Dave Carey

Captain Dave Carey, USN (Ret.), is a decorated Navy pilot and former prisoner of war who survived over five years of captivity in North Vietnamese prison camps, including the infamous Hanoi Hilton. His extraordinary story of resilience, leadership under extreme pressure, and the power of the human spirit has made him one of America’s most compelling keynote speakers.

Five Years of Captivity and Unbreakable Resolve

Shot down over North Vietnam in 1967, Carey endured years of isolation, torture, and deprivation. Through it all, he and his fellow prisoners developed remarkable systems of communication, mutual support, and resistance that kept them alive and their spirits intact. After his release in 1973, Carey continued his distinguished naval career, eventually commanding a naval air station and retiring as a captain after 28 years of service.

Leadership Lessons Forged in the Crucible of Adversity

Since retiring from the Navy, Carey has shared the leadership principles he learned under the most extreme circumstances with corporate, government, and association audiences worldwide. He is the author of The Ways We Choose: Lessons for Life from a POW’s Experience, which distills his captivity experience into practical strategies for leading through adversity. His keynotes address resilience, perseverance, teamwork, the power of choice, and how to maintain focus and integrity when everything is working against you.

Doing What You Have To Do . . .

Dave’s motivational message stresses that each of us has the opportunity and the power to

make every day a little better, in spite of, not because of the events that occur.

Doing Your Best . . .

Success comes not so much as a result of overcoming adversity, but as a result of using that

adversity creatively. Learn how to face hard choices—successfully.

Humor In Emotional Chaos . . .

See how the power of humor can affect positive changes in our lives.

Keeping Faith In Yourself… In Others… In America… In God . . .

Our faith is crucial to our survival. Commitment, faith, friendship, and mutual support are

the keystones to a successful and meaningful life.