After nearly a year out east, I returned to California in January of 1994 with orders to report to HS-10, the helicopter training squadron in San Diego where I would spend six months learning the ropes before finally deploying as part of an operational squadron. But there were a few more hurdles to clear first, and the toughest of these was what came next. Before you can become … [Read more...] about War Stories: Navy Survival and Prisoner of War School
In the spring of 2000 our eighteen-month work-up concluded with an Operational Readiness Exam (ORE), conducted off San Clemente Island, in which a small group of us simulated a covert tagging and tracking op on an enemy vessel. There were some tricky issues with water currents on the way back in, and things got sketchy. By the time we got back to rendezvous with our vessel I … [Read more...] about War Stories: Navy SEAL Sniper School
1. Paramilitary Contractor Most guys I know who did over ten years in the Teams are on this gig. I think most like it because of two reasons: freedom and pay. Not too many places you can make over a $100k a year and work 4-6 months. Tired of paying Uncle Sam? Move to Thailand or the Philippines. I know a lot of guys who are banking 100% of their paychecks and laughing on the … [Read more...] about Top 5 jobs Navy SEALs take after service
The concern around intellectual property, industrial subsidies, currency manipulation, and forced technology transfers from U.S. companies to Chinese counterparts is real, but America needs to look to the future, not the past. Thinking about what the global economy will look like in the next century is the main reason America should still want healthy trade with China. Our … [Read more...] about Why US trade with China is a good thing
“The 21st Century is ushering in a tremendous shift in training methodology and technology implementation in the asymmetric battle field. The modern day sniper is evolving with this shift and turning into one of the most effective tools in the inventory.”-Brandon Webb, Former SEAL Sniper Course Manager. "How do you know where you're going if you don't know where you've … [Read more...] about Military snipers: Past and present
The fire on board the Conception is a nightmare scenario. A wood and fiberglass boat, at night, while passengers are engulfed in flames as they sleep below decks. By the time the crew wakes up, there's not much to do but save your own life at that point, a terrible thing to even imagine. The crew sleeps in separate above-deck quarters from the passengers on this boat. I know … [Read more...] about Industry insider on likely cause and effect of the California boat fire tragedy
To prove the value of mental management and rehearsal, I would often relate a true story related to the topic. A Navy fighter pilot was shot down in Vietnam, captured and imprisoned for years in the famous prisoner of war camp the "Hanoi Hilton". The pilot was an avid golfer back home, and to get through the extremely demanding situation, he would shoot rounds of golf in his … [Read more...] about How to become a Navy SEAL sniper: The only easy day was yesterday
It's pretty safe to say that most Spec Ops/SOF guys have no inner monologue. I can't tell you how many times I've been on the road with the guys and some single Team Guy will say out loud "boy, I would really like to rip our waitress's clothes off." This would be alright if she wasn't standing right there of course. This lack of inner monologue only gets worse when you add … [Read more...] about Sh!t Navy SEALs say
The cold morning air hung thick in the Afghan valley. Each warm exhale would briefly fog the outside corner of my riflescope as I waited and maintained a clear view of my target. I could make out a middle-aged man, in traditional Afghan dress, with a crook in his step, perhaps a wound and story from another conflict. Intense training in the elite US Navy SEAL Sniper course had … [Read more...] about How to become a Navy SEAL sniper: A special breed
I lost everything I owned three years after leaving the Navy, including my marriage. Then I picked myself up, dusted off, and built a new life outside of my service. It was a tough, lonely, and sometimes scary, road. As we are experiencing one of the largest migrations of combat veterans to civilian life since World War II, it is my goal to share my own transition experience … [Read more...] about Important tips on transitioning from military to civilian life
You don't have to like it, but it's coming: another four years of President Trump. His base has never been stronger, he's got a massive war chest, and he has singular focus. The Democrats are eating themselves alive and the party is at odds with itself. Whatever side of the political spectrum you identify with, one thing I think we can all agree on is that American politics … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Why Trump wins again in 2020
My friend Glen (Navy SEAL/CIA, KIA in Benghazi, Libya in 2012) and I departed from Peoria, Illinois and started to pick up ice climbing through 4,000 feet just after losing communications with departure control. Fun meter pegged. I had purchased my first airplane in 2003, a little 1980 Cessna 172 and had this great idea to fly it back to California from Illinois in … [Read more...] about From Navy SEAL to warbird pilot, flying across America in the Epsilon
