Rorke Denver

Rorke Thomas Denver (born October 26, 1973) is an American actor, author, and former United States Navy SEALs commander. Denver is most known for his role as Lieutenant Rorke in the 2012 film Act of Valor and for his appearance as team leader in the Fox Television series, American Grit. Early life and military work Denver was born in Saratoga, California on October 26, 1973, and graduated in 1996 from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. While at Syracuse, Rorke played four years of varsity lacrosse, winning two national titles with Syracuse, and earning All American honors at defense. Denver joined the U.S Navy shortly afterwards and graduated from University of San Diego with a master's degree in Global Business Leadership. In 1999, Denver completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training BUD/S class 224 and SEAL tactical training to become a SEAL. He then began a 14-year career in the US military. As assistant officer in charge of BRAVO Platoon at SEAL Team THREE, he was deployed to SOUTHCOM, the Central and South American Area of Operations, where his platoon was the "alert" SEAL team for maritime interdiction, hostage rescue, counter-insurgency and counter-narcotics. As SEAL officer aboard, Denver led his group's response to a murderous uprising in the nation of Liberia as part of Joint Task Force Liberia, launching advanced-force operations, conducting hydrographic beach reconnaissance and helping to get the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit safely ashore. At Special Boat Team TWELVE, he started the Maritime Capable Air Deployable Boat Detachment, which specialized in parachuting large assault boats from U.S. aircraft. In 2006, Denver was officer in charge of BRAVO Platoon of SEAL Team Three in Iraq's Al Anbar Province in one of the most combat-heavy deployments of any regular SEAL team since Vietnam. Stationed in Habbaniyah, his team conducted more than 190 missions including sniper operations, direct assaults, special reconnaissance and ground patrols. Denver's team has been widely credited, alongside Task Unit Bruiser that consisted of Charlie and Delta Platoon of SEAL Team 3, with propelling the "Tribal Awakening" that helped to neutralize Iraq's insurgency. Denver was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" for valorous action in combat.