Gary Berntsen

Gary Berntsen

NY, US
Retired CIA Officer and Best-Selling Author
Gary Berntsen is a recently retired 23-year Veteran of CIA’s Clandestine Service, and the best-selling author of Jawbreaker: The Attack on Bin Laden and Al Qaida. As one of CIA’s most decorated officers, Berntsen led many of the Central Intelligence Agency’s most important counterterrorist deployments and served as a Senior CIA Field Commander for a decade around the globe. Recent reports confirm that Paramount Pictures and Oliver Stone have teamed up to bring Jawbreaker to the big screen. Cyrus Nowrasteh, the producer-writer behind ABC's controversial miniseries The Path to 9/11, has been secured to write the second draft of the screenplay.

 

Selected to lead CIA’s deployment after the East Africa bombings and then again to lead in Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001 attacks, Berntsen was at the forefront in confronting al Qaeda and the Taliban and a pivotal figure in the United States victory in Afghanistan.

Berntsen’s knowledge of Intelligence, Counterterrorism and Foreign Affairs provides for an informed and dynamic presentation in our ongoing struggle with Jihadist Terrorists. Having served on the ground in multiple insurgencies Berntsen provides his audience with gritty, informed understanding of what needs to be done in order to achieve victory in the long war that we face. In assignments as varied as the Middle East South Asia, Latin America and the Balkans he conducted cutting edge operations against many of the world’s most dangerous terrorist groups.

At the core of his success was the ability to lead under adverse conditions and inspire the men and women under his command. The CIA awarded Berntsen the Distinguished Intelligence Medal and the Intelligence Star respectively in 1998 and 2004. In 2006, Intelcon, a private sector supporter of the Intelligence Community awarded him the first William F. Buckley Award for Leadership, named after the kidnapped and murdered CIA Station Chief in Lebanon in 1984.

Berntsen has appeared on national television and radio. He has been interviewed extensively by Tim Russert, Bill O’Reilly, Chris Mathews and John Kaisch to name just a few.

Central to his presentation is the need to lead, over come obstacles and inspire others.

MOST REQUESTED TOPICS: 

Human Intelligence and Counterterrorism Operations 

Mr. Berntsen provides a riveting look at the world of espionage and counterterrorism. His knowledge of history coupled with his first hand understanding of the clandestine world, provides a unique view of global conflict and points to away forward for America.

Leadership in Times of Crisis

Mr .Berntsen defines leadership in terms of theory and practice. Discussing his role in many of the most significant events and operations of the past decade, he provides powerful lessons in leadership. Mr Berntsen focuses on the responsibilities of leadership and the opportunities to transform organizations and the lives of team members and personnel.

Risk Management during Global Disorder

Mr. Berntsen provides a view of the disorder in major urban environments and its impact on American commercial interests. He uses his knowledge of terrorism and transnational criminal organizations to guide the corporate world in navigating international crisis, crime and terrorism to advance their interests and save guard their personnel.

Gary Berntsen is a recently retired 23-year Veteran of CIA’s Clandestine Service, and the best-selling author of Jawbreaker: The Attack on Bin Laden and Al Qaida. As one of CIA’s most decorated officers, Berntsen led many of the Central Intelligence Agency’s most important counterterrorist deployments and served as a Senior CIA Field Commander for a decade around the globe. Recent reports confirm that Paramount Pictures and Oliver Stone have teamed up to bring Jawbreaker to the big screen. Cyrus Nowrasteh, the producer-writer behind ABC's controversial miniseries The Path to 9/11, has been secured to write the second draft of the screenplay.

 

Selected to lead CIA’s deployment after the East Africa bombings and then again to lead in Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001 attacks, Berntsen was at the forefront in confronting al Qaeda and the Taliban and a pivotal figure in the United States victory in Afghanistan.

Berntsen’s knowledge of Intelligence, Counterterrorism and Foreign Affairs provides for an informed and dynamic presentation in our ongoing struggle with Jihadist Terrorists. Having served on the ground in multiple insurgencies Berntsen provides his audience with gritty, informed understanding of what needs to be done in order to achieve victory in the long war that we face. In assignments as varied as the Middle East South Asia, Latin America and the Balkans he conducted cutting edge operations against many of the world’s most dangerous terrorist groups.

At the core of his success was the ability to lead under adverse conditions and inspire the men and women under his command. The CIA awarded Berntsen the Distinguished Intelligence Medal and the Intelligence Star respectively in 1998 and 2004. In 2006, Intelcon, a private sector supporter of the Intelligence Community awarded him the first William F. Buckley Award for Leadership, named after the kidnapped and murdered CIA Station Chief in Lebanon in 1984.

Berntsen has appeared on national television and radio. He has been interviewed extensively by Tim Russert, Bill O’Reilly, Chris Mathews and John Kaisch to name just a few.

Central to his presentation is the need to lead, over come obstacles and inspire others.

MOST REQUESTED TOPICS: 

Human Intelligence and Counterterrorism Operations 

Mr. Berntsen provides a riveting look at the world of espionage and counterterrorism. His knowledge of history coupled with his first hand understanding of the clandestine world, provides a unique view of global conflict and points to away forward for America.

Leadership in Times of Crisis

Mr .Berntsen defines leadership in terms of theory and practice. Discussing his role in many of the most significant events and operations of the past decade, he provides powerful lessons in leadership. Mr Berntsen focuses on the responsibilities of leadership and the opportunities to transform organizations and the lives of team members and personnel.

Risk Management during Global Disorder

Mr. Berntsen provides a view of the disorder in major urban environments and its impact on American commercial interests. He uses his knowledge of terrorism and transnational criminal organizations to guide the corporate world in navigating international crisis, crime and terrorism to advance their interests and save guard their personnel.