My book choices were given to me by a SEAL Captain, but I found them to be quite inspirational for anyone who intends to serve.
Warrior Elite was mentioned above, but the above comment lacked a description. It was written by Dick Couch, retired SEAL Captain. It follows BUD/S class 228 through training, from indoctrination to graduation. It gives you a real insight into the kinds of people who make it and the kinds of people who are just there to say they were there. I thought it was a great read, it humanizes alot of the people who are made out to be supermen, and emphasizes, "its nnot about getting used to it, its about dealing with it."
Another one, Warrior Soul by Chuck Pfarrer. This is basically the guys memoirs. In some parts he came off a bit whiny, though not anywhere as severe as the author of Jarhead. He doesn't bash the service, but he does excercise the "when you stop having fun, its time to get out" option, and fully explains his reasoing for it. But the majority of the book follows him through his early days at the team (esp. his "welcome" from the enlisted guys as a freshly minted ensign, where they grab him and throw him into a pool in full uniform) to tours in south america, and lebanon. He describes in detail the day of the marine barracks bombing. Its an amazing read, and it really makes you appreciate the risks those guys take. He opens the book with a story that any skydivers on the board will love.
Warrior Elite was mentioned above, but the above comment lacked a description. It was written by Dick Couch, retired SEAL Captain. It follows BUD/S class 228 through training, from indoctrination to graduation. It gives you a real insight into the kinds of people who make it and the kinds of people who are just there to say they were there. I thought it was a great read, it humanizes alot of the people who are made out to be supermen, and emphasizes, "its nnot about getting used to it, its about dealing with it."
Another one, Warrior Soul by Chuck Pfarrer. This is basically the guys memoirs. In some parts he came off a bit whiny, though not anywhere as severe as the author of Jarhead. He doesn't bash the service, but he does excercise the "when you stop having fun, its time to get out" option, and fully explains his reasoing for it. But the majority of the book follows him through his early days at the team (esp. his "welcome" from the enlisted guys as a freshly minted ensign, where they grab him and throw him into a pool in full uniform) to tours in south america, and lebanon. He describes in detail the day of the marine barracks bombing. Its an amazing read, and it really makes you appreciate the risks those guys take. He opens the book with a story that any skydivers on the board will love.