SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper by Howard E. Wasdin

Sep 27, 2011 Michael rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

SPOILER ALERT
I found this book OK at first but then I got bored by listening to Wasdin's hypocrisy. "I hate the damn liberal media", oh unless I am trying to make a buck selling my book, then they are OK. He talks about how he respects all the other soldiers and then goes on to say how much better his SEALs and Delta are. He talks about how in Somalia they did not hang out with the Rangers because they were above them. Then, later goes on, many times, saying how they fought bravely. Pretty conde...more SPOILER ALERT
I found this book OK at first but then I got bored by listening to Wasdin's hypocrisy. "I hate the damn liberal media", oh unless I am trying to make a buck selling my book, then they are OK. He talks about how he respects all the other soldiers and then goes on to say how much better his SEALs and Delta are. He talks about how in Somalia they did not hang out with the Rangers because they were above them. Then, later goes on, many times, saying how they fought bravely. Pretty condescending if you ask me.

He and his buddies beat up a Tunisian guy in a bar for criticizing the USA, then they beat up the bouncer when he tries to stop them from leaving. When the cops arrive they take them on. I guess he takes his oath to defend the US Constitution (freedom of speech) seriously. Oh, and when they finally go their court date the judge dismissed all charges based on the fact that they are serving our country. I am pretty sure that joining the service, no matter how elite, does not make you above the law. I guess Wasdin and the judge disagree.

He also talks about brands (sunglasses and knives and pants) for than my sister did when we were in high school, and that was a lot.

I especially like when he goes to a church Brother after he has killed someone about how it will affect his time in eternity. He is assured that it won't affect him negatively. OK, I guess this brother knows all. I will never question the morals of what I am doing again. Brother Ron said its OK. And he must be right. It is pretty weird how he can ask one guy if its OK (as if he is asking god himself) and when he gets an answer he likes he accepts it as truth.

Oh, then there are the animals that he kids for fun. He stomps a captured rat with his foot. Kills many Kangaroos, one wild pig, a deer, gazelles, and impala, and tortures a goat or two by shooting and stabbing it in multiple locations. The goat torture was to learn how to save other soldiers. I am sure the best way to learn how to save a human being from a gunshot is to practice on goats.

The guy sounds like a jerk, and since he write the book I'm guessing its pretty accurate on that account.

I have a friend that was a NAVY Seal and know a guy that was in SF in Norway, and found them to be more than professional and mature. They knew how to have fun but would never start a fight. They would fight to win if they had no other choices but they were always the ones saying "lets just walk away."

I enjoyed reading about the training and the missions but I did not like who I was reading about, especially his arrogance.

Finally, the fact is that the book is pretty poorly written. My review is probably poorly written but then I an a scientist not a writer. If you like this kind of book I really recommend Jarhead. Its a better book and the writing is very good. The author is also more likable.

Here is another funny thing. On goodreads I have only received agreeing comments on this review. I posted the same review on Kindle/Amazon and people were angry. I was berated and ridiculed as unpatriotic.

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Mar 25, 2012 Amelia rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bucket-list-100-books-in-2-years

If "Seal Team Six" was a movie, I envision it staring Dane Cook and Jesse Metcalfe, produced by Michael Bay and set to the soundtrack of Lincoln Park. It would cost millions to make, but be slammed by critics and make barely any money at the box office.

There are elements of the military I will never understand. I get that. But I really felt uncomfortable that an elite military member was bragging about such acts he says are just part of military life that I believe are a rare exception to the pe...more

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Aug 02, 2011 Steven Kent rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction, stuff-that-s-good-to-konw, unneeded-knowledge

This is NOT NOT NOT a novel. It is the real-life memoirs of a real-life member of Seal Team Six. For those of you who, like me, are not familiar with the various Seal teams, SEAL Team Six is as elite among the SEALs as the SEALs are elite among sailors. These are the guys who do the hardest jobs assigned to the SEALs. For decades, they seemed to only exist as rumors and sightings, sort of a cross between James Bond, Bigfoot and G.I. Joe.

Howard Wasdin, the author of this book, was an adrenaline j...more

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Jun 29, 2011 deep rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wasdin succeeds at painting himself as a d-bag using his difficult childhood to win weapons and training to become a d-bag with a license to kill. In between numerous accounts of how various groups of human beings would cower in shock and awe, and the superficial philosophical awakenings, there is enough operational insight into the SEALs to leave you just feeling contempt for the author rather than having wasted your time entirely for not giving up at the first mention of Coors Light.

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Dec 10, 2011 Nathan Dunning rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Seal Team Six Memories of an Elite Navy Seal Sniper, by Howard E. Watson and Stephen Templin. The story of a mans struggles through life to become part of the most Elite team on the plant. This story takes you through his troubled childhood with an abusive step father and having to work every day in his life out in the field. He shares his struggles throughout navy seal school and in real combat. It is never easy for any one to deal with fighting in a real war. Seals are almost always out number...more

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May 13, 2013 Leon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When the Navy sends their elite, they send the SEALs. When the SEALs send their elite, they send SEAL Team Six

SEAL Team Six is a secret unit tasked with counterterrorism, hostage rescue, and counterinsurgency. In this dramatic, behind-the-scenes chronicle, Howard Wasdin takes readers deep inside the world of Navy SEALS and Special Forces snipers, beginning with the grueling selection process of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S)—the toughest and longest military training in the world.

A

...more

When the Navy sends their elite, they send the SEALs. When the SEALs send their elite, they send SEAL Team Six

SEAL Team Six is a secret unit tasked with counterterrorism, hostage rescue, and counterinsurgency. In this dramatic, behind-the-scenes chronicle, Howard Wasdin takes readers deep inside the world of Navy SEALS and Special Forces snipers, beginning with the grueling selection process of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S)—the toughest and longest military training in the world.

After graduating, Wasdin faced new challenges. First there was combat in Operation Desert Storm as a member of SEAL Team Two. Then the Green Course: the selection process to join the legendary SEAL Team Six, with a curriculum that included practiced land warfare to unarmed combat. More than learning how to pick a lock, they learned how to blow the door off its hinges. Finally as a member of SEAL Team Six he graduated from the most storied and challenging sniper program in the country: The Marine’s Scout Sniper School. Eventually, of the 18 snipers in SEAL Team Six, Wasdin became the best—which meant one of the best snipers on the planet.

Less than half a year after sniper school, he was fighting for his life. The mission: capture or kill Somalian warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. From rooftops, helicopters and alleys, Wasdin hunted Aidid and killed his men whenever possible. But everything went quickly to hell when his small band of soldiers found themselves fighting for their lives, cut off from help, and desperately trying to rescue downed comrades during a routine mission. The Battle of Mogadishu, as it become known, left 18 American soldiers dead and 73 wounded. Howard Wasdin had both of his legs nearly blown off while engaging the enemy. His dramatic combat tales combined with inside details of becoming one of the world’s deadliest snipers make this one of the most explosive military memoirs in years.

Amazon.com Review

Product Description

When the Navy sends their elite, they send the SEALs. When the SEALs send their elite, they send SEAL Team Six

SEAL Team Six is a secret unit tasked with counterterrorism, hostage rescue, and counterinsurgency. In this dramatic, behind-the-scenes chronicle, Howard Wasdin takes readers deep inside the world of Navy SEALS and Special Forces snipers, beginning with the grueling selection process of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S)—the toughest and longest military training in the world.

After graduating, Wasdin faced new challenges. First there was combat in Operation Desert Storm as a member of SEAL Team Two. Then the Green Course: the selection process to join the legendary SEAL Team Six, with a curriculum that included practiced land warfare to unarmed combat. More than learning how to pick a lock, they learned how to blow the door off its hinges. Finally as a member of SEAL Team Six he graduated from the most storied and challenging sniper program in the country: The Marine’s Scout Sniper School. Eventually, of the 18 snipers in SEAL Team Six, Wasdin became the best—which meant one of the best snipers on the planet.

Less than half a year after sniper school, he was fighting for his life. The mission: capture or kill Somalian warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. From rooftops, helicopters and alleys, Wasdin hunted Aidid and killed his men whenever possible. But everything went quickly to hell when his small band of soldiers found themselves fighting for their lives, cut off from help, and desperately trying to rescue downed comrades during a routine mission. The Battle of Mogadishu, as it become known, left 18 American soldiers dead and 73 wounded. Howard Wasdin had both of his legs nearly blown off while engaging the enemy. His dramatic combat tales combined with inside details of becoming one of the world’s deadliest snipers make this one of the most explosive military memoirs in years.

An Excerpt from *SEAL Team Six*

Chapter One

Reach Out and Touch Someone

When the U.S. Navy sends their elite, they send the SEALs. When the SEALs send their elite, they send SEAL Team Six, the navy's equivalent to the army's Delta Force—tasked with counterterrorism and counterinsurgency, occasionally working with the CIA. This is the first time a SEAL Team Six sniper's story has been exposed. My story.

Snipers avoid exposure. Although we prefer to act rather than be acted upon, some forces are beyond our control. We rely on our strengths to exploit the enemy's vulnerabilities; however, during the war in the Persian Gulf I became vulnerable as the lone person on the fantail of an enemy ship filled with a crew working for Saddam Hussein. On yet another occasion, despite being a master of cover and concealment, I lay naked on an aircraft runway in a Third World country with bullet holes in both legs, the right leg nearly blown off by an AK-47 bullet. Sometimes we must face what we try to avoid.

In the morning darkness of September 18, 1993, in Mogadishu, Somalia, Casanova and I crept over the ledge of a retaining wall and climbed to the top of a six-story tower. Even at this early hour there were already people moving around. Men, women, and children relieved themselves in the streets. I smelled the morning fires being lit, fueled by dried animal dung and whatever else people could find to burn. The fires heated any food the Somalis had managed to obtain. Warlord Aidid knew fully the power of controlling the food supply. Every time I saw a starving child, I blamed Aidid for his evil power play that facilitated this devastation of life.

The tower we were on was located in the middle of the Pakistani compound. The Pakistanis were professional and treated us with great respect. When it was teatime, the boy in charge of serving always brought us a cup. I had even developed a taste for the fresh goat milk they used in the tea. The sounds and scents of the goatherd in the compound reached my senses as Casanova and I crawled onto the outer lip at the top of the tower. There we lay prone, watching a large garage, a vehicle body shop that had no roof. Surrounding the garage was a city of despair. Somalis trudged along with their heads and shoulders lowered. Helplessness dimmed their faces, and starvation pulled the skin tight across their bones. Because this was a "better" part of town, multilevel buildings stood in fairly good repair. There were concrete block houses instead of the tin and wooden lean-to sheds that dominated most of the city and countryside. Nevertheless, the smell of human waste and death—mixed with hopelessness—filled the air. Yes, hopelessness has a smell. People use the term "developing countries," but that is bullcrap. What developed in Somalia was things such as hunger and fighting. I think "developing countries" is just a term used to make the people who coined it feel better. No matter what you call them, starvation and war are two of the worst events imaginable.

I calculated the exact distances to certain buildings. There are two primary considerations when making a sniper shot, windage and elevation. Because there was no significant wind that could throw my shot left or right, I didn't have to compensate for it. Elevation is the variable considered for range/distance to the target. Since most of my potential targets were between 200 yards (garage) and 650 yards (intersection beyond the target garage), I dialed my scope in at 500 yards. This way I could just hold my rifle higher or lower depending on range. When the shooting began, there would be no time to dial in range corrections on my scope between shots.

We started our surveillance at 0600. While we waited for our agent to give us the signal, I played different scenarios over in my mind: one enemy popping out at one location, then another popping up at another location, and so on. I would acquire, aim, and even do a simulated trigger pull, going through my rehearsed breathing and follow-through routine while picturing the actual engagement. Then I simulated reloading and getting back into my Leupold 10-power scope, continuing to scan for more booger-eaters. I had done this dry firing and actual firing thousands of times—wet, dry, muddy, snowbound, from a dug-in hole in the ground, from an urban sniper hide through a partially open window, and nearly every which way imaginable. The words they had drilled into our heads since we began SEAL training were true, "The more you sweat in peacetime, the less you bleed in war." This particular day, I was charged with making sure none of my Delta Force buddies sprang a leak as I covered their insertion into the garage. My buddies' not bleeding in war was every bit as important as my not bleeding.

Our target for this mission was Osman Ali Atto—Warlord Aidid's main financier. Although Casanova and I would've been able to recognize the target from our previous surveillance, we were required to have confirmation of his identity from the CIA asset before we gave the launch command.

The irony wasn't lost on me that we were capturing Atto instead of killing him—despite the fact that he and his boss had killed hundreds of thousands of Somalis. I felt that if we could kill Atto and Aidid, we could stop the fighting, get the food to the people quickly, and go home in one piece.

It wasn't until around 0815 that our asset finally gave the predetermined signal. He was doing this because the CIA paid him well. I had learned firsthand while working with the CIA how payoffs could sway loyalty.

When we saw the signal, Casanova and I launched the "full package." Little Bird and Black Hawk helicopters filled the sky. During this time, the Delta operators literally had their butts hanging out—the urban environment provided too much cover, too much concealment, and too many escape routes for the enemy. All a hostile had to do was shoot a few rounds at a helo or Humvee, jump back inside a building, and put his weapon down. Even if he reappeared, he was not considered hostile without a weapon. Things happened fast, and the environment was unforgiving.

Delta Force operators fast-roped down inside the garage, Rangers fast-roped around the garage, and Birds flew overhead with Delta snipers giving the assault force protection. Atto's people scattered like rats. Soon, enemy militia appeared in the neighborhood shooting up at the helicopters.

Normally, snipers operate in a spotter-sniper relationship. The spotter identifies, ranges the targets, and relays them to the sniper for execution. There would be no time for that on this op—we were engaged in urban warfare. In this environment, an enemy could appear from anywhere. Even worse, the enemy dressed the same as a civilian. We had to wait and see his intention. Even if he appeared with a gun, there was a chance he was part of a clan on our side. We had to wait until the person pointed the weapon in the direction of our guys. Then we would ensure the enemy ceased to exist.

There would be no time for makeup or second shots. Both Casanova and I wielded .300 Win Mag sniper rifles.

Through my Leupold 10-power scope, I saw a militiaman 500 yards away firing through an open window at the helos. I made a mental note to keep my heart rate down and centered the crosshairs on him as my muscle memory took over—stock firmly into the shoulder, cheek positioned behind the scope, eye focused on the center of the crosshairs rather than the enemy, and steady trigger squeezing (even though it was only a light, 2-pound pull). I felt the gratifying recoil of my rifle. The round hit him in the side of the chest, entering his left and exiting his right. He convulsed and buckled, falling backward into the building—permanently. I quickly got back into my scope and scanned. Game on now. All other thoughts departed my mind. I was at one with my Win Mag, scanning my sector. Casanova scanned his sector, too.

Another militiaman carrying an AK-47 came out a fire escape door on the side of a building 300 yards away from me and aimed his rifle at the Delta operators assaulting the garage. From his position, I'm sure he thought he was safe from the assaulters, and he probably was. He was not safe from me—300 yards wasn't even a challenge. I shot him through his left side, and the round exited his right. He slumped down onto the fire escape landing, never knowing what hit him. His AK-47 lay silent next to him. Someone tried to reach out and retrieve the weapon—one round from my Win Mag put a stop to that. Each time I made a shot, I immediately forgot about that target and scanned for another.

Chaos erupted inside and outside of the garage. People ran everywhere. Little Birds and Black Hawks filled the skies with deafening rotor blasts. I was in my own little world, though. Nothing existed outside my scope and my mission. Let the Unit guys handle their business in the garage. My business was reaching out and touching the enemy.

This wasn't the first time I'd killed for my country. It wouldn't be the last.

A few minutes passed as I continued scanning. More than 800 yards away, a guy popped up with an RPG launcher on his shoulder, preparing to fire at the helicopters. If I took him out, it would be the longest killing shot of my career. If I failed...

Review

Praise for SEAL Team Six:

“Mr. Wasdin’s narrative is visceral and as active as a Tom Clancy novel…[it] will also leave readers with a new appreciation of the training that enabled Seal Team Six to pull off the bin Laden raid with such precision…adrenaline-laced.” —The New York Times

"SEAL Team Six pulses with the grit of a Jerry Bruckheimer production...On his journey to becoming a member of the Navy's best of the best, Wasdin proved his mettle in Operation Desert Storm and endured training that would break the back of most mortal men." --The Washington Post

"[SEAL Team Six] describes the harrowing ops he undertook as part of the elite Seal Team Six squadron, including the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu that almost killed him....reveals an intimate look at the rigorous training and perilous missions of the best of the Navy's best." --Time

“SEAL Team Six is a masterful blend of one man’s—Waz-Man’s—journey from hard knocks to hard corps. Even better, Waz-Man and Templin can actually write as good as they can shoot. They capture your attention at every turn—not knowing if you’re about to take a bullet to the head from a SEAL sniper or get hit in the gut with a punch line.” —Dalton Fury, former Delta Force Commander and New York Times bestselling author of *Kill Bin Laden

*“Great insights into the training and operations of one of America’s premier counterterrorism units. Grabs you on page one and is hard to put down.” —General Henry H. Shelton, USA(R), former Commander-In-Chief, U.S. Special Operations Command and 14th Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

“Wasdin is a true warrior and real hero. SEAL Team Six is a must read.” —Gunnery Sgt. Jack Coughlin, USMC, and bestselling author of Shooter

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Mar 20, 2013 Josh R rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I currently just finished Seal Team Six Memoirs of an Elite Navy Seal Sniper by Howard Wasdin, this book is a behind the scenes look at SEAL Team Six, a unit which specializes in counter terrorism, hostage rescue, and counterinsurgency. Wasdin writes about the grueling selection processes, Basic Underwater Demolition(BUD/S) and sniper school. After going through the selection process, Wasdin faced combat operations in Desert Storm as a member of SEAL Team Two and got selected for SEAL Team Six....more I currently just finished Seal Team Six Memoirs of an Elite Navy Seal Sniper by Howard Wasdin, this book is a behind the scenes look at SEAL Team Six, a unit which specializes in counter terrorism, hostage rescue, and counterinsurgency. Wasdin writes about the grueling selection processes, Basic Underwater Demolition(BUD/S) and sniper school. After going through the selection process, Wasdin faced combat operations in Desert Storm as a member of SEAL Team Two and got selected for SEAL Team Six. He was sent to Somalia on a mission to capture or kill Somalian warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. The well-written SEAL Team Six walks the reader through Wasdin's childhood, Navy SEAL training, several missions, and Wasdin’s setting with his beloved wife and children.

This was an exciting book, an easy, fast read, and kept me turning the pages. At the beginning I thought there were a lot of product placement in SEAL Team Six, which I found, repetitive. But the more I read, the more I realized it's simply getting the point across to the reader that the equipment being used is the best of the best and why. A bit disturbing were the chapters about Wasdin's childhood and the abuse he suffered by his stepfather. He was repeatedly beaten by his stepfather all throughout his childhood. At one point he got whipped by his step dad so much he wasn't scared anymore, “Calm down. Stop Shaking. It isn't going to make it any better or any worse. Just take it”(28). Wasdin credits that abuse with his current ability to withstand pain and his attention to detail, which I really believe.The best chapters i thought, were about Somalia and the Battle of Mogadishu. His point of view is raw, and makes you feel like you're there. I am well knowledgeable about the tactics in military ops, and have seen all the war movies. But his ground perspective was an amazing experience to read and actually get a first hand account. I also liked the chapters about the rough training and the reasons for it. "The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle"(15). Including the mental strength that helps these warriors go through, what seems to the normal civilian, as almost superhuman tasks. The training he went trough is some of the toughest in the world, giving this man even more respect.

His book is split into chapters and parts. Part one, two, and three. These include the chapters dealing with his childhood and early military career in part one. Part two includes when he is selected to Seal Team Six and the beginning of his time in somalia. Lastly part three includes the end of his somalia tour and his retirement.

This book opened my eyes to the hells of war. It also showed me how much skill and dedication it takes to become an elite military member. This book has become very inspirational to me, and shows me that you can overcome anything through hard work and dedication. I've also greatly considered joining the military, and seeing what I can actually do as an individual. This book isn't for everyone, but i think someone who wants to get a greater understanding about what the military is really like, this is a great book and recommend to anyone who is interested.
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Feb 21, 2013 Joel.i rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

SEAL Team Six
by Howard Wasdin
Pages:331

Howard Wasdin a normal kid was beaten by his stepfather as a child and was raised in a unforgiving household. He was used to pain and the punishment of a belt on his back and hard work. But when he grew older and was looking for work this helped him when decided to join the navy for a occupation. Working in the navy as it was before new fights of terror not many people knew of this new group in the navy the SEALs. After a short term in the navy Wasdin decid...more

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Feb 19, 2013 Sandy Williams rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wow.

I'm not sure what to say about this book. I'm amazed that men like this exist. The things that they endured to get to where they are... Wow.

So, I listened to the audiobook just like I listened to the audiobook of NO EASY DAY. I seem to be addicted to these stories right now. I listen to them every chance I get. Um, even when I'm driving my kids to and from daycare. Probably not the best idea since one of them is a parrot these days and the books, understandably, contain a good amount of curs...more Wow.

I'm not sure what to say about this book. I'm amazed that men like this exist. The things that they endured to get to where they are... Wow.

So, I listened to the audiobook just like I listened to the audiobook of NO EASY DAY. I seem to be addicted to these stories right now. I listen to them every chance I get. Um, even when I'm driving my kids to and from daycare. Probably not the best idea since one of them is a parrot these days and the books, understandably, contain a good amount of cursing. (Sidenote: I dropped something yesterday and said, "shit". And Parrot immediately said "shit" too. ZOMG, I'm a horrible mom! Must watch language!) So, yeah, I think I'm going to have to stop listening to these in the car with the boys.

When I started this audiobook, I didn't think I'd like it as much as the previous one. The narrator seemed dryer, and there were some stories Wasdin told that left me wondering why they were included in the book. I didn't see a point to them. But once I was about a quarter of the way in, I was thoroughly hooked. I think it's the training that these men go through that just makes my jaw drop. Literally, during BUDS training (I think it's BUDs at least), they're brought to the first stages of hypothermia. Then they're offered hot chocolate.
And they don't take the hot chocolate! They stay there freezing their butts off. During some point in the training, they even start hallucinating, they're so sleep deprived and physically exhausted. It's insane. I don't know how they can make themselves go through the training.

Some things that surprised me about this book: it made me EXTREMELY disappointed in Italy. I want to say that I'm pissed off at the Italians, but I'm trying to keep my emotions in check and tell myself I only have one side of the story. Maybe things weren't what they seemed. Hard to believe, though. Very, very hard to believe. A good amount of this book deals with Somalia and the Battle of Mogadishu, and it seems like Italy made the situation there worse.

I was surprised by how much I respected the Pakistani soldiers. It seems like they did good things there.

And, of course, I was pretty pissed off with the Clinton Administration. To be fair, I'm incredibly torn over the whole idea of sending our troops into countries like Somalia. On one hand, I want to help them. The description Wasdin included of how they live was just heartbreaking. If our soldiers can help, should we help them? Should we sit back and let them help themselves? I don't know. One thing I do know, though, is we shouldn't half-ass a job, and I can't tell you how pissed I am that the men who died and were injured in Somalia pretty much sacrificed themselves for nothing. I might have been able to play devil's advocate and say the Clinton Administration was just cutting it's losses except for the fact that they returned the freaking assholes they'd captured after we left! WTF? Why? Unless we covertly brainwashed the Otto guy into opposing and killing Aidid, I have no idea. It makes no sense.

*ahem*

I do want to make a point and say that I was extremely happy with the ending of Wasdin's story. He's remarried, went to school, and is now a chiropractor. Happy transition from military to civilian life, yay! This guy is freaking amazing.

So, now I need to find another book like this to listen to. The stories are inspiring, and they make me want to do something to help all our soldiers. Both books so far have listed charities to help out, and I'd like to look into those so more. (less)

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Jan 20, 2013 Angel Martinez rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was very insightful. It goes into the mind of an elite special operator, talking about his rough childhood, to the challenges he endured during training and what happened after his major battle in Somalia where he was involved in the mission. His opinions, regarding the politics of the government and of the military i respected and could see why he would think things like, officials making decisions on things that they don't understand and the competition between Delta Force and SEAL T...more

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Jan 12, 2013 Sarah Eiseman rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was Howard Wasdin’s memoir on his service as a Navy SEAL sniper. I’ve been on a SEAL kick recently since reading both No Easy Day by Mark Owen and The Heart and the Fist by Eric Greitens, so I had some pretty high expectations with this book. I don’t want to say I didn’t enjoy the book, because I did, but I felt this book was more a cathartic exercise for Wasdin than solely a recollection of his experiences.

Parts of this story were very difficult to read. For example, Wasdin’s early li...more This book was Howard Wasdin’s memoir on his service as a Navy SEAL sniper. I’ve been on a SEAL kick recently since reading both No Easy Day by Mark Owen and The Heart and the Fist by Eric Greitens, so I had some pretty high expectations with this book. I don’t want to say I didn’t enjoy the book, because I did, but I felt this book was more a cathartic exercise for Wasdin than solely a recollection of his experiences.

Parts of this story were very difficult to read. For example, Wasdin’s early life, which molded much of his beliefs about persistence and attention to detail, he believed to be part of the reason he was able to excel at being a SEAL, especially during training. I found this so difficult to read, mostly because I have some pretty strong beliefs about child abuse. I know that he was young during a time that many of these issues weren’t dealt with the way they are today–and I’m very happy that he’s learned from these experiences to not be like that as a parent himself. I also had some issues when he spoke of his first wife, but perhaps without knowing more details it’s difficult to have a justified opinion. I just think that with books like this, with many impressionable young minds reading them and idolizing them, it’s important for writers to understand that they need to try to be as objective as possible. Perhaps that’s unfair in a memoir, but that’s my opinion. Being in the military is tough on more than just the soldier.

Overall, I felt this was a well-written book. It’s not a book I’d recommend to a young reader interested in becoming a SEAL, unless they had read some other SEAL books first. I think it’s really important to have a good understanding of the training, for those interested in becoming a SEAL. This book was more of a journey following being a SEAL and I wish Wasdin had spent a little more time talking about his transition to civilian life–especially knowing that this story is really one of overcoming adversity. The recounts of combat were very interesting and not overly graphic. As I’ve mentioned before, I have enormous respect for those who serve in the military, as the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran. Despite any personal reservations I may have had about this book, I thought it was an excellent read.(less)

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Nov 27, 2012 Matthew Poletti rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

SEAL Team Six is the memoir of Howard Wasdin, a country boy from Georgia who becomes a sniper in the Navy SEALs. Wasdin’s memoir gives the reader a glimpse into his troubled boyhood, filled with abuse and poverty. The difficulties of his childhood help him later in life as he goes through the grueling, often painful training to become a Navy SEAL. Wasdin takes several detours in the road of life and makes several missteps; his honesty is refreshing as he discusses his childhood, his failed marr...more SEAL Team Six is the memoir of Howard Wasdin, a country boy from Georgia who becomes a sniper in the Navy SEALs. Wasdin’s memoir gives the reader a glimpse into his troubled boyhood, filled with abuse and poverty. The difficulties of his childhood help him later in life as he goes through the grueling, often painful training to become a Navy SEAL. Wasdin takes several detours in the road of life and makes several missteps; his honesty is refreshing as he discusses his childhood, his failed marriage to his high school sweetheart, his extensive training, his recovery from life-threatening injuries, and his faith.
The part that will probably interest most readers is Wasdin’s participation in U.S. operations in Somalia in the 1990s and his first-hand account of what has become known as Black Hawk Down. Wasdin does not spare details about the military; he offers information on how different branches work together (or not), how the soldiers let off steam, and the competition that drives the men and agencies. His perspective on U.S. leadership might be “touchy” for some readers because he is straight-forward with his opinions. He also offers a beautiful glimpse into the humanity of the U.S. military when he tells the story of a young Somali boy who needed medication and was instead being left to die. The SEALs broke into the boy’s home, held him down, and administered the necessary medication – while making certain the boy’s family did not kill Wasdin and his team.
Readers who enjoy military exploits and true “reality” will find SEAL Team Six to be a powerful, if disturbing read. The incident now known as Black Hawk Down has the potential to anger readers because it was senseless and could have been avoided. Many good soldiers died and many more were injured in an exploit that had trouble written on it from its beginning. Wasdin’s graphic accounting is not for the faint of heart, but it is a worthwhile read for those up to the challenge.(less)

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Nov 08, 2012 Ethan Scott rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The book Seal Team Six is an autobiography of the life of a U.S. Navy Seal sniper named Howard Wasdin. The book follows Wasdin through his early life, Navy training, and military career. The author describes his surroundings and emotions extremely well all throughout the book. He continuously keeps the reader interested by using emotional appeal- being a navy seal is a difficult task and Wasdin clearly shows that. This book will definitaly appeal to any Military junky or someone who loves a good...more

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Oct 25, 2012 Rickky Mcghee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Seal Team Six is about a boy named Howard Wasdin who was raised in a very bad home. Everyday when his step father got home he would beat him, it even got to the point that Howard couldn't sit down, but after the beating stopped, Howard says that he can now tolerated pain like that without feeling a thing. Which later on would help him survive Hell Week. Which is the worst week in every single seals lifetime? If you don't know what Hell Week is, it is when the navy seal's do the hardest and tough...more

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Oct 23, 2012 Ricky rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Seal Team Six is about a boy named Howard Wasdin who was raised in a very bad home. Everyday when his step father got home he would beat him,it even got to the point that Howard couldn't sit down,but after the beating stopped, Howard says that he can now tolerated pain like that without feeling a thing.Which later on would help him survive Hell Week.Which is the worst week in every single seals lifetime.If you don't know what Hell Week is, it is when the navy seal's do the hardest and toughest t...more

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Sep 15, 2012 Joan Reeves rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: joan-s-keeper-shelf, nonfiction, history

War Is Hell

Note: I "read" this book by listening to the audio book edition, purchased from Audible.com.

Blurbing The Book

SEAL Team Six is a secret unit tasked with counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and counterinsurgency. This book is the story of Howard Wasdin who survived what would have killed most men. His story takes you deep into the world of Navy SEALS and Special Forces snipers. From a childhood of deprivation and abuse to the grueling selection process of BUDS (Basic Underwater Demolitio...more

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Aug 30, 2012 Corey rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Howard Wasdin takes you behind the scenes in this memoir, showing you not just the physical steps needed to join the U.S. Navy's elite tier one counter-terrorism unit, but also the mentality required to succeed. He talks frankly about his rough childhood and how it helped him survive Hell Week, a notorious event every Seal must endure. He also talks about family life and how his marriage and children were affected by his long absences fighting in wars and training during peacetime. What is most...more

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Aug 15, 2012 Rhianna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Despite not being that far along in another few books, while standing in the overpriced book store in Palm Beach International earlier this morning I overheard a few men talking about how all the top ten books were garbage, and this one fit the bill. In order not to look like a creeper, I only caught a few bits and pieces of their conversation: lies, bad mouthing his family, fabrications, and a main character no one liked. Sweet. So without learning about these rumors and such, I picked up said...more

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Jun 26, 2012 Joe rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wasn't Sure I was going to enjoy reading the Memoirs of a Sniper. But I picked this book up cause I was in a pinch and needed something to read and it was the only Autobiographical/ Memoirs at Walmart at the time. I flipped to a page and read one line. It looked good so I flipped to another and read one line, turning into two paragraphs. Tried it once more, and figured it was worth a shot. Im sure glad I did, best 15.99 I've spent in along time. This book was the biggest page turner I've read in...more

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Jun 21, 2012 Deanna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, history

I read other reviews putting down Wasdin and the Seals. I disagree. I am a Liberal and a Democrate, but I did not have the problems many reviewers seem to have hadwith this bio. Maybe because I am of the Vietnam Era. I knew members of Seals who served there. I know what they went through on their return. I knew men who were military snipers. A hard job that does protect those who protect civilians. I spent my professional life in the criminal justice system. Not easy but not as hard as the caree...more I read other reviews putting down Wasdin and the Seals. I disagree. I am a Liberal and a Democrate, but I did not have the problems many reviewers seem to have hadwith this bio. Maybe because I am of the Vietnam Era. I knew members of Seals who served there. I know what they went through on their return. I knew men who were military snipers. A hard job that does protect those who protect civilians. I spent my professional life in the criminal justice system. Not easy but not as hard as the career these men choose.

If you read the details of the kangeroo killings you would see that it was a santioned hunt for animals that were harming the farming industry. Similar to our hunts to bring the deer population under control. The goats helped save lives. Put things in prospective. Rats? Do you wish to sleep and eat with rats? If a rat is in your house would you hesitate to call an exterminator? Don't kid yourself. Do not judge from your safe home.

Wasdin's early life was more than harsh. He was lucky to make it to adulthood alive. Of course it affected his life. In adulthood he came to terms with the brutal life he experienced. A small child with no one willing to stand up for him. He spent his life standing up for others. His Team became his family. To be a Seal or Delta one must have a strong ego and drive. He gives the reader information about training, missions and the necessity of teamwork.

Wasdin freely admits to being a egotistical jerk. He laughs at some of his superhero thinking. That show his growth. If he still felt that way, he would not have the insight to write about it. He would have spent more time on describing his medals instead of the medals of others. He would not have made his late in life career decision.

I am glad I read this book. I am glad there are people who are willing to dedicate their lives to serving and being the best at what they do. I do not have to approve of the conflict to admire and support the men and women who serve in that conflict. We should have learned this lesson with Vietnam.

Is this a perfect book? No. Does Wasdin get on his soapbox at time? Yes but he bled for that right. Is it a book worth reading? Yes. It does make one think. Wasdin gives us what he promises: a book about his life before, during and after Seal Team Six. It is why we read this book. Be thankful someone is willing to be out there so we can read and write our reviews in freedom. (less)

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Apr 25, 2012 Bill rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Seal Team Six is memoir of Howard Wasdin, a SEAL sniper on one of the most elite US Special Forces groups. It tells his rise from poor, abused childhood to joining the military and then his experiences in the military.

First the positive. Reading through a little arrogance, it seems you get a decent enough idea of what life is like for a SF member as they train and are deployed.

The problem is that you want to emphasize with a memoir writer. You want to see what they have learned, how they have gr...more

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Mar 25, 2012 Zachary Marciano rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: advisory-book-shelf-2011-2012

As an inexperienced memoir reader I really didn't know what to expect from this book in terms of literary devices and knowledge being deployed. However from the first couple of pages into the book I was hooked, I am a pretty big fan of military history and this book not only fits the genre, it gives extraneous details and insight from someone who has seen war first hand. One of the things I really like is that the story is told so well, that it doesn't even feel liked I was reading a memoir, it...more

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Jan 21, 2012 J.J. Johnson rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I can't say I LIKED the book, as I have serious moral reservations about the military in general, and snipers in particular. That said, I do think it's important to listen to different points of view and experiences. I respect the sacrifices Wasdin made, and his bad-ass hard work. And I appreciate that the book felt like a fairly honest accounting of his career.

I don't have any expertise on most of what he talks about, so I'll take his word for it in terms of what parachutes, knives, MREs, and s...more

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Jan 16, 2012 Joanne rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: didn-t-finish, non-fiction

I got about halfway through this book, and I suppose I was spoiled by the action adventure that was Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10. Like that book, this is a book about an elite Navy SEAL, from his training to his missions, though Wasdin, as a member of Team Six, is even more elite. I have the greatest respect for his training, and for his courage, and I am really really really glad that I will never have to endure anything like wha...more

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Sep 23, 2011 Leon Keylin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The more you sweat in peace time, the less you bleed in war. That’s the motto of our military and it’s what being an elite sniper, making all the way to the most elite of all sections of SEAL units, the Team Six. That’s really what the Autobiography is about and it was one of the better ones out there, and certainly better one I’ve read in year.

Why? It’s not boring, probably because Wasdin’s life never was, even from the beginning and his severely abusive step-father, we learn what made the man,...more The more you sweat in peace time, the less you bleed in war. That’s the motto of our military and it’s what being an elite sniper, making all the way to the most elite of all sections of SEAL units, the Team Six. That’s really what the Autobiography is about and it was one of the better ones out there, and certainly better one I’ve read in year.

Why? It’s not boring, probably because Wasdin’s life never was, even from the beginning and his severely abusive step-father, we learn what made the man, and how some of the biological DNA makeup made him what he is today.

The book goes in a chronological order, from Wasdin’s childhood to his teens, to his getting in to the Navy. It culminates with his last mission in Somalia in 1993. The gem here is that you get a front row seat a month before “Black Hawk Down” mission and he highlights much of the mission from being on the ground.

The other plus is that you pick up some good information on equipment and clothing. I mean, if it’s good enough for the most elite of military units, it must be kick ass. So here’s a fast list:

North Face blue polypropylene (polypro) undershorts, also used in winter warfare, to wick moisture away from the body. We put on woodland cammies, camouflage tops and bottoms. I wore wool socks.
GSG9 Addidas books for comfort
SIG SAUER P-226 Navy 9 mm. We tend to agree as he calls it the best pistol in the world.
Swiss Army Knife, not the little one but the real deal.

The book is a fast read, once you hit the middle it becomes incredibly fast and it has a pretty decent moral towards the end. I was actually surprised (don’t want to ruin it for you) by the choice he made at the end of the book but that just proves that we are all human, no matter the training, reflexes, etc…

One last thing: This book is not kind towards:

the media and how the motto the story is greater than soldier’s lives
The United Nations and its corruption lead to deaths
Italians in Somalia. Same with Russians.
President Bill Clinton and his decisions in regards to not just pulling out but not attending memorials
Al Qaeda’s role, as well as Palestinian’s PLO
Army’s bureaucracy.

Read the book, you won’t be sorry.(less)

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Sep 12, 2011 Hannah Kirchner rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If you've read a lot of books on SEALs, you'll start to connect various operators and missions that crop up again and again, which is interesting to note. The books aren't incredibly indepth because they can't be. And because SEALs (probably by training) aren't the most introspective types, you don't hear a lot of internal analysis about their lives, feelings, or families. That kind of thought process would paralyze men used to life-in-the-moment action. If you've read lots of SEALs books, the l...more

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Jul 23, 2011 Jacqui rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: military, biography, history

With the recent popularity of SEAL Team Six, I was a bit concerned that Howard Wasdin and Stephen Templin's SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper (St. Martin's Press 2011) would be a hastily constructed manuscript to play off the public's current appetite for this Special Forces Group. I am pleased to say this book is nothing like that. It is the autobiography of a boy who grew up dirt poor, worked so hard during his childhood that BUD/S seemed no more mentally-challenging than wha...more

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Jul 05, 2011 Diane rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

SEAL Team Six made headlines recently when they killed the world's most wanted man, Osama bin Laden, in Pakistan. Everyone wanted to know more about this elite team of the miltary's best men, and luckily former team member Howard E. Wasdin, along with Stephen Templin, had written SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper.

The book succeeds because it shares Wasdin's personal story, from his difficult childhood with a stepfather who beat him frequently to his success as a sniper, moving...more SEAL Team Six made headlines recently when they killed the world's most wanted man, Osama bin Laden, in Pakistan. Everyone wanted to know more about this elite team of the miltary's best men, and luckily former team member Howard E. Wasdin, along with Stephen Templin, had written SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper.

The book succeeds because it shares Wasdin's personal story, from his difficult childhood with a stepfather who beat him frequently to his success as a sniper, moving quickly up the ranks in the Navy SEALs. Wasdin tells the story of his stepfather forcing him to pick up all the pecans that fell to the ground from a tree in their yard. If his stepfather came home and found just one pecan on the ground, Wasdin would be beaten. (Never mind that the pecan could have fallen just before he came home.)

From this, Wasdin learned to be thorough and that no excuses would be sufficient. He believes that this upbringing helped prepare him for the rigors and challenges of Navy and SEAL training. This insight brought to mind Jeannette Walls' memoir, The Glass Castle. She had a difficult upbringing with parents who did not know how to raise children, yet she survived and became successful in spite of the way she was raised. The resilience of the human spirit always amazes me.

Wasdin brings the reader right into the middle of his training, which is fascinating. The trials that these men undergo is unbelievable, and many do not make it through. His story of medical training on goats under simulated battle conditions was incredible.

During his time with the SEALS, Wasdin served in Iraq during Desert Storm. When 14 starving Iraqi soldiers surrendered to him and his partner, he had a revelation.
"They were human beings, just like me. I discovered my humanity and the humanity in others. It was a turing point for me- it was when I matured."
Wasdin also served in Somalia, and was involved in the Battle of Mogadishu, which was made into the book and movie, Black Hawk Down. His description of his role in the pursuit of warlord Aidid and that battle are tense and made me hold my breath as I read it. Wasdin was seriously injured in that battle.

His most successful operation in Somalia involved saving a young boy. Next door to the house they were using as a secret base was a young boy who had stepped on a land mine and had a bad case of gangrene. The smell was awful and after being refused permission to help the boy and endangering their operation, Wasdin and his partner broke into the house next door, tied up the family, cleaned the boy's wound and gave him IV antibiotics.

They returned two more times to help the boy and save his life. The once frightened, now thankful, family offered them tea on their last visit. He could not let that boy suffer needlessly.

Seen from his perspective, Wasdin was very angry at the politics that he felt exacerbated the Somalia situation. He has some very harsh words for upper command and the Clinton administration. He believes that Aidid could have been captured, they had him sighted, but the plug was pulled.

Wasdin's words on Somalia echo our current situation in Afghanistan.
"We shouldn't have become involved in Somalia's civil war- this was their problem, not ours- but once we committed, we should've finished what we started ; a lesson we are required to keep relearning over and over again."
SEAL Team Six will appeal to many readers; those who like military books will appreciate the in-depth look at SEAL training, and those who like a more personal story will enjoy reading Wasdin's journey from small town Southern boy to Navy SEAL to badly injured soldier to the man he is today.
(less)

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Jun 24, 2011 Jorge rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: politics-economics

SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy Seal Sniper by Howard E. Wasdin & Stephen Templin

"SEAL Team Six" is the fascinating memoir of American hero and elite SEALTeam Six member Howard Wasdin. It's an inside look at the journey of becoming a Navy SEAL and the dangerous missions he was involved in. This absorbing 352-page book is composed of the following seventeen chapters: 1. Reach Out and Touch Someone, 2. One Shot, One Sill?, 3. Hell is for Children, 4. Russian Sub and Green Hero, 5. The...more

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Jun 12, 2011 Pamela rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction

Told in straightforward unadorned prose, this is one man's search for himself that takes him from an abusive childhood into war and home again. Through Wasdin's experience we travel with him from a rural upbringing and into the U.S. Navy, where Wasdin's experience as a battered child gives him something of an edge —an advantage that becomes clear when he decides to enter the SEALs. Eventually a sniper in the elite SEAL Team Six unit, Wasdin served in Mogadishu during the battle made famous in th...more Told in straightforward unadorned prose, this is one man's search for himself that takes him from an abusive childhood into war and home again. Through Wasdin's experience we travel with him from a rural upbringing and into the U.S. Navy, where Wasdin's experience as a battered child gives him something of an edge — an advantage that becomes clear when he decides to enter the SEALs. Eventually a sniper in the elite SEAL Team Six unit, Wasdin served in Mogadishu during the battle made famous in the film Black Hawk Down. Badly injured, he returns home, where he has to put the pieces of his life together without the structure of the military — the marriage he neglected, the daughter who eventually stays with her mother, the son who clings to him, the injuries that cause him pain and the search for a role outside the SEALs.

I disagree with reviewers who say that Wasdin's ego makes this book difficult to enjoy. Yes, he's proud of the SEALs and often views them as superior to other special ops and special warfare units, but, hey, it's not uncommon for someone to cheer for their own team. I can only say that Wasdin's story touched me deeply as a very human story. I never saw him as a mindlessly arrogant SOB. I felt he was subtly critiquing himself for some of those attitudes through the plain, sometimes self-deprecating tone of his writing.

The insight into elite sniper training was fascinating, as were all other aspects of Wasdin's military experience. As a woman who would never be able to serve in one of these units and has not been in the military, it's as close as I'll probably ever get to understanding what it's like.

I cringed to read about the inept actions of the U.S. government during this time, as well as bungling among military brass. With human lives on the line, one hopes these organizations have resolved some of the issues that led to the deaths of U.S. servicemen in Mogadishu, such as men in the helos not being able to communicate directly with men on the ground.

I was absorbed by the story from cover to cover and found myself tearing up at the end when Wasdin finds peace helping to heal the injured as a chiropractor.

I should add that Wasdin uses what is considered to be "foul language." This doesn't bother me at all (I've never understood why people get upset over words). Words don't scare me. There is also some graphic retelling of battles that could be upsetting to some. I suspect those people won't pick it up anyway. It isn't a book about bunny rabbits and flowers, after all.

I'd recommend this book to fans of SEAL fiction, as well as anyone looking for a deeper understanding of the SEALs. (less)

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