Mat Best

Mathew Alfred Best is an American internet personality, entrepreneur, and a former United States Army Ranger. Best joined the United States Army shortly after graduating high school, eventually serving five deployments with the 2nd Ranger Battalion, before working as a private contractor for the Central Intelligence Agency. He operates a popular comedy-centric YouTube channel, has starred in a self-made movie, and published a best-selling book, a memoir of his military service written with two other authors. Best is also a co-founder of Black Rifle Coffee Company.

Early life Best enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2004 at 17, three months after graduating high school. His father is a U.S. Marine who served in the Vietnam War, while both of his brothers served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Iraq War. Best began making videos in El Paso with then United States Air Force member Jarred Taylor, when Best would return during breaks from contracting tours overseas.

The channel has also released a number of music videos, including "Bitch I Operate", which peaked on the Billboard charts at 36.

Article 15 Clothing In 2016, Article 15 partnered with another clothing company, Ranger Up, to produce a crowd-funded movie entitled Range 15. The film starred Best along with an ensemble of other veterans, including three Medal of Honor recipients, as well as Marcus Luttrell, best known as author of Lone Survivor, adapted into a film by the same name. The film won Best Film at the GI Film Festival. In the US military, Article 15 is a Non-judicial punishment.

Black Rifle Coffee Company After a successful test roasting coffee under Article 15 Clothing with "Freedom Roast," Best formed Black Rifle Coffee Company in 2014, alongside Evan Hafer, Jarred Taylor and Richard Ryan. They promoted the company with provocative videos posted to YouTube, that Best described to CBS News as "way over the top". Written as a memoir, the book recounts Best's service in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Thank You for My Service reached number one for non-fiction on the Wall Street Journal and the Publishers Weekly best seller lists, and debuted at number five in non-fiction on The New York Times Best Seller list.