Sea Stories - Mc Raven

Navy Seals don’t write books.  That still should be the adage.  It compromises the very long standing quiet professionalism of our special forces.  Yet, there is still a demand to know.  Should we just let Clancy write the books, and perhaps, consult with the warfighters?   Or should we let those who have been there, tell the tale.  I’m truly of mixed mind on the topic.  But I’ve been reading a lot about Special Forces recently and I’m glad I picked up William McRaven’s book, “Sea Stories, My Life in Special Operations”.  Having just read “No Easy Day”, about the life of Mark Owens, one of the Seals  in the assault unit that helped cap that jack-off Osama Bin Laden (may he burn in hell), McRaven tells the story from the top.   Owen was on the ground and had to train and physically  do the Op.  McRaven had to get the Op planned and approved for execution.  It was a nice way to see both sides of the planning. 

But there is so much more in McRaven’s book.  His childhood, his mentors, and the various missions he undertook during his career. Of particular insight are the memories of his dad and his compatriots, all noble warfighters in their own rite.  Straight out of the annals of USAF history, fighter pilot types, with Robin Olds charisma.  His early days doing things kids do, trying to save the world, one tree fort at time.  A story that resonates with the many tree forts I constructed in my youth, most from lumber that was acquired in the many ways kids acquired the necessary resources to undertake such construction.  And then the missions they would embark on, without the gadgetry of a 007, but with Sean Connery on their mind.  Given the penasch of a gentleman spy, the lack of the necessary subject matter within the confines of a tree house, Playboy magazine for instance, seems suspiciously absent from his childhood.  

Mcraven ends each chapter with a soliloquy that is both uplifting and Spiritual.  Uplifting in the sense that he gives justification for the rough men that stand ready to do what needs to be done to keep us safe and spiritual in the sense that he seems to be in prayer, giving thanks to a God that is clearly present and real for him, a God that though an unseen hand, has kept him alive though circumstances that others haven't survived (or been as lucky) and extracted justice  from and upon the forces of evil that seem to separate humankind from crimes that clearly give most of the world the higher ground.  No laws seem to govern the lawless terrorists who believe their God, justify their actions against innocent lives and other seemingly indiscriminate atrocities that most of civilization judges to be, both legally and morally abhorrent.  Mcraven is correct in my opinion and I'm glad he included these sermons surmising each chapter to remind us how ugly the human heart can become, let alone the ugly business of war.  But with some principles of decency which tend to be more prominent within the vastest of  human behavior, he uses Hellen Keller's unique character to bolster his position in the words she spoke.   

One criticism of McRaven which could be incorrect, and thus  it's a compliment to him and a flaw in my own character, is that he portrays himself as a complete boy scout.  If everything he has ever done with the integrity behind which seems unassailable, and in his own words are absolutely true, he is the last boy scout.   But knowing what I know is the human condition, it stretches credibility to believe that he has only lied once in his life.  Knowing what I know and attempting to read between some of the lines,  it seems fair to believe his words cannot be taken completely accurately. Whether it be to protect national secrets or professional dealings with bosses or subordinates, particularly as it might reveal personal relationships or sensitive information, it all cannot be true.  Whether it be an act of human frailty or for political expediency, saying that you never lie, or portraying yourself thus, is to in fact engage in dishonesty.  I don’t believe everything he has written.  Ironically I would believe him more if he confessed to a few more acts of something less than seemingly  infallible integrity.  This is a minor point, but a conundrum for me.  It is not an accusation of any sort to impugn the integrity of this great and decent man, who at a minimum, kept his planning for the OBL raid, under incredibly tight lips.   

His walk through life does seem to be a series of sea stories from which he drew his life lessons.  McRaven is a man of principle, discipline, and considered thinking. I’m sure he has many more stories to tell.  I think he should tell them in a similar fashion.  These are the stories from the air he heard around the table at the Officers club from his dad and friends while growing up.  Sea stories of this fashion do not jeopardize national security.  They are the stories that should be told, the stories that make us bold, and dream of an  exciting life.  Without these anecdotes of life passed down through generations, as happens in countless military families, we wouldn’t have a culture of proud Americans willing to volunteer for the opportunity to defend our freedoms that we hold so dear.

Well written.  Glad I read this book. Four stars for this 4 Star Admiral