Did You Know – Episode 205: Jeffrey Sabins
In this episode, Jeff Sabins opens up about love, life, leadership, and legacy. As a retired Marine, decorated combat veteran, author, and CEO, he shares how real-world adversity shaped his perspective — and how uncertain moments aren’t disasters, just problems waiting for solutions. From battlefield lessons to boardroom breakthroughs, Jeff talks about refusing to accept limits and building a life beyond the uniform.
Jeff Sabins shares his journey from 17 years in the Marine Corps to founding Proven Valor Professionals. From Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia to the boardroom, Jeff breaks down how veterans can drive real results in business. He talks leadership, adversity, data-driven decision making, and why the veteran mindset belongs in corporate America.
ytdnl6668padxn47bncfekjt1cpc8.77 KBThis Is War – Episode 45: Sabins
"Control often feels like safety.” In this raw and reflective interview, Jeff Sabins talks about the illusion of control in combat — and how leadership, humility, and the weight of protecting others shaped his life during and after war. This episode dives deep into the mental battles Marines face when the mission ends, but the responsibility doesn’t.
igz4l3hv81r27nhzwmrkfssufdxv6.4 KBValiant CEO – “Jeffrey Sabins: Enhancing Business Structures and Mitigating Strategic Failures”
As Founder and CEO of Proven Valor Professionals, Jeff Sabins brought battlefield-tested leadership into the world of business operations. In this feature, he shares how his military background, advanced education, and firsthand experience with adversity helped him build companies that move with precision, clarity, and purpose. The article covers his journey from combat to consulting, and how he transforms teams into self-sustaining systems.
0y4sdv41fslxn6e7pghd2ng9ogbg6.48 KBThe War Horse – “From One Battle to Another: A New Fight I Never Expected”
Jeff Sabins reflects on the combat highs that few talk about — not the adrenaline, but the fleeting sense of invincibility shared among Marines in the thick of it. In this personal essay, he draws a haunting connection between the emotional weight of war and the quiet, private battles that follow. It’s about laughter in chaos, brotherhood under fire, and the moments that stay with you forever.
The Art of Autism – “A Military Dad Asks: What Child Do You See?”
In this deeply personal piece, Jeff Sabins challenges perceptions around autism through the lens of a father, a combat veteran, and a protector. He invites readers to confront their assumptions with honesty and humility, asking a simple but powerful question: when you see a child with autism, what do you actually see?
Whether you’re planning a leadership event, building a student program, or just finished one of my books and want to connect — you’re in the right place. I read every message, and if it’s real, I’ll get back to you.
🔹 For Speaking Engagements:
Want a keynote that leaves your audience fired up, focused, and thinking differently about leadership and adversity? I’ve spoken at schools, corporate retreats, military groups, and national conferences.
🔹 For School Leadership Programs:
If you're a school leader, teacher, or program director looking to bring proven leadership and mindset training to your students, I’d love to connect.
Use the form to request a copy of my school program overview.
🔹 For Book Questions or Media Inquiries:
If you're a reader, journalist, or podcast host looking to collaborate, you can reach me directly.
Media kits and headshots available upon request.
Join The Tribe
Stay in the Fight—Once a Month.
I send one email on the 1st of every month. That’s it.
No spam.
No upsells.
No fluff.
Your email stays with me. I don’t share it, sell it, or mess with your trust.
If you want in, drop your email below. If not—no hard feelings.
