David Burnell

Forged by Service. Restored by Faith. Driven by Purpose.

About David Burnell

Veteran | Entrepreneur | Rescuer | Storyteller

David Burnell is a veteran, author, and humanitarian whose work is shaped by a lifetime of service under pressure. His background includes military service in the U.S. Air Force, leadership, tactical training, humanitarian and disaster-response missions worldwide, and the founding of the Urban Warfare Center and Echo Valor. Through books, podcasts, and storytelling, he explores resilience, faith, leadership, and the quiet realities behind service and sacrifice—offering clarity and steadiness to those navigating difficult terrain.

David Burnell - Biography

David Burnell has spent a lifetime walking toward places most people avoid—disaster zones, conflict regions, and the quiet interior battles that shape the human soul. A veteran of the United States Air Force, tactical trainer, and pioneer of realistic force-on-force training through the Urban Warfare Center, he has dedicated his life to service, preparation, and the responsibility that comes with leadership under pressure.His experience spans underwater recovery operations in South Dakota, post-earthquake response in Haiti in 2010, humanitarian and medical support missions with the Karen people in the jungles of Burma, and body-recovery operations in Japan following the 2011 tsunami amid radiation zones and aftershocks. He has worked alongside military, law enforcement, rescue, and humanitarian teams across the United States and abroad. These environments forged a deep understanding of suffering, resilience, compassion, and the quiet strength required to stand steady in chaos.Through personal trials including trauma, injury, loss, divorce, and prolonged spiritual struggle, Burnell came to recognize a truth that reshaped his life—that divine guidance was present long before he learned how to listen. His work now centers on helping others recognize that same presence in their own moments of uncertainty and pain.He is the founder of Echo Valor, a creative and storytelling platform dedicated to honoring warriors, rescuers, and humanitarians through books, podcasts, music, spoken ballads, and multimedia projects. He is the author of multiple works, including Built by Fire, Signals in the Shadows, After the Wave, Beyond the Border, and Wander, and the host of several long-form audio series exploring leadership, faith, and lived experience.A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Burnell writes with reverence for Jesus Christ and a deep respect for the workings of the Holy Ghost. His work blends hard realism with spiritual clarity, offering steadiness to those navigating trauma, grief, exhaustion, or questions of faith.His purpose is simple and unwavering: to bring light into broken places, strength to the weary, and courage to those who are still standing in the fire.

Testimonial

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “David Burnell has been a teacher, mentor, friend, and example to me for more than a decade. I have sat and learned at his feet, trained with him, and worked beside him. I have never met a man more fit for a calling in life than David - and this IS a calling. He was born to lead, born to teach, born to fight for what is noble and right, and born to be a force for good against what oftentimes seems to be overwhelming opposition in this world. David has taken his natural physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual gifts and, through the blood, sweat, and tears of service and sacrifice to his fellow man, become the consummate warrior leader. He would charge into a fight or fire all alone and against all odds to save an innocent stranger. He has done it. I would follow him anywhere. He has been one of the biggest inspirations and influences in my life as a husband and father, as a professional businessman, as a paramedic first responder, as a front line emergency medicine provider, as a SAR team member, and as man of faith. If you are striving to be better or if you have been tasked with helping others strive to be better, David Burnell can and will play a major role in helping you accomplish your goals. He has done this in my life on more occasions than I can count. I am a different and much better man because of him and to know him is a blessing beyond measure."- Corbin Allred

Connect with David Burnell on Social Media

Listen to the Echo Valor Podcast by David Burnell

The podcasts created by David Burnell are extensions of his writing and lived experience, designed for listeners who value clarity over noise. Drawing from military service, leadership under pressure, humanitarian missions, and faith, these conversations and monologues explore decision-making, responsibility, resilience, and the unseen cost of service. Whether reflective or direct, each episode is grounded in real experience and disciplined thought. All podcasts are available on all major streaming platforms.

Listen to Echo Valor Music by David Burnell

Author and Storyteller

David Burnell is an author whose work is shaped by a life lived under real responsibility. Drawing from military service, tactical training, humanitarian missions, and years of leadership and instruction, his writing blends firsthand experience with disciplined reflection. Across memoirs, leadership, faith, and historical works, Burnell focuses on clarity under pressure, moral accountability, resilience, and the quiet realities behind service and sacrifice. His books are written not to impress, but to prepare, challenge, and steady those who carry weight in their own lives.

Get David's Books on AMAZON

Three Voices. One Standard.

David Burnell is a veteran, entrepreneur, and storyteller—and the creator of three distinct voices that explore strength, humor, and hard truth from different angles. He created Hans The Happy Warlord, a disarming and humorous take on resilience, courage, and leadership; Angus MacRuckus, a blunt, sharp-tongued Scottish character who cuts through modern absurdity with ancient wisdom and unapologetic honesty; and The Examiner, a serious platform dedicated to examining leadership, history, ethics, and decision-making under pressure without slogans or spin. Together, these creations reflect Burnell’s belief that truth can be taught through humor, clarity forged through conflict, and leadership strengthened by the disciplined examination of ideas.

Visit Hans on YouTube

Visit Angus on YouTube

Visit The Examiner on YouTube

Motivational Speaker

David Burnell is a compelling public speaker whose message blends hard-earned real-world experience with deep spiritual insight, drawing from decades of service in military, rescue, humanitarian, and leadership roles. He has spoken to audiences ranging from corporate retreats and leadership symposiums to churches, youth events, military installations, tactical academies, universities, and humanitarian resilience forums. His keynote presentations—including Built by Fire, Faith Under Fire, Combat Stress & Mental Resilience, The Warrior Ethos, Empowering Women, Overcoming Darkness, and Living Clean in a Dirty World—challenge audiences to confront trauma, build resilience, live with courage and integrity, and discover purpose, healing, and faith in the midst of adversity.