Good Military Memoirs/Non-fiction Accounts.

[Aidan]

This is what I have read thus far. I prefer Special Operations books but others will due just fine.

The Heart and the Fist
The Unforgiving Minute
Rogue Warrior (Just for laughs)
SEAL Team Six
Inside SEAL Team Six
No Easy Day
Inside Delta Force
The Only Thing Worth Dying For
One Bullet Away
Generation Kill
American Sniper
The Finishing School

 

[asewland]

I have two books that I recently that would make this list:
That Others May Live by Jack Brehm
The Mission, The Men, and Me by Pete Blaber

 

[asewland]

*read

 

[AWP]

Um....there are already a few threads on this topic out there.

And at 16, how do you rate "good?" Easy to ready? Entertaining? Factual? What is your criteria for "good"?

 

[Aidan]

Um....there are already a few threads on this topic out there.

And at 16, how do you rate "good?" Easy to ready? Entertaining? Factual? What is your criteria for "good"?

Factual and informative are my two main criteria. Readability isn't a problem for me. I wouldn't mind reading some more officers memoirs since that is what I am most interested in pursuing. Most of those books up there were written by NCOs.

 

[policemedic]

I find it interesting that at 16 you have the professional acumen in military special operations to make a wise crack about the autobiography of the officer who stood up SEAL Team 6.

 

[Aidan]

I find it interesting that at 16 you have the professional acumen in military special operations to make a wise crack about the autobiography of the officer who stood up SEAL Team 6.

I read a lot because I want to learn... That is why I'm on this sight in the first place.

 

[Hillclimb]

I read a lot because I want to learn... That is why I'm on this sight in the first place.

SA. Let me help you with that. :blkeye:

Google acumen, re-read your post, then re-read Policemedic's post. The manner in which you took to reading Richard Marcinko's book in is probably what Policemedic is talking about(just for laughs). That is probably still one of my favorite military non-fiction books of all time, and I believe the first one I ever read. Its worth more than 'just for laughs.'

 

[walra107]

Not to add onto the dogpile (and I am certainly no expert) but since you are interested in pursuing the officer path, you might not want to count out any book written by the enlisted/NCO/SNCO perspective...In fact that point of view will be the MOST beneficial to you if/when you get to where you want to go. On that same note, Non-SOF related books are just as informative to somebody in your shoes, there may be a time(since you're only 16) when you decide SOF might not be your route, research and take in the whole picture...Good luck, and lock that Situational Awareness in, I may not be one of these badass guys with the colored tags under their names, but I do understand SA and its benefit. Luckily you are young enough to correct these things.

...And I won't even comment on the (just for laughs) about Rogue Warrior....but I think you've been warned

 

[Chopstick]

This is what I have read thus far. I prefer Special Operations books but others will due just fine.l

 

[AWP]

Factual and informative are my two main criteria. Readability isn't a problem for me. I wouldn't mind reading some more officers memoirs since that is what I am most interested in pursuing. Most of those books up there were written by NCOs.

Right there is where you show your ignorance about the military.

I'm not going to beat you up, but you have a lot to learn. As to factual accuracy, one book on your list has at least one allegedly fictitious passage. Another probably shouldn't have been written and has numerous factual errors in it. At least one more has several passages that offer a narrow-minded (tunnel vision) view of certain events within it.

Because I'm a nice guy, or try to be, go look at these threads:

http://www.shadowspear.com/vb/threads/military-leaders-reading-lists.12746/

http://www.shadowspear.com/vb/threads/recommended-reading-list-for-army-wannabes.3767/

 

[Marauder06]

If you want to read a memoir written by an officer, pre-order General McChrystal's book, My Share of the Task, which will be released on/about 07JAN13. I suspect that it will be very, very good. It also has the side benefit of not being a sell-out, OPSEC-violating, NDA-disregarding, I-need-it-for-my-ego tell-all like many of the books already mentioned because it was cleared with the appropriate agencies prior to publication.

 

[Salt USMC]

I'm currently reading "Fearless" by the always-incredible Eric Blehm. Its the story of deceased DEVGRU member Adam Brown and his absolutely incredible life story. He overcame drug addiction and jail to become a Navy SEAL, then lost an eye in a freak training accident. Despite all that, he re-trained himself how to do everything with his left and no peripheral vision and earned a coveted spot in a DEVGRU squadron. Even after losing some fingers on his right hand due to a freak accident, he still perseveres. His story is absolutely incredible and I think every wannabe should read it. Hell, every American citizen should read it!

 

[AWP]

I'm currently reading "Fearless" by the always-incredible Eric Blehm. Its the story of deceased DEVGRU member Adam Brown and his absolutely incredible life story. He overcame drug addiction and jail to become a Navy SEAL, then lost an eye in a freak training accident AND lost some fingers on his shooting hand. Despite all that, he re-trained himself how to do everything with his left and no peripheral vision and earned a coveted spot in a DEVGRU squadron. His story is absolutely incredible and I think every wannabe should read it. Hell, every American citizen should read it!

It is a good book. I like how he was still using after BUD/S and another SEAL covered for him. If you take Fearless and Bissonette's book you'll have a decent idea of what DEVGRU selection consists of.

 

[Salt USMC]

It is a good book. I like how he was still using after BUD/S and another SEAL covered for him. If you take Fearless and Bissonette's book you'll have a decent idea of what DEVGRU selection consists of.

Indeed. Adam Brown could've been just another "Wow, he had so much potential, too bad he got into drugs" case. Instead, with a little help from family and friends, overcame those internal demons to rise to the top. I guess sometimes its just a case of wanting something badly enough.

 

[Aidan]

SA. Let me help you with that. :blkeye:

Google acumen, re-read your post, then re-read Policemedic's post. The manner in which you took to reading Richard Marcinko's book in is probably what Policemedic is talking about(just for laughs). That is probably still one of my favorite military non-fiction books of all time, and I believe the first one I ever read. Its worth more than 'just for laughs.'

Oh yeah there is no doubt that Rogue Warrior is one of the most incredible military accounts that I have ever read. It is just that I read SEAL Team Six by Howard Wasdin first and he ripped on Dick Marcinko a lot. Plus I had already played the Rogue Warrior video game which was laughable so I had some biases going into the book. It is true that I bought it because I thought it would be funny; however, I did get more out of it than just laughs. And P.S. I know what acumen means but I googled it just for you: The ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain: "business acumen".

 

[Aidan]

Not to add onto the dogpile (and I am certainly no expert) but since you are interested in pursuing the officer path, you might not want to count out any book written by the enlisted/NCO/SNCO perspective...In fact that point of view will be the MOST beneficial to you if/when you get to where you want to go. On that same note, Non-SOF related books are just as informative to somebody in your shoes, there may be a time(since you're only 16) when you decide SOF might not be your route, research and take in the whole picture...Good luck, and lock that Situational Awareness in, I may not be one of these badass guys with the colored tags under their names, but I do understand SA and its benefit. Luckily you are young enough to correct these things.

...And I won't even comment on the (just for laughs) about Rogue Warrior....but I think you've been warned

Y

Right there is where you show your ignorance about the military.

I'm not going to beat you up, but you have a lot to learn. As to factual accuracy, one book on your list has at least one allegedly fictitious passage. Another probably shouldn't have been written and has numerous factual errors in it. At least one more has several passages that offer a narrow-minded (tunnel vision) view of certain events within it.

Because I'm a nice guy, or try to be, go look at these threads:

http://www.shadowspear.com/vb/threads/military-leaders-reading-lists.12746/

http://www.shadowspear.com/vb/threads/recommended-reading-list-for-army-wannabes.3767/

Thanks, honestly. I am only sixteen and don't have a lot of knowledge and I would rather embarrass myself on an online forum than in front of my friends or god forbid actual veterans. I want to learn and you all should worry about being dicks to me as long as it is for the purpose of my own much needed education. Thanks and Merry Christmas Eve.

 

[AWP]

I want to learn and you all should worry about being dicks to me as long as it is for the purpose of my own much needed education. Thanks and Merry Christmas Eve.

Excuse me?

 

[AWP]

The more I think about it, the more I realize that you have a lot of growing up to do. I went back in this thread to find evidence of dickitude and to be honest, Sally, it really wasn't that bad. I'm especially irritated that I tried to help you, that I took about 5-10 minutes out of my day to help, and how did you repay me?

By calling me a dick. Awesome.

16...I remember that age so long ago, being a know-it-all myself. The difference between you and I, and most on this board, is that we generally kept that to ourselves, maybe showed our ignorance to our friends, but that was about it. The concept of going up to a group of vets with the attitude you've displayed never factored into my decision making process. I guess you could say I had a certain level of acumen when dealing with people.

You need thick skin. Not thicker skin, but thick skin, because it is clear by your butt-hurt response your psyche is fragile, like tissue paper or a spider's web. I want to believe that you have promise, but your willingness to act all tough and like a keyboard commando...I just don't think you'd call any of us a dick to our faces. Kudos to you for your Marcinko-like use of the Emerson CQC keyboard. BAM! I are eviscerated. lullz

So, here's how this ends. I'm dropping a 72-hour banhammer on you and discussing this with the rest of the staff to see if it should be a little more..."prolonged."

Merry Christmas!

 

[Polar Bear]

This is what I have read thus far. I prefer Special Operations books but others will due just fine.

The Heart and the Fist
The Unforgiving Minute
Rogue Warrior (Just for laughs)
SEAL Team Six
Inside SEAL Team Six
No Easy Day
Inside Delta Force
The Only Thing Worth Dying For
One Bullet Away
Generation Kill
American Sniper
The Finishing School

Have you read the Bible? I am sure there is a passage saying respect your elders. If you show up on our radar again you will be ban. Merry F'n Christmas clown