Old friend returns home.

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This post isn't about the OP. I've said enough on that topic.

When I hear people say "Real combat veterans don't talk about the things they've done", I wonder if those people have ever been to a book store. Plenty of US combat veterans have written books about the things they did, and the people they killed. Were they "bragging", who's to say. But no one forced them to write those books. They could just as easily not have written them.

Anyone know who Chris Kyle was? Of course you do. He wrote "American Sniper". And in that book he talked about having 160 confirmed kills, and holding the record for the longest shot that resulted in a kill.

How about Matt Bissonnette? He was a member of SEAL Team 6, and was on the mission that killed Bin Laden. He wrote a book about it.

And then there is Howard E. Wasdin, another Navy SEAL who wrote a book about his time as a SEAL.

And then there's Richard Marcinco, a former SEAL who has written several books on the subject.

It wouldn't surprise me if there are many more.

The way I see it, any former member of the US armed forces who risked their life to make this world a safer place has every right to "brag" about the things they've done. I think they've earned that right. And I for one would never judge or criticize them for doing so.
 
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The only stories I tell are about how $hitty things were during my tour.
 
killgar said:
This post isn't about the OP. I've said enough on that topic.

When I hear people say "Real combat veterans don't talk about the things they've done", I wonder if those people have ever been to a book store. Plenty of US combat veterans have written books about the things they did, and the people they killed. Were they "bragging", who's to say. But no one forced them to write those books. They could just as easily not have written them.

Anyone know who Chris Kyle was? Of course you do. He wrote "American Sniper". And in that book he talked about having 160 confirmed kills, and holding the record for the longest shot that resulted in a kill.

How about Matt Bissonnette? He was a member of SEAL Team 6, and was on the mission that killed Bin Laden. He wrote a book about it.

And then there is Howard E. Wasdin, another Navy SEAL who wrote a book about his time as a SEAL.

And then there's Richard Marcinco, a former SEAL who has written several books on the subject.

It wouldn't surprise me if there are many more.

The way I see it, any former member of the US armed forces who risked their life to make this world a safer place has every right to "brag" about the things they've done. I think they've earned that right. And I for one would never judge or criticize them for doing so.
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The men listed above made money off of their exploits. Great heros, great stories, very marketable. They are not looking for internet acceptance due to tall tales. I agree with your last statement. I like the stories, but flavored with a grain of salt.
 
Disclaimer: I have 900% respect for veterans.

This will probably make me a pariah but it's well documented that Mr. Kyle (may he rest in peace) embellished some of his stories and some of them were flat out fantasy. Was then man an amazing sniper: yes, did he still lie for some weird reason: yes. I have met a lot of men and women that served that felt the reason to embellish they're service when as I said I have respect for everyone that has served from cooks to clerical staff.
 
killgar said:
This post isn't about the OP. I've said enough on that topic.

When I hear people say "Real combat veterans don't talk about the things they've done", I wonder if those people have ever been to a book store. Plenty of US combat veterans have written books about the things they did, and the people they killed. Were they "bragging", who's to say. But no one forced them to write those books. They could just as easily not have written them.

Anyone know who Chris Kyle was? Of course you do. He wrote "American Sniper". And in that book he talked about having 160 confirmed kills, and holding the record for the longest shot that resulted in a kill.

How about Matt Bissonnette? He was a member of SEAL Team 6, and was on the mission that killed Bin Laden. He wrote a book about it.

And then there is Howard E. Wasdin, another Navy SEAL who wrote a book about his time as a SEAL.

And then there's Richard Marcinco, a former SEAL who has written several books on the subject.

It wouldn't surprise me if there are many more.

The way I see it, any former member of the US armed forces who risked their life to make this world a safer place has every right to "brag" about the things they've done. I think they've earned that right. And I for one would never judge or criticize them for doing so.
Click to expand...

I've read all of the books you mention and several more about SEALs as I have enormous respect for them. Each of the former SEAL authors you mention took an oath/creed that includes the following words, " ...I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions…". From what I've read these authors are generally looked down upon by the SEAL community and are even shunned by some for violating the creed by writing these books. You might not judge or criticize them for doing so but their fellow SEALs do. They proudly call themselves "the quiet professionals."

Here's a link to a news interview with a retired SEAL Captain commenting on the issue. (I hope posting a link doesn't violate any forum rules--if so, my apologies and mods please just delete the link):

http://www.kusi.com/story/27360324/veteran-navy-seal-says-publicity-seekers-broke-code

I haven't researched it but I'd be willing to bet the expectation is the same for the rest of the special operations community.

Respect and much appreciation to all of them for what they do/have done for us.
 
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Hickory n steel said:
I know how it is not being able to post pictures, I was almost ran off of a forum because I couldn't post pictures and people couldn't except the technical reasons why I couldn't make it happen.
( I pretty much knew how, but my cheap computer wouldn't cooperate )
They also couldn't except that there could be a 21yr old that's not a technology wiz, thinking that I just wouldn't post pictures because I was lying.
Sometimes we wish that people could just picture things, but people on forums will always demand photographic evidence.
You can't even tell people what you ate for dinner last night without anyone demanding proof.
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An extraordinary claim requires extraordinary proof.

— Marcello Truzzi, On the Extraordinary: An Attempt at Clarification, Zetetic Scholar, Vol. 1, No. 1, p. 11, 1978
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I'm still dubious. The "termination" claims didn't help.

I'm feeling Four Leaf Tayback.
 
From this...

Ass2sin said:
Gentlemen, let me assure you, I'm no TROLL. I've terminated more people than you will ever believe (no I don't have pictures) and I've worked with & for some of the toughest dudes that ever pooped between a set of fins. Being a man of honor and integrity, I came to you with a story of my past. You people are not worthy of my time or presence!
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To this...

Wardo46 said:
I've read all of the books you mention and several more about SEALs as I have enormous respect for them. Each of the former SEAL authors you mention took an oath/creed that includes the following words, " ...I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions…". From what I've read these authors are generally looked down upon by the SEAL community and are even shunned by some for violating the creed by writing these books. You might not judge or criticize them for doing so but their fellow SEALs do. They proudly call themselves "the quiet professionals."

Here's a link to a news interview with a retired SEAL Captain commenting on the issue. (I hope posting a link doesn't violate any forum rules--if so, my apologies and mods please just delete the link):

http://www.kusi.com/story/27360324/veteran-navy-seal-says-publicity-seekers-broke-code

I haven't researched it but I'd be willing to bet the expectation is the same for the rest of the special operations community.

Respect and much appreciation to all of them for what they do/have done for us.
Click to expand...

A fellas got to eat, former military or not, and books move off the shelf at a faster pace if they're marketed. In addition, just as a little sidebar, oath of office no longer applies when office is vacated. Keyword, 'Retired'.
But there is a bit of difference between an author writing of previous military exploits and an anonymous member in a chatroom posting grandios claims the day said member joins. I'd rather read the book. Most come with references and a bibliography.
 
Interesting. I don't think that this is impossible, but I don't think that this particular op is the man in the story. Maybe a child or grandchild of the man in the story is trying to spread the story by acting out the part?
 
Title of said book..........Gecko Returns!!!
Sorry......couldn't resist.
Joe
 
General Knife Discussion. OP came here happy to be reunited with a knife he once owned.

I think too many of you spend too much time in Whine & Cheese. In General Knife Discussion, the knives are the topic. If that's not good enough for you, start your own thread where it belongs.

If you'd like to help, instead of beating up on a new guy, start a how-to thread on posting photos in Tech Support, and send him a link.
 
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