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Benjamin Sledge      

U.S. Army Combat Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, Multi Award-Winning Author, Mental Health Specialist & Viral Essayist

Benjamin Sledge is a wounded combat veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, mostly under the Special Operations community (Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command) of the U.S. Army. He is the recipient of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and two Army Commendation medals for his actions overseas.

Upon returning home, he began work in geopolitical intelligence, then moved into mental health. He holds multiple certifications in Crisis Response, Trauma Care, and Suicide Prevention and continues to work in the veteran community and within geopolitics. With over 14 years of experience as a creative director, he has designed logos, websites, graphics, and ads that have been prominently featured in highly regarded publications such as TIME magazine and The New York Times.

A prolific communicator, Sledge has also written several articles on masculinity, the military, relationships, and faith that have gone viral on social media, and his essays are featured regularly on Medium. From CNN and The New York Times to Fox News and The Daily Wire, his writing and graphic design have graced the pages of diverse publications. His book, Where Cowards Go To Die, chronicles his time in war and personal struggles to readjust and was released in July 2022 to critical acclaim. To date, his book has won the following awards and accolades:

  • Gold Medal Winner, Nonfiction Book Awards for Biography & Memoir
  • Gold Medal Winner, Readers' Favorite Book Awards
  • Winner, 2024 Book Excellence Awards
  • 2023 Chanticleer Military & Front Lines First Prize Winner for Narrative Non-Fiction
  • 2023 International Book Award Finalist for Autobiography/Memoir
  • Winner, 2022 NYC Big Book Award for Military Nonfiction

Sledge has consulted and spoken on behalf of major entities ranging from The U.S. Census Bureau, The U.S. Military Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), Colorado State University, Volunteers of America, and even shared the stage with influential figures such as Tim Tebow.

Sledge lives in Colorado with his wife, daughter, and son.

Speech Topics

Military/Veterans

A gifted storyteller, Ben shares his personal stories from combat and the military only to dive into the findings of a groundbreaking 2012 study by Gibbons & Colleagues, which highlights the critical importance of veterans finding a new unit, tribe, or faith affiliation after leaving the service to avoid lifelong struggles. Amidst a concerning suicide epidemic among veterans, many are left pondering how best to support our troops. While businesses express a desire to hire veterans, they often grapple with the challenge of effectively engaging this unique demographic. Ben addresses pressing issues such as posttraumatic stress, moral injury, combat trauma, hiring veterans, and the realities of war head-on.

Leadership

With over two decades of experience in leadership development, Ben has been instrumental in guiding high-performing teams, composed of both soldiers and civilians, to thrive in their work environments. Amidst the challenges posed by the Great Resignation and beyond, Ben's invaluable insights and actionable strategies have enabled organizations and entities to unlock their full potential and empower their workforce to excel.

Mental Health

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health of the populace has sharply declined, with depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide dominating national headlines and showing no signs of abating. Drawing from over a decade of experience in mental health and authoring two books addressing self-harm and depression, Ben has played a pivotal role in guiding thousands of individuals towards healing. His expertise has empowered countless individuals to confront the formidable challenges impacting our families and friends head-on.

For Faith Based Groups/Spirituality

The human condition is complex. It encompasses various dimensions beyond just the emotional; it includes the physical, intellectual, and spiritual aspects. However, in recent times, there has been a decline in church attendance, and Christianity is often perceived as offering judgmental behavior rather than genuine compassion. What if there was an opportunity to reignite a sense of purpose and roots within your churches and non-profit organizations, guiding individuals back to the core principles that underpin their faith?

News

This Is My Vietnam
(Medium featured staff pick) An Afghanistan veteran weighs in on whether what we did mattered in the ‘Forever War’
Was It Worth It?
(The Daily Wire) Reflections From A ‘Disposable Hero’ Of The War In Afghanistan
You Might Not Actually Be Struggling With Depression
(Medium featured staff pick) But you may be dealing with depression’s lesser known evil twin
The July 4th conversation we should have about the true cost of war
(Fox News) Real price of freedom should be a topic of discussion this Independence Day
What It’s Like to Kill Dogs
(2023 award winning essay in Reader's Digest) On homecoming, alienation, reentry, and belonging
Together for the Go$pel
(Medium year long investigative journalism article and staff pick) Amid backlash, evangelical leaders are finally acknowledging sexual abuse — but not a high-profile preacher allegedly facilitating it. Why?
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This Is My Vietnam - Benjamin Sledge
An Afghanistan veteran weighs in on whether what we did mattered in the ‘Forever War’
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