Jean-Paul Courville
Jean-Paul Courville is a retired U.S. Marine Sergeant Major with over 35 years of combined military and international experience, including 22 years of active-duty service (1991–2013). A decorated infantryman and former Marine Drill Instructor, he completed three combat tours in Iraq and one aboard a Naval Aircraft Carrier supporting operations in Afghanistan. He earned the Bronze Star with Combat “V” for valor and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Sergeant Major Academy (Class 60) — a rare distinction for a U.S. Marine.
After his military retirement, Jean-Paul worked globally as a military trainer and contractor in the UAE and other international environments, mentoring and coaching foreign military units and served as a director of procurement for the City of Atlanta.
He holds a B.S. in Liberal Arts, an A.A.S. in Administrative Management, and a Homeland Security Certificate from Excelsior College. He is a certified instructor in Marine Corps Martial Arts and Army Combatives and is currently pursuing an M.A. in Leadership and Management at Webster University.
Jean-Paul is the founder of JPC Adventures LLC, a leadership and speaking platform rooted in authentic storytelling and grounded life experience. His upcoming memoir, Forward On, is a raw, unfiltered account of healing, endurance, and transformation, built around his solo thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. It interweaves personal growth with reflections on leadership, loss, moral complexity, and redemption.
He now speaks to corporate teams, veterans’ organizations, universities, and high schools nationwide, delivering powerful keynotes on leadership, resilience, and overcoming adversity. His ability to combine grit, humor, and hard-earned wisdom makes him a compelling speaker and storyteller.
Jean-Paul has been a guest lecturer at the University of San Diego, a featured speaker at U.S. embassies and veteran job fairs, and was highlighted in the Military Channel’s Warrior POV: Road to Baghdad. His writing has appeared in Marine Corps Gazette and Outdoor UAE.
