ODIA Defense Briefing - War Business: The Hired Guns of Helmand Province w/ Author Matthew Brunnemann

July 31, 2025 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM (CDT)

Description

Join ODIA for an in-depth defense industry briefing with author Matthew Brunnemann.

This special event offers an unfiltered, firsthand exploration of combat operations in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province—one of the most complex and dangerous theaters of modern conflict. Drawing on his personal experience in the field, Brunnemann reveals the realities behind high-risk missions, the critical coordination of military forces, and the local dynamics that shaped every decision.

Attendees will gain a rare insider’s perspective on the business of war: the challenges of maintaining operational effectiveness in a volatile environment and the strategic interests at play. Beyond gripping stories from the ground, Brunnemann will share hard-won lessons on leadership, risk management, and the ethical complexities of modern combat in contemporary military operations.

War Business is a visceral journey into the soul of a warrior. The book is no tale of glory or romanticized heroism but a raw, unfiltered testament to the United States Marine Corps’ capacity for bravery, sacrifice, and brotherhood in the modern age. Watching America’s warriors work was one of the greatest privileges of his life, and a debt he will never be able to settle.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage directly with the author, ask questions, and connect with others in Oklahoma’s defense and national security ecosystem.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Matthew Brunnemann is a veteran of the Global War on Terror. Serving as a U.S. Marine Intelligence Specialist, Sergeant Brunnemann spent over five hundred days in Helmand Province, Afghanistan from 2010 to 2012. He hung up his guns in 2013 and is the author of War Business: The Hired Guns of Helmand Province. Matthew comes from a long line of warrior stock; his grandfather served in WWII and Korea, his uncle served in Vietnam, and his brother has been serving for the last 24 years. 

A devout Catholic and proud Knight of Columbus, Matthew finds strength in faith and family. He is a faithful husband and devoted father; steadfast in the values that ground his life after war. As a Knight of Columbus, he upholds their values of charity, unity, and fraternity through serving his community with a commitment analogous to his military service. Matthew uses his free time by serving his church as a Catechist for adults who are seeking to find their faith and he serves in his parish Prison Ministry at the Valley State Prison in Chowchilla, Ca. He also serves the youth of the community by coaching soccer and little league. Matthew holds a Master’s Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. While earning his undergraduate degree, he worked with homeless veterans in the Central Valley by preparing them to enter the workforce and find gainful employment.

Matthew is a native of the Central Valley, born and raised in Fresno, California. He left the Valley to serve his country as a United States Marine. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Fresno, California to reintegrate back to the civilian life. He and his wife planted their roots in Chowchilla, California where they are raising their three children. Matthew takes great pride in the type of life offered in a small agricultural town with only four stop lights. While his small town lacks the luster and amenities of a big city, the community makes up for it in their hard work, blistered hands, and love of country.  

“A man needs nothing more than a relationship with God, the love of a good woman, the gift of fatherhood, routine exercise, and a mission.”

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