Keni Thomas | Army Ranger (ret) Involved in "Black Hawk Down" Mission

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Keni Thomas

Army Ranger (ret) Involved in "Black Hawk Down" Mission

Fee Range
$12,500 - $15,000
Travels From
Canton, OH, US

Keni Thomas
Biography

In the summer of 1993 Staff Sergeant Keni Thomas was deployed to Mogadishu Somalia with the 3rd Ranger Battalion as part of an elite special operations package called Task Force Ranger. Their mission was to find and capture a criminal warlord named Mohammed Farrah Aidid. On the 3rd of October, Keni and his fellow rangers distinguished themselves in an eighteen hour fire-fight that would later be recounted in the highly successful book and movie "Black Hawk Down". Nineteen Americans gave their lives and 78 were wounded in the worst urban combat seen by US troops since WWII. A powerful speaker, Keni captivates audiences from beginning to end as he tells the incredible story of extraordinary individuals and how they fought to bring each other home. Drawing from his experiences on the battlefield, Keni inspires people to achieve greatness by stressing the importance of outstanding leadership at every level, even if the only person you are leading is yourself. His message of "Train as You Fight, Fight as You train and Lead By Example" for epitomizes the Ranger motto "Rangers Lead the Way!" Keni sums it up like this, "Leadership has never been the rank, the position or the title you hold. It's the example you set for the ones you serve. And we all serve somebody. There are people to your left and to your right who are counting on you and it's up to you to deliver. But you will only be as good as you prepared yourself to be." After Mogadishu, Staff Sergeant Thomas volunteered for one more enlistment in the Army. He became an assistant team leader for a six-man ranger reconnaissance team. He earned his master parachutist rating with over 400 military free fall jumps. He completed the Special Forces Combat Diver course, became an Advanced EMT and was one of ten Americans to complete the Belgium Commando Course. Keni got out of the Army to pursue his music career and became an award-winning country music recording artist and songwriter in Nashville. He and his band Cornbread were featured in the movie "Sweet Home Alabama" and his music can be heard on country stations nationwide. Keni continued to serve our troops with regular tours to Iraq and Afghanistan. Keni Thomas is a best selling author, an Emmy-winning producer and a regular guest on all the major news networks as a military analyst. Keni also got to be a military advisor for the Mel Gibson movie "We Were Soldiers". He has been recognized by the President of the United States, by Congress and has been awarded the American Patriot Award for his dedicated work on behalf of our veterans and their families. Keni is most proud of his appointment as a national spokesman for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. They provide college educations to the children of our special operations personnel killed in combat or training. "Our special operations warriors are the tip of the spear. Their's is a dangerous and high risk mission" says Thomas. "Because of that, their losses are disproportionately high when compared to the rest of our military. Taking care of their kids, is the least we can do. It's what those dads would have wanted." Keni is a graduate of the University of Florida and a recipient of the bronze star for valor.

Keni Thomas
Featured Videos

Current: Fearless Faith

Time 25:08

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Fearless Faith
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Keni Thomas
Featured Keynote Program

Send Me - Isaiah 6:8
Send Me - Isaiah 6:8

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying who will go for us and whom shall I send? And I answered, "here am I Lord, send me".

Keni Thomas
Featured Books

Get it On!by Keni Thomas

Get it On!

by Keni Thomas

"Three words. That’s all it took. I was writing a letter home to my mom when the call rang out across the American compound: 'Get it on!' And just like that, the course of my life changed forever."     
 
Decorated U.S. military veteran-turned-country musician Keni Thomas gives a personal account of his heart-wrenching experiences in the chaotic 1993 Battle of Mogadishu to express a unique set of leadership lessons and inspired view of our greater purpose. Get It On! reminds readers "that we, as individuals, do indeed matter, that we are anything but ordinary, fully capable of carrying out life-changing assignments at any level and in any situation. We can make a difference in this world."

Carrying a guitar now rather than a rifle, Keni also shares stories from the stage of the Grand Ole Opry to overseas concerts for active soldiers, always passionate about the battle that "still shapes my thoughts on a daily basis" and eager to encourage the absolute best in those who are willing to answer whatever call God places on their lives.

Reviews: 

"Keni Thomas is a great storyteller. (This) is a book for everyone."

-- War on Terror News

Gunslingerby Keni Thomas

Gunslinger

by Keni Thomas
Cracker Barrel Country Faith Americaby Keni Thomas

Cracker Barrel Country Faith America

by Keni Thomas
CD: Give It Awayby Keni Thomas

CD: Give It Away

by Keni Thomas
Flags Of Our Fathers: A Soldier's Story by Keni Thomas

Flags Of Our Fathers: A Soldier's Story

by Keni Thomas

Keni Thomas
Featured Reviews

Keni Thomas
Featured Articles & Resources

"Not Me" Featured in the new Country Faith Album, Available Now!

The latest in the hit Country Faith music series, Country Faith America, is out May 19. The release will mark the fifth album in the series that has accumulated $1.6...
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Keni Thomas | Chicago Auto Show

As we scroll through the endless stream of photos and enthusiastic feedback from attendees, we can’t help but feel the buzzing energy of the Chicago Auto Show! Since its...
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Keni Thomas performs for the Institute of World Politics Silver Gala in Washington DC

Left to Right: Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, USA (Ret.) 18th Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, KT McFarland National Security Analyst, FOX News, Sergeant Keni...
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Keni Thomas Releases Military-Inspired Video

Written by Jen Swirsky Country star and combat veteran of the 75th Ranger Regiment, Keni Thomas, released a music video for his song “Hold the Line,” just in time for Veterans’...
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Keni joins Fox & Friends to bring Christmas Cheer to Troops

Click the image above to see Keni on Fox & Friends. For information on how to book Keni Thomas for your next event, visit PremiereSpeakers.com/Keni_Thomas.
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VIDEO: Fox Features Keni Thomas' Heroism and Music

Keni Thomas, an army ranger involved in the Black Hawk Down mission, helped to honor his own at a Houston event honoring American troops. In addition to his works as a...
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