Navy SEALVeteranAthletePhotographerArtistAmbassadorAuthorSpeaker

After completing a 24-year career as a Navy SEAL, McB is now an accomplished speaker and motivator, presenting to companies and groups including CDW, Budweiser, AstroTurf, Wells Fargo, Provation, Rite-Aid, Walk-Ons, Albany Road Real Estate Partners, Founders Brewing Company, Hilton Hotels, BMO, National Quarterback Club, Fidelity Investments, Arbor Pharmaceuticals, and many others. He is also an award-winning photographer, his professional portfolio including work for NIKE, National Geographic, Fox and Friends, Rolling Stone, CBS SEAL Team, and the movie “Act of Valor.” His work has appeared on everything from album covers to billboards to walls of Fortune 500 companies and is in the homes of Charlie Sheen, Kid Rock, Jim McMahon, John Rich, Brent Burns, Roger Clemens, and John Daly. One of his eagle photographs hangs in the White House.

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AT A GLANCE

Darren McBurnett “McB”(SEAL) Ret.

  • Holds a bachelor of arts degree from Purdue University where he was on the cycling and water polo teams and was captain of the rowing team
  • Earned high school MVP and state honors in cross country, track, indoor track, and swimming. He’s completed hundreds of road races, endurance and swimming events, marathons, and triathlons, to include the Boston Marathon and two Ironman Triathlons
  • Joined the Navy after college and started a 24-year SEAL career that included numerous deployments to combat zones in support of missions such as Operation Iraq Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Kosovo crisis, Liberia, and Operation Inherent Resolve
  • SEAL platoon leader and senior enlisted advisor; trained and operated with SEAL Teams Two, Four, Eight, One, Three, and SDV (SEAL Delivery Vehicle)
  • Developed military free fall course of instruction; deployed two years to the Middle East with a Joint Special Operations Task Force working with U.S. SOF in support of all U.S. engagements in the region; member of the U.S. Navy Parachute Team; instructor at the Naval Special Warfare Basic Underwater Demolition School
  • Received 53 individual, unit, and campaign honors, including a Bronze Star
  • Corporate and motivational speaker; ambassador for military and family-based nonprofits
  • Author of Uncommon Grit, a photography book of Navy SEAL BUD/S first phase training
  • Co-founder of Uncommon Grit Foundation, a nonprofit that assists military, first responders, and their families

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“There is no one else with a photography background and skillset like McB. His content is so unique, which is what makes McB's message so special.”

TIMOTHY P. KISLING / Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co.

McB is proud to be an ambassador and executive speaker for several military and family-based nonprofits, where his photography and artwork has raised $3 million and counting for families of operators who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation’s freedom. In 2020 he started the Uncommon Grit Foundation, a nonprofit that assists military, first responders, and their families—those who answer the call. Learn more at uncommongritfoundation.org.

McB is the author of Uncommon Grit, a 224-page fine art photography book of the journey through Navy SEAL BUD/S first phase training. It’s a unique look at the military’s toughest training from the point of view of someone who has lived it. McB includes descriptions of evolutions along with his sense of humor, allowing the reader to laugh, cringe, gasp, and imagine themselves participating.

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