Spec ops bill mcraven, commander of a team of seals, the navys elite special operations force, is an expert on the subject of special operations. Mcraven s thesis was titled the theory of special operations republished in 1995 as spec ops. In this wellorganized and deeply researched study, mcraven analyzes eight special operations. I just finished reading william mcravens spec ops, case studies in special operations warfare. From 2015 to 2018, he was the chancellor of the university of texas system mcraven previously served from june, 2008, to august 2011 as commander of joint special. All usage of the term special operations henceforth will adhere to this refined definition. My life in special operations says all quiet on the western front is the one book that best captures the nature of. In this wellorganized and deeply researched study, mcraven pinpoints six essential principles of spec ops success. In the book s first half, mcraven describes his early life. New york reuters retired navy admiral and former u. Retired admiral mcraven has no regrets over criticizing trump.
My life in special operations grand central, admiral mcraven writes of the inspiration he found in his parents generation the survivors of world war i and. The 125page book, which goes on sale tuesday, spawns from a commencement speech mcraven gave at utaustin three years ago that struck a chord with students and. The book uses six world war ii case studies and two events in the 70s, written with clarity, detail and suspense, tom clancylike, to illustrate how and why the theory of special ops works. Special operations command ussocom has released his reading list for next year. Ut chief, bin laden raid architect recounts seal training in book. Mcraven oversaw the 2011 navy seal raid in pakistan that killed alqaeda leader osama bin laden. Bill mcraven, commander of a team of seals, the navys elite special operations force, is an expert on the subject of special operations. Quite often, books about special forces are heavily based on anecdote and action. Mcraven helped to devise the strategy for how to bring down.
My life in special operations nprs steve inskeep talks to retired adm. Mcraven 1996, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. In the books first half, mcraven describes his early life. In his previous role, mcraven executed the raid in may as head of the militarys elite joint special operations command. His own book is an instructive textbook that will be closely studied by students of the. Mcraven also literally wrote the book on special ops, a 1995 history of surgical strike teams from the nazi rescue of mussolini in 1943 to the 1976 israeli raid on entebbe.
Case studies in special operations warfare, theory and practice presidio press, 1995. Throughout the sections on his career, mcraven provides. Over the past decade, navy seals have delivered several films and books into our culture. In sea stories, missions and mythmaking from a former.
I just finished reading william mcraven s spec ops, case studies in special operations warfare. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read sea stories. Mcraven helped to devise the strategy for how to brin. Mcraven, the special operations commander who led last years navy seal raid against osama bin laden, confirmed that special operations forces. Its intent, he says, is to motivate members of the sof special operations forces community to. It appears book was scanned into pdf and then no one checked spelling or. Little things that can change your life and maybe the world. Its contents, are 8 individual, differentiated and unique spec ops, which serve in their function to develop mcraven s thesis. The book is a collection of case studies of special operations conducted by various internation militaries from the german attack on ebem emael in 1940 to the israeli raid on entebbe in 1976. Spec opscase studies in special operations warfare. Mcraven helped to devise the strategy for how to bring down osama bin laden, and commanded the courageous u. In 1995, william mcraven published spec ops, a collection of commando case studies he used to formulate what he called a theory of special operations.
William mcraven s book spec ops stands alone in the realm of military books as the only basic textbook for special forces operations. Nov 21, 20 americas top operator, admiral william h. This book serves to illuminate the mechanics and theory of special operations spec ops. Theory and practice is not only an enjoyable read but also a valuable training tool. Special operations forces, under the command of adm. Navy seal since 1978 and currently the commanding officer of seal team three. Spec ops case studies in special operations warfare. My life in special operations ebook written by admiral william h. Mcraven from books im reading now to books ive read john twomey moved spec ops.
Theory and practice 9780891416005 by mcraven, william h. What the media didnt tell you about the retired navy admiral. The most important contribution to date has come not from academia, but from an so practitioner us admiral william mcraven in his 1995 book spec ops case studies in special operations. Special ops commander says book on seal raid that killed bin laden is a lie. Surely, i would not give a perfect score to this book, because as i said earlier, twenty percent of it was nullified by its wording and comprehensive potential. Its intent, he says, is to motivate members of the sof special operations forces community to grow professionally and personally. Mcraven earned his masters degree at the naval postgraduate school in monterey, california, in 1993. Dec 06, 2019 mcraven, most known for his key role in the planning and execution of the raid that resulted in the death of osama bin laden, has long been a towering figure in the special operations community. Mcraven is a seal, and spec ops to him means direct action. The title is academic sounding but the content, despite being deep, is still accessible to the nonwest point or buds graduate.
In spec ops, a wellorganized and deeply researched study, mcraven analyzes eight classic special operations. Mcraven tells of his early life, but most of the book is about this naval career. Principles and considerations page 8 gestation period. His special operations career takes up the majority of the book. Theory and practice, published in several languages, is considered a fundamental text on special operations strategy. Whether you play operation flashpoint or a similar special operations simulation, spec ops.
Navy retired join the forum club of the palm beaches for a luncheon event and book signing on friday, may 31st, at the kravis center. Mcraven is back with amazing stories of bravery and heroism during his career as a navy seal and commander of americas special operations forces. In the books first half, mcraven describes his early life and his seal. Although i believe the theory of special operations, as presented in this book, is applicable across the spectrum of special operations, as defined by joint pub 305, it was developed solely from the eight case studies presented in this work. Mcraven debates the success of the mission, even doubting if it was worth the risk, but the main objective was successful. Mcravens new book features anecdotes from his life and military career. He has received the republic of frances legion dhonneur, the. Mcraven, special ops chief, tells troops to pipe down. Additionally, he has delineated the key passages in each chapter of each book in a video reading, complete with his personal commentary from his fathers personal interface with the operations.
Apr 02, 2017 william mcraven is best known for organizing and overseeing the special ops raid in 2011 that led to the death of osama bin laden. Retired admiral mcraven has no regrets over criticizing. They still explain and illuminate the tasks and missions of special forces, if the reader pays attention to the details and connects all the dots. Compare book prices on to buy books from the lowest price among top online book retailers. Navy retired served with great distinction in the navy. Spec ops are a very interesting thesis, and mcraven functions to provide a strong theory in practice and purpose. Nye said mcraven was concerned the book would lead americans to doubt the. Special ops commander says book on seal raid that killed bin.
You tell story after story after story in this book. The author of make your bed and, most recently, sea stories. Case studies in special operations warfare theory and. This is the memoir of retired full admiral william h. The shocking true story of extortion 17 as told by a navy seals father, billy recalls his meeting with the admiral, writing about heated exchanges with him over details of the shoot down. As most people in the military today, he grew up in a military family. Bill mcraven warned his troops, current and former, that he would take legal action against anyone found to have exposed sensitive information that.
Case studies in special operations warfare, theory and practice, a sort of textbookhistory of hostage rescues, pow camp raids, battleship assaults and. Navy admiral, follows his selfhelp guide, make your bed, in which he shared principles for success learned during his more than 30 years as a navy seal, with this collection of fascinating stories from his time as commander of the special operations forces. In spec ops, a wellorganized and deeply researched study, mcra. In spec ops, mcraven outlines the principles of successful special operations simplicity, security, repetition, surprise, speed and purpose. Case studies in special operations warfare theory and practice new. He writes an indepth study of actual assaults carried out over the last sixty years in several different countries. William mcraven, who may be bestknown as the navy seal commander who oversaw the.
I thought mcraven,now an admiral seal and in charge of us socom he was. May 31, 2019 decorated military leader, admiral william h. In a wideranging interview with usa today, mcraven discussed. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Spec ops navy general library program downloadable books. His own book is an instructive textbook that will be closely studied by students of the military arts. Mcraven became a seal and went up the ranks until he was the commander of u. Case studies in special operations warfare, theory and practice, a sort of textbookhistory of hostage rescues, pow. William harry mcraven born november 6, 1955 is a retired united states navy fourstar admiral who last served as the ninth commander of the united states special operations command from august 8, 2011, to august 28, 2014. Mcraven is a part of american military history, having been involved in some of the most famous. May 05, 2011 that would be his 1995 book, spec ops. My life in special operations, the retired fourstar admiral who served as the commander of all u. Mcraven is a part of american military history, having been involved in some of the. Fifteen years before that operation mcraven wrote spec ops.
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