NO EASY DAY - SEAL Book

[DMW]

We just picked it up today and I started reading it.

"We were seconds away from the house and whoever was living in there was about to have a bad night."

Understatement.

[Thanatopsis]

I'm going to pick it up this weekend. It seems some people are none too pleased with it. Pentagon has very serious concerns about secrets in book

[Cobra Cory]

I think the guy should be shot for treason.
But the Gov't could have made him disappear before the book came out and they didn't.
What's the difference between the Wiki guy and this Seal author?

[Michael Stora]

Originally Posted by Cobra Cory

What's the difference between the Wiki guy and this Seal author?

One was active duty and one is retired. One disclosed secret material the other has not been accused of doing so.

Mike
'

[Terrorist Hunter]

Hoping to get my paws on it before too long, though I'm not currently in a part of the world where it's likely to be on the best seller list. OP, I think it's funny you point out the "understatement" part of what SEALs are capable of because they are occasionally modest with their capabilities (The Act of Valor boat scene is a serious understatment in firepower if you haven't seen it yet). They make a proud living off of being able to do things discretely, or destroy things covertly. They are generally pretty decent guys, even though many in other services pick on them for being a bunch of meatheads.

I want to say about the discretion part though...because personally I think it is important that all sides are represented. A bunch of guys (and some girls) rejoiced with the news the morning after UBL was taken out. A lot of people were stunned, simply because so many have spent at least half a career chasing what almost seemed to be a ghost. Within hours, many were crushed with what was being shown on the news by the administration. Specific capabilities and production methods were clearly released and broadly published by the administration. The Pentagon said NOTHING. Does this make the author right in his acts? No. Additionally, a number of false details seem to have been put forth now (false per the author's account). The details are probably not far from what is discussed in the book. These details should not have come out either, and were simply PR to make it look like a more justified killing vice capture IMHO. Without reading the book, it's hard to say what was divulged that was or was not classified. After reading all the accounts from the administration's press releases, he must have gone into some pretty deep detail for them to say he is in breach of his non-disclosure statement. The type of stuff I would expect that to be - is not the type of stuff I would think he'd have real access or depth to (ie. source details that would get the local national thrown in prison for the rest of his life). I hope he gets a slap on the wrist and nothing more. Maybe that will change with my own copy, but I doubt it.

[Ray]

"I think the guy should be shot for treason.
But the Gov't could have made him disappear before the book came out and they didn't.
What's the difference between the Wiki guy and this Seal author? "

Originally Posted by Michael Stora

One was active duty and one is retired. One disclosed secret material the other has not been accused of doing so.

Mike
'

What's the difference between the author and the Commander in Chief?

The CinC has let go secret ops details (or has allowed them to be broadcast) remember the computer virus that was unleashed in the Middle East? We never should have known about it!

The movie that was released recently in which active duty SEALS where filmed. One of the most important things in Special Ops is the autoimmunity of the operators. I've heard through an "operator" that they were ordered to appear in the movie, over their objections concerning security.

Yes, leaks happen no matter who is in office, but it seems that there have been more under this administration.

Ray

[Darren]

Originally Posted by Cobra Cory

I think the guy should be shot for treason.
But the Gov't could have made him disappear before the book came out and they didn't.
What's the difference between the Wiki guy and this Seal author?

Evidently you haven't followed the story. No secrets have been revealed, he had the book audited by a third party as well to ensure he was safe.

[Paul Best]

Wednesday, Sept 5th--It has always been my understanding from reading about the Seal Teams that it was important to them to keep their affairs among themselves. Now it seems like some members or ex-members of the community can't wait to cash in with a book or a movie script. Maybe we can blame Hollywood or the media for all of this attention, (and the instant fame and money that it brings) but it seems that there may be some "Grandstanding" going on. It would be interesting to know what the guys still in the ranks think about all of this. But, of course, they won't be talking to the press.

[Cory]

Seriously, unless you are in the "know", you're not going to know whats what. Take Act of Valor. Based on a true story and true capabilities......yet nothing was compromised.

With that being said.

If you think the helo pilots made an error upon landing that stealth helo, think again. We left a calling card saying the United States of America was here and there is no denying it.

That community evolves at such a rate that the tactics they used in a raid last night.......are obsolete.

[DMW]

Well, I'm 177 pages into this book and I don't see anything that looks like a revealed secret. Pretty much everything I've read so far regarding locations, dates, or missions was on the evening news at one time or another. It's all very interesting but he doesn't even go as deep as the movie "Act of Valor." And, most of the proceeds are being donated in memory of SEALs that were lost in combat. My guess is that the majority of the author's proceeds have already been spent on legal fees.

[CraigS]

My feeling is that this has come out too quickly. There was a lot of concern about what our idiot in the white house let be released right after the raid. And I think that this book is out way too soon. The movie A of V was about an operation that happend quite a while ago as are the similiar shows seen on the military channel. My guess is that 5 yrs. delay would be about right.

[Snakebit31]

Originally Posted by Darren

Evidently you haven't followed the story. No secrets have been revealed, he had the book audited by a third party as well to ensure he was safe.

Actually, the local news and a few of my friends which are here based at Little Creek and Dam Neck, stated that there are some classified procedures revealed in the book, and they are not really happy about that. One friend, who I suspect is part of Seal Team 6, knows the guy, and does not have anything good to say about it, or the author. Seems he was not a trusted team member in the eyes of others. These guys are closer to each other than they are with there wives. Sounds funny, but their lives depend on it, and the wives understand that, and the local community supports them without question.

As far as the majority of proceeds being donated to The Navy Seal foundation, today's paper stated they have declined the donation.
http://hamptonroads.com/2012/09/seal...generated-book

Rob

[DMW]

Wow. Thanks for the insights Snakebit. This is changing my perspective.

[Terrorist Hunter]

Originally Posted by DMW

Wow. Thanks for the insights Snakebit. This is changing my perspective.

Ditto. That might some light on why a 36 y.o. Chief leaves the Navy instead of retiring. Thanks for sharing.

[stengun]

Howdy,

Gee, what's up with all the pissin' & moanin' about the POTUS releasing info about killing bin Laden?

If any one person has the right to decide what info to release its the POTUS/CNC of the US Armed Forces.

As far as the SEAL releasing info..... That's a BIG no-no. But since it's public knowledge when, where, the basic "how" and by who, it's not as big a deal to say "I was there.".

Heck, back in the "Day" I wasn't even allowed to tell my family where I was going, when I was going or when I would be home.

When I EOASed out of the Air Force I had to sign a "undisclosure agreement" stating that I would not reveal any classified data. This included any thing that was "restricted", "classified", "secret", "top secret", and "for your eyes only" level of seceracy.

There was a 20 year restriction on this info.

Same thing happened after I turned in my commission to the Navy, and another after I stopped working for Uncle Sam as a contractor.

The last one I signed was in 1991 so it's been over 20 years and now I can freely talk about what I did and were I went. You know what? Nobody cares.

Did the SEAL reveal top secret tactics? Doubt it. Gee, there's only so many ways you can fly in on a helo, repel out, attack a small armed compound, kill a couple of BGs, climb back aboard the helo and fly off.

Pretty simple.

I've done the same basic thing before back in the 80's and early 90's and except for the fancy modern electronics, they do it the same basic way that we did it over 20 years ago.

Treason? Give me a freakin' break!

Paul

[vector1]

i tell the guys coming into my 'profession' (air traffic control) to keep notes and write a book when they are done, some of the craziest things happen..... we sign the same nondisclosure agreements except it is aimed at not compromising public confidence, and a few other things.

[DMW]

Well I finished the book and I'm glad I read it to get the first person account of the raid. I did just see today that the author's fellow SEALS are giving him the silent treatment and he is no longer welcome at SEAL gatherings or even funerals. That would be a tough punishment. My son has a friend who is a SEAL and pretty much said the same thing as Snakebit. In the book, the author never said a negative thing about his peers or the SEAL organization. Too bad all around. I'm sure he's regretting this now. It looks like an ignoble end to a most noble career. I'm in no position to criticize the author or to take sides in this argument but am grateful for and respectful of them all.

[NAGA]

This is a tough spot for everyone. He obviously violated his agreements, but do you prosecute a hero? I'll bet everyone is wishing this would go away.

I'm sure it's a fascinating book. I'll wait for the Kindle though.

d

[dv/dt]

He was on 60 Minutes tonight. Went through the whole Op.

[PUDDY]

I saw the 60 mins episode, pretty cool, aside from all the politics of the book etc, it a fascinating story, can't wait to read it!

[QSL]

I just think its a little wierd this comes out right before the elections.