Before I get to that understand this. Because of the initial reaction from the Pentagon, you can bet your favorite body part that 1000 copies are being purchased by Chinese Intelligence/Military, another 1000 by Russian Intelligence/Military, at least 100 by the head shed over at AQ, and possible several dozen by allied nations that will have analyst trying to determine tactics, techiniques and procedures used by Navy SEALs.
And that's the very reason why I'll buy it. I'm curious. I want to know. And half the challenge will be in determining exactly what is classified info.
What doesn't fly is responses like this (Major Hat Tip to CDR Salamander for pointing this out)....
This book represents a complete failure and abdication of well known and established code of ethics to which every Navy SEAL pledges. To wit:Wow.
My Trident is a symbol of honor and heritage. Bestowed upon me by the heroes who have gone before...By wearing the Trident, I accept the responsibility of my chosen profession and way of life. It is a privilege that I must earn every day...I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans...I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions...Brave men have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold. In the worst of conditions, the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed.
The Trident is the insignia that designates a SEAL. In every possible way this person has prostituted this Ethos and has brought shame and mockery upon our entire community. He is receiving a very large advance for this book and although he claims that he is donating sale proceeds to the Navy SEAL Foundation, it is my understanding that they are refusing to accept this money as it is tainted by the gross violations of ethics that it represents.
UPDATE: I have spoken with representatives of the Navy SEAL Foundation and they have CONFIRMED that they are refusing to accept any donations resulting from the sale of this book. I have encouraged them to make a press release to ensure that the public is aware of this and they have placed that on the agenda of their executive committee.
Nobody in the Teams likes Obama and we all want him to lose the election, but not this way. This book is not going to be the difference in the election in any case and those of you using that excuse for purchasing and reading this book are fully aware of that.
If you want to know what happens during classified SEAL operations, then nut up and join the fight yourself. You should be satisfied that you are being protected and served by exceptional men who are entitled to your respect if not your gratitude. You are not owed the inside scoop on how we do our business. Rest assured our activities receive oversight from your elected representatives, our chain of command, and most importantly the integrity of the vast majority of the operators. We are not gladiators in the arena to entertain you, and by supporting works like this you are helping to validate a very ugly aberration of our most closely held beliefs.
As we like to say in the Teams, "Let your conscience be your guide." Just understand that by purchasing this book you are rewarding a man who has sold out his brotherhood for money. Your money.
Excuse the fuck outta me. I get the outrage. I get the anger. I get the sense of betrayal that SOME in the community feel (I say some because SOFREP has an article out where they contend that this is no big deal). But the turn against the public for reading a book that might reveal TTP's when its been published, when the Pentagon could take action and hasn't and when you're talking about a SEAL community that's bold enough to go behind enemy lines and kill Bin Laden but lacks the nut juice to take down an author in their own fraternity is a couple of steps too far.
So yeah. Fuck you. I'm buying the book.
NOTE:
When I say take down the author I mean that they got word (from reading between the line and hearing several SEALs say that they got word of the book long ago) of the book and weren't able to get their team mate, ship mate, fellow Special Operator to not go ahead with it. If SEALs are as tight knit a community as we're lead to believe then this should have been an easy fix.
