I just finished my father’s day present, reading the book, “Lone Survivor”, the story of Marcus Luttrell, a Navy Seal who was part of a four man team that was attacked by the Taliban in Afghanistan.
A few quick caveats; the language is rough, but it is the language of military warriors. The arrogance is that which is built into the Special Forces. Neither is to be admired, but they are what they are. Okay, you are forewarned.
This is really two books. The first 200 pages are a bio of Marcus and his training as a Navy Seal. The United States Special Forces are the best trained, equipped and prepared fighting men in the world. It was proven by the battle on Murphy’s Ridge.
The second 200 pages was the story of four Navy Seals who were dropped behind enemy lines, whose mission was to find and eliminate a powerful Taliban military leader. The team was confronted with an ethical dilemma. Their response to the dilemma put them at risk and ultimately cost three of the four lives.
I truly loved reading this book. I was interested in the training portion, but I was absorbed in the story – the battle, the choices, the blessings. At the end, I was weeping. There is a
brotherhood, a friendship that I can only dream of. As a member of a fighting force, these guys go to war and share something that we my never get our arms and our minds fully around.
There are several things that I will take away from this book. First, the ethical choices and dilemmas that today’s warrior is faced with that we don’t even think of. There is a balancing act between survival and fear of what the press, who has unprecedented access, will say – and very seldom will it be positive for the modern warrior. Also, there is the fact that the US military fights under a well documented, well publicized rules of engagement. Our foe is not so morally bound. This is a distinct disadvantage. Let me elaborate. When our military is operating at a “distinct disadvantage” it is not like the Ravens playing with an injured Ray Lewis. If that is the case, we could lose the game – but we can make that up in another game or in our next season. Every disadvantage, read that again – every disadvantage – costs US lives.
Finally, I will always be impressed that there is a voluntary population of Americans who are willing to undergo incredibly difficult training, suffer the most difficult of living conditions, sacrifice family time and a part of their lives – to defend our nation and the democratic way of life. There is only one word that I can think of to describe this person –
Hero
Thank you men and women in uniform – and thank you Rob.
A few quick caveats; the language is rough, but it is the language of military warriors. The arrogance is that which is built into the Special Forces. Neither is to be admired, but they are what they are. Okay, you are forewarned.
This is really two books. The first 200 pages are a bio of Marcus and his training as a Navy Seal. The United States Special Forces are the best trained, equipped and prepared fighting men in the world. It was proven by the battle on Murphy’s Ridge.
The second 200 pages was the story of four Navy Seals who were dropped behind enemy lines, whose mission was to find and eliminate a powerful Taliban military leader. The team was confronted with an ethical dilemma. Their response to the dilemma put them at risk and ultimately cost three of the four lives.
I truly loved reading this book. I was interested in the training portion, but I was absorbed in the story – the battle, the choices, the blessings. At the end, I was weeping. There is a
brotherhood, a friendship that I can only dream of. As a member of a fighting force, these guys go to war and share something that we my never get our arms and our minds fully around.There are several things that I will take away from this book. First, the ethical choices and dilemmas that today’s warrior is faced with that we don’t even think of. There is a balancing act between survival and fear of what the press, who has unprecedented access, will say – and very seldom will it be positive for the modern warrior. Also, there is the fact that the US military fights under a well documented, well publicized rules of engagement. Our foe is not so morally bound. This is a distinct disadvantage. Let me elaborate. When our military is operating at a “distinct disadvantage” it is not like the Ravens playing with an injured Ray Lewis. If that is the case, we could lose the game – but we can make that up in another game or in our next season. Every disadvantage, read that again – every disadvantage – costs US lives.
Finally, I will always be impressed that there is a voluntary population of Americans who are willing to undergo incredibly difficult training, suffer the most difficult of living conditions, sacrifice family time and a part of their lives – to defend our nation and the democratic way of life. There is only one word that I can think of to describe this person –
Hero
Thank you men and women in uniform – and thank you Rob.
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