<p>Something about the publication of this seems amiss to me, but I am not sure exactly what (even assuming that no classified information was disclosed). Should former SEALS be writing about their operations? What do you think?</p>
<p>My S is Navy Spec. Ops. officer. My answer is" No". They should definitely not write about their missions. Their "tell all " books could endanger those who are still out there doing the job. There are some things that S says he can’t even tell us,much less publish it for the whole world to see.</p>
<p>No I don’t think they should be allowed to or even want to consider it.</p>
<p>It’s okay to write about their experiences (training, operations, etc.) ONLY if they receive prior official approval such that it doesn’t disclose anything secret. This isn’t limited to Navy Seals but includes all members of the military as well as government agencies. It’s critical that they comply with the law on this or else our nation’s security could be compromised and people’s lives can be put in jeopardy. </p>
<p>If this author didn’t comply with the law, as the pentagon is stating, then he should be prosecuted. I don’t know what his motivation was other than greed at the expense of the law to grab the book deal and therefore $$$ - i.e. being bought out. This isn’t much different than being offered money to provide secret info, i.e. commit treason.</p>
<p>(Emphasis on the ‘if’ since I only know what I read in the news on this)</p>
<p>Since 9/11 we have been told that we must relinquish a never ending list of liberties in order for the government to provide for our security. Poppycock!!!</p>
<p>How many authoritarian governments started this way? Many!</p>
<p>Freedom of speech and freedom of the press is crucial to maintaining our liberty which historically has always been threatened most by a presiding government. And always in the name of “security”.</p>
<p>Once you’re out, talk away! The truth shines light on the real threat.</p>
<p>Former CIA/FBI/and I assume SEALS are covered by the First Amendment. They can write memoirs. BUT they may not reveal classified information. Of any kind. This has been tested over and over again in court. If the author didn’t comply with that legal precedent, he could indeed be found liable.</p>
<p>There is a grey area where issues of national security come into play. It’s a difficult test, however, and one that tends to protect our civil rights as much as possible. We’ve been down this road before (Pentagon Papers, among others). The delicate balance between freedom of speech and protecting other interests like national security is often difficult to maintain.</p>
<p>Normally, I would agree with toblin that freedom of speech and freedom of press should not be compromised. However, facts that are released without clearance could jeopardize the lives of current operatives through identification or maneuvers of future missions. It is a balancing act of freedom and security. I don’t believe in this case the reaction of the Navy is based on paranoia.</p>
<p>Toblin,</p>
<p>You have it wrong. All of these people AGREED up front that they wouldn’t reveal classified information. They had the ‘freedom’ of not agreeing to that but they’re the ones who chose to abide by these rules and therefore haven’t given up any freedoms at all.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>actually, you sign NDAs that say you will not share information you aren’t supposed to.</p>
<p>You don’t have to sign the NDAs, but then you aren’t getting access to the information. Countless faceless and unnamed national security employees take books and books worth of secrets to their graves.</p>
<p>When stuff that shouldn’t get leaked gets leaked, it costs lives, bottom line.</p>
<p>Furthermore, these communities strongly value operational security (aka, “loose lips sink ships”). Even unclassified information can cause harm or put someone (or a group of someones) in danger. Your social security number isn’t classified… want to post it here in the thread for everyone to read? How about your bank account information?</p>
<p>If the enemy knows how SOF teams operate, they will become much less effective and take heavier casualties.</p>
<p>In the late 90s, we (the US) were monitoring UBL’s cell phone and tracking its movement. Until someone idiot let it slip when talking to the press, and that was the end of that. Took 12 years to find him again. And how many American lives?</p>
<p>Everything that anyone in these fields writes for publication, including after they are retired, must be approved by their employer (or former employer).</p>
<p>The SEAL creed states, in part,</p>
<p>"By wearing the Trident I accept the responsibility of my chosen profession and way of life…
“I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions.”</p>
<p>'nuff said.</p>
<p>I’m with the No’s on this one. </p>
<p>Not a matter of freedom of speech at all. He gave his word and broke it for profit. More a matter of honor, which he lacks, and respect toward his fellow Seals.</p>
<p>Any money he and the publishing company make should go to organizations that support veterans.</p>
<p>I find it hard to swallow the fact that our nation was barely reacted when an active CIA agent and her cover job, corporation, etc was blown (affecting operatives and sources throughout the Middle Est) but they are up in arms about a retired Navy Seal that has written a book. The Pentagon has allowed movie productions to learn intimate details about the SEALS training and missions and have allowed video games to reproduce both the training and missions. I haven’t yet read the book, but I am hoping that it is more than a blueprint of how to attack a compound. I am hoping that it helps us see the life and struggles of our military personnel. </p>
<p>I can see another motive for writing the book. The author knows that he was part of history, and it is important to share that history. I can still weep for the lives of soldiers long past because they have been memorialized by their letters home. I feel connected to my father when reading memoirs of cramped quarters in tanks from World War II.</p>
<p>^Is that ‘Fair Game’ you’re referring to?</p>
<p>Not the movie, but the actual person, yes. Her cover company (which was shared by other CIA operatives) were exposed and although people in the CIA and retired agents were outraged most people didn’t realize there was potential for a death toll to be followed by that leak. </p>
<p>Ex-SEALS have been consulting on first-person shooters and movies for some time now.</p>
<p>Indeed. Her book was a good read and disturbing in terms of showing the gravity of the betrayal that was committed by the government. I hope the movie at least shed some interest on what really happened during that period.</p>
<p>He was not out there on his own in this mission. He was part of a team. The rest of the team honored the oaths they took when they became Seals. He broke his oath to make money.</p>
<p>
I was certainly outraged when the CIA agent’s cover was blown. I think may people were. I don’t see how that wrong makes what this Seal has done right.</p>
<p>
There is a huge difference between letters home and publishing a book about a mission during a still active conflict. During WWII, servicemen, retired or not, did not rush off and write books without any concern for their fellow servicemen that were still on active duty.</p>
<p>
In WWII the letters home were heavily censored by the military for the precise reason of protecting the troops and operational plans.</p>
<p>Any compromise of security, including CIA personnel and affiliates, needs to be dealt with very seriously. In addition to the officer you referred to a more recent example is the outing of the alleged CIA collaborator, a doctor in Pakistan, who helped in finding Osama. This person is now in a prison in Pakistan. That outing should be chased down and people held responsible and this administration should do everything reasonable in their power to secure his release.</p>
<p>Along with some of these positions goes responsibilities. The people entering these positions know that, whether they’re civilians in certain political positions, the CIA/NSA/etc., working for a defense contractor and carrying a security clearance, or in the military. Navy Seals are all volunteers - they’re not forced to become Seals. They actually have to not just volunteer but have to make the cut which is very rigorous. They also sign documents regarding non-disclosures. </p>
<p>Just as I wouldn’t want some clerk at a bank to publicly post my account info and logon credentials, I wouldn’t want the President to post the nuke codes and details of how to activate them, wouldn’t want people working for defense contractors to copy hardware, software, and operational plans and send them to agents in other countries, and I don’t want members of the military to disclose data that hasn’t been officially cleared.</p>
<p>Realistically, a Seal could write a pretty interesting book in this area yet be careful to not disclose anything too sensitive and go through the proper channels and get it approved and still do well with it. I’ve read books by other Seals. I kept a pretty open mind on this particular book that it could have been written responsibly and received approval from the DOD to publish but apparently, this individual decided to forego the ‘approval’ piece which is against the law and common sense and irresponsible to all of us.</p>
<p>I am going to jump on the “NO” bandwagon - others have already stated the reasons why, I just wanted to add a vote.</p>
<p>Oh, and I was thoroughly disgusted when the CIA agent was outed, that does not make this right. I do not think the SEAL in question could have possibly not known that he was required to have this book vetted by the government, and since former SEALs have published several books recently regarding the current wars and their participation, I cannot think his motive was merely profit. Given his anonymity I cannot think it was fame, either - I cannot actually think of any reason that is not political. Can anyone else?</p>
<p>^^ It’s hard to say what his motivations were. He’s bound to make a lot of money off of the book and money tends to be a great motivator. Most Seals aren’t wealthy when they retire as he did. He may have had other motivations as well. </p>
<p>His anonymity didn’t even last until the book was available and I doubt he expected to really have any kind of anonymity regardless of using a pen name. Certainly his Seal associates would know who it was and the investigation that was bound to take place would have rooted out who the author was in short order.</p>
<p>
Considering the initial promise that the majority of the proceeds would go to a military charity it seems unlikely that he would have expected to get rich off of this. Especially considering that former special-ops guys (especially SEALs) can make hundreds of thousands a year in a variety of positions. I just cannot see money could be enough of a motivator for this, and if it was why he would take the unusual step of forfeiting so much of it to charity.</p>
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His former associates and the government would not have revealed his identity unless absolutely necessary - i.e., as charges were filed. I have not seen any cases where a SEAL has been outed by the Navy or by other SEALs.</p>