Synopses & Reviews
Established in 1986, the U.S. Special Operations Command was set up to bring the special operational disciplines of all branches of the military under a single, unified commandand#151;to act on missions involving unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, foreign internal defense, and direct action... The Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is the newest component of the militaryand#8217;s shift toward a fully integrated Special Operations Command structure. At first, the Marines were strongly against any marines serving under anyone other than another marine. Then 9/11 happened.
Always Faithful, Always Forward follows the journey of a single class of Marine candidates from their recruitment, assessment, selection, and finally the lengthy training regime that qualifies them as Marines Special Operators. MARSOC Marines must be efficient, agile, independent, and prepared to live hard in the field. They are warriors trained in the full range of military skills, as well as teachers who can train locals to defend their communities and lead them in battle. But above all, they are marines.
Retired Navy captain Dick Couch has been given unprecedented access to this new command and to the individual marines of this new and unique special-operations unit. Always Faithful, Always Forward chronicles the history, development, and current training cycle of the warriors of the Marine Special Operations Command.
Review
and#8220;A detailed and vivid look at how the Army Rangers train for war.and#8221;and#8212;Larry Bond, author of
Exit Plan
"[Couch's] chronicle of the rigorous training that develops a young soldier into a young apprentice Ranger is detailed, accurate, and captivating."and#8212;General W. F. "Buck" Kernan, U.S. Army (Ret.)
"A great read that describes how the reputation of Rangers, now burnished with the exploits of the current generation in Afghanistan and Iraq, reflects the leaders that select and mold them."and#8212;General Stanley McChrystal, U.S. Army (Ret.)
"A wonderfully graphic account of the gut-busting ordeal of becoming a U.S. Army Ranger in the 75th Ranger Regiment...Earning the tan beret is, quite simply, a test of manhoodand#8212;only those with ample stocks of strength, stamina, commitment, and valor need apply."and#8212;Linda Robinson, author of Masters of Chaos
"Granted unprecedented access, Couch follows a Ranger class through to its departure for the battlefield...An admiring, inspiring account of how the Army shapes and sharpens the tip of its spear."and#8212;Kirkus Reviews
Review
and#8220;An excellent...resource for those looking for insight into modern special operations warfare and training.and#8221;and#8212;
Publishers Weekly and#8220;A gripping insiderand#8217;s account of Marine Special Operations Command.and#8221;and#8212;Nathaniel Fick, author of One Bullet Away
and#8220;I canand#8217;t imagine anyone doing a better job of telling the Marine Special Operations story.and#8221;and#8212;Larry Bond, author of Exit Plan
and#8220;By the end of the book, youand#8217;ll be grateful that these proud fighting Marines are on our sideand#8212;and youand#8217;ll be thankful to Dick Couch, who takes you inside their world.and#8221;and#8212;Eric Greitens, Navy SEAL, New York Times bestselling author of The Heart and the Fist
Synopsis
"A book about the complexities of combat that's just as applicable for dealing with the complexities of business and our personal lives." (Kevin Sharer, Chairman and CEO, Amgen) As a commander of Delta Force-the most elite counter-terrorist organization in the world-Pete Blaber took part in some of the most dangerous, controversial, and significant military and political events of our time. Now he takes his intimate knowledge of warfare-and the heart, mind, and spirit it takes to win-and moves his focus from the combat zone to civilian life.
As the smoke clears from exciting stories about neverbefore-revealed top-secret missions that were executed all over the globe, readers will emerge wiser, more capable, and more ready for life's personal victories than they ever thought possible.
Synopsis
A former commander of Delta Force, the most elite counter-terrorist organization in the world, takes his intimate knowledge of warfare--and the heart, mind, and spirit it takes to win--and moves his focus from the combat zone to civilian life.
Synopsis
Sua Sponte Latin for and#147;Of Their Own Accordand#8221;
The 75th Ranger Regimentand#8217;s Motto
and#160;
Army Rangers are not born. They are made. The modern 75th Ranger Regiment represents the culmination of 250 years of American soldiering. As a fighting force withand#160;our nationand#8217;sand#160;oldest and deepest tradition, the Regiment traces its origins to Richard Rogersand#8217;s Rangers during the prerevolutionary French and Indian War, through the likes of Francis Marion and John Mosby, to the five active Ranger battalions of the Second World War, and finally, to the four battalions of the current Ranger regiment engaged in modern combat.
and#160;
Granted unprecedented access to the training of this highly restricted component of Americaand#8217;s Special Operations Forces in a time of war, retired Navy captain Dick Couch tells the personal story of the young men who begin this difficult and dangerous journey to become Rangers. Many will try, but only a select few will survive to serve in the 75th Ranger Regiment. Sua Sponte follows a group of these aspiring young warriors through the crucible that is Ranger training and their preparation for direct-action missions in Afghanistan against Americaand#8217;s enemies, anywhere, any time, and under any conditions.
INCLUDES PHOTOGRAPHS
About the Author
A 1967 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Dick Couch served with the Navy Underwater Demolition and SEAL Teams. He led one of the only successful POW rescue operations of the Vietnam War while a platoon leader with SEAL Team One in 1970. On release from active duty in 1972, he joined the Central Intelligence Agency, where he served as a Maritime Operations Officer. He is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous books and articles on military special operations, including Sua Sponte: The Forging of a Modern American Ranger. He also serves as a consultant and keynote speaker on issues of tactical ethics, moral battlefield conduct, and the future employment of American Special Operations Forces. Dick and his wife, Julia, live in Idaho.