Hey Nox: Non-watch question

[BuckyThreadkiller]

What's the feeling among the teams on the "Mark Owens" book and 60 Minutes stuff on No Easy Day?

[Jeff '79]

My prediction is jealousy.

[78SA]

:waiting:

[Nox]

That's somewhat difficult to answer. "M," the author of "No Eay Day," was down in Coronado a couple of weekends ago, and most of the guys greeted him with open arms. First of all, he cut his teeth on the West Coast Teams before going to DEVGRU, and also, the West Coast Teams have a reputation of being way more laid back and open. When he was visiting, he told some of the guys that he was going to donate the proceeds to the Navy Seal Foundation, and a couple of other NSW charities, so that was pretty well received. Since that time though, there has been a shitstorm brewing. I think the Navy Seal Foundation may refuse the donation, in which case, it gets more complicated. That doesn't mean, "M" won't find a charity, but the Navy Seal Foundation is really the cornerstone charity for NSW.

I think there are mixed feelings at Dam Neck. Some of the guys might not be happy about it, while others may not bear any animosity. At the end of the day, the guys still have egos and like reading about their exploits...

Me personally, I am not sure what the big deal is. I haven't seen anything that hasn't already been leaked to the press in some form already.

[BuckyThreadkiller]

I'm about halfway through it and I can't see the big deal either.

The names of the operators are obviously changed and really the only thing I've learned that I didn't know from the major media was that the Captain kidnapped by the Solmalis had a little Stockholm syndrome working. Hardly a major tactical or strategic revelation.

It reads like any of dozens of "war story" books.

I hope the Foundation takes the donation. God knows they all earned it.

[Nox]

I'm about halfway through it and I can't see the big deal either.

The names of the operators are obviously changed and really the only thing I've learned that I didn't know from the major media was that the Captain kidnapped by the Solmalis had a little Stockholm syndrome working. Hardly a major tactical or strategic revelation.

It reads like any of dozens of "war story" books.

I hope the Foundation takes the donation. God knows they all earned it.

And actually, there are some things that have been left out that I know of. "M" intentionally left out some stuff that although, probably not classified, would best be left unsaid. And then again there are some small (minor) details that might be called into question. I was actually wondering if he was going to include the Maersk Alabama incident. I knew that he had jumped in on that mission, but I hadn't read in any of the previews any mention of it. There were also a few things that happened during the actual take down, worthy of note, that he specifically did not mention, and probably better that he didn't because I could see those details actually pissing some of the guys off.

[Sea Six]

:seasix:

[BuckyThreadkiller]

Small aside, Richard Machowicz is the morning guy on AM 700 here in Houston.

Richard Machowicz - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Machowicz)

He's got some interesting insight into politics and current events.

Has he said anything about the book? It would be interesting to hear his take.

[Nox]

Has he said anything about the book? It would be interesting to hear his take.

He got out before 9-11. A lot of things happened after 9-11 that changed the face of NSW, and he probably wouldn't even recognize some of what goes on today.

[BuckyThreadkiller]

Hasn't he been at cross purposes with DOD as well on some post-retirement security issues as well? Or am I misremembering?

[Nox]

Hasn't he been at cross purposes with DOD as well on some post-retirement security issues as well? Or am I misremembering?

You may be thinking of Dick Marcinko, a totally different cat. Marcinko founded SEAL Team 6, and then later went off the reservation a bit. Got in some trouble, and as a civilian kind of went his own way. I know for a fact that a lot of current SEALs do not like him, though one thing you cannot take away from him is that he was instrumental in creating SEAL Team 6.

[BuckyThreadkiller]

You may be thinking of Dick Marcinko, a totally different cat. Marcinko founded SEAL Team 6, and then later went off the reservation a bit. Got in some trouble, and as a civilian kind of went his own way. I know for a fact that a lot of current SEALs do not like him, though one thing you cannot take away from him is that he was instrumental in creating SEAL Team 6.

I should have clicked Ag's link - you are correct that's who I was thinking of. The weapons guy is a media star. Marcinko looks like he could spit nails.