A bit disturbing were the chapters about Mr. Wasdin’s childhood and the abuse he suffered by his stepfather. Mr. Wasdin credits that abuse with his current ability to withstand pain and his attention to detail, which I gather he truly believes.
I don’t want anyone who read this book to think that if you beat the living hell out of your child he’ll turn out to be a Navy SEAL or an elite warrior. Mr. Wasdin does make that point very clearly in the book, but I feel he didn’t make it strongly enough or often enough.
During my service I have met many people from the special forces including the most elite units and the one thing common to all was the simple fact that this is what they were born to do. You cannot learn or acquire the characteristics to become an elite warrior. You either have those qualities or you don’t. Of course you can hone your skills, find the hidden talents, sharpen them and practice to become better but you have to be born with them to begin with.
At the end of SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy Sniper there is a small section about the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, founded in 1980 as a college scholarship fund for children of special operations warriors who have been killed. Please take some time to visit them and make a donation if you can.
By the way, this book just happens to come out after the SEAL Team Six took out Bin-Laden. It was not rushed to print because of the operation. I thought this was an important point to make.
Article comments
1 - Sue Wasdin
I wanted to comment on Howard Wasdin's book, Seal Team VI, Memoirs of a Navy Seal Sniper. The Wasdin family does not support this book. His accounts of his childhood are only from him and no one can verify these accounts. His memories are exaggerated in some cases and often fabricated.
2 - Robert Anderson
I thought Howard Wasdin's comments in his book 'Seal Team 6 - Memoirs of a Navy Seal Sniper' regarding his ex-wife (Laura) giving birth to someone else's baby is borderline apppropriate (hey, you have kids Wasdin who will read this, just say you and your wife grew apart) and certainly inappropriate was the comment the baby was of another race. Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot! Certainly implying the baby was either Black or Asian. So what are you really trying to say Wasdin? Editor should have caught this.
3 - Norman L Smith
This was one of those books that grabbed you from the first sentence and wouldn't let go until the very end. I received the book in my morning mail and couldn't put it down until I finished reading. I am sure there are those who will take exception with some of the details in the book but for me Howard it was very inspiring and gut wrenching at the same time.
I do agree with one of the previous reviewers when they say you have to be born with such a strong fortitude to be able to endure all of the extreme training it takes to get to the level you and others in the special forces are able to achieve, I commend you and your brothers for your service to this country. In my opinion, Seal Team Six will surely be a national best seller.
sincerely Norman L Smith
4 - JOSEPH BOURQUE USN retired
I just received this book and read it in a couple of sittings. Having served with Seals ( I was not a Seal, but did go to Sere school in Coranado before going to Nam) I believe that they are born with these traits which help them excel. Most Seals that I have known, have difficulty adjusting to the real world. I think Wasdin expressed this mental conflict very well. As far as his boyhood and divorce, these things happen and have an effect on your life. If you give your all for God and country it is going to hurt your marriage. With all the Hype with war movies and video games in today's society the fact is overlooked that in real war, when your dead you are dead. it is real! Also, you have to sometimes have to work for some real "A" holes. I thank Howard for his service and for giving a factual account of what war is all about. I for one support him and will get this book out to as many people I can.
5 - Belgie
This is an incredible story of Mr. Wasdin's life. Once you pick it up, it is difficult to lay it down. It reads well (and quickly) from cover to cover. It grabs you and does not let you go. I feel this book also brings honor to the SEALS. It corrects many misconceptions that people have and really takes you inside of the type of individual it takes to become one of these elite