Forward On

Jean-Paul Courville is a retired U.S. Marine Sergeant Major with more than 35 years of combined military and international experience, including 22 years of active-duty service. A decorated infantryman and former Marine Drill Instructor, he completed three combat tours in Iraq and one aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier supporting operations in Afghanistan. He earned the Bronze Star with Combat "V" for valor and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Sergeant Major Academy. Following his retirement from the Marine Corps, Jean-Paul worked globally as a military trainer and contractor, primarily in the United Arab Emirates, mentoring and advising foreign military units. He later served as Director of Procurement for the City of Atlanta, bringing leadership principles from combat and command into civilian government service. Jean-Paul holds a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts, an Associate of Applied Science in Administrative Management, and a Homeland Security Certificate from Excelsior College. He is a certified instructor in Marine Corps Martial Arts and U.S. Army Combatives. He is the founder of JPC Adventures LLC, a leadership and speaking platform rooted in authentic storytelling and lived experience. His memoir, Forward On, chronicles his solo thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail and weaves together reflections on combat, leadership, faith, moral complexity, and personal reinvention. Jean-Paul speaks nationally and internationally to corporate teams, veterans' organizations, universities, and high schools on leadership, resilience, accountability, and navigating life's transitions. He has been a guest lecturer at the University of San Diego, a featured speaker at U.S. embassies and veteran job fairs, and appeared on the Military Channel's Warrior POV: Road to Baghdad. His writing has also appeared in Marine Corps Gazette and Outdoor UAE.