Book Justin

HE SPENT 12 MONTHS HUNTING IEDs IN AFGHANISTAN’S DEADLIEST PROVINCE. NOW HE’S TELLING AUDIENCES THE TRUTH ABOUT WHAT COMES AFTER.

At 22, Justin Eggen was the lead gun truck commander for a route clearance platoon in Sangin, Afghanistan — one of the most dangerous stretches of the entire war. His unit found and cleared over 79 IEDs in seven months. He came home carrying what most people never see.

Instead of burying it, he wrote it down.

That decision turned into ten published books, two national poetry awards, and a stage career that’s taken him from the National Museum of the Marine Corps to college campuses across the country. Justin doesn’t give polished, feel-good talks. He gives audiences the truth about combat, trauma, and what it actually takes to rebuild a life on the other side of it.

Credentials

      •     U.S. Marine Corps Combat Veteran — 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. Deployed to Marjah (2010) and Sangin Valley (2011), Afghanistan.

      •     2x National Award-Winning Poet — including the Robert A. Gannon Award (2019) for The Art of Warrior Poetry

      •     Author of 10 books, including Outside The Wire, War & Select Poems, and the historical fiction Adahy saga

      •     B.A. & M.A. in Political Science, Florida Atlantic University — current Ph.D. student

      •     Founder, Stand To: Change The Narrative Inc. — a nonprofit supporting veteran and civilian creatives

Past Engagements

Justin has spoken at venues and institutions, including:

      •     NC State University

      •     American University

      •     Emporia State University

      •     National Museum of the United States Marine Corps

      •     OEF 20th Anniversary Celebration, Delray Beach Playhouse

      •     West Palm Beach Human Resources Coalition Seminar

His 2018 spoken-word tour, The Verses & Curses Tour, was documented on film and won the Juror Award and Critics Award for Best Documentary at the Sacramento Film & Music Festival.

Speaking Topics

      •     Combat, trauma, and the invisible wounds of war

      •     Turning pain into purpose: writing as a tool for healing

      •     Resilience and identity after military service

      •     The veteran transition to civilian life and higher education

      •     Storytelling, poetry, and finding your voice

Who Books Justin

      •     Veteran and military organizations

      •     Colleges and universities

      •     Corporate and nonprofit events focused on resilience or mental health

      •     Literary festivals and writing workshops

Call to Action

Ready to bring Justin’s story to your event?

Email bookjustineggen@gmail.com with your event date, audience, and venue, and you’ll hear back within 48 hours.