The Red Circle is the true story of Brandon’s experiences leading up to the US Navy SEAL Teams and leading the SEAL Sniper Course as the head instructor (Course Manager). Starting with his colorful childhood growing up in a seafaring family, Brandon’s story continues through his grueling training at BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) and in Naval Special Operations. His combat tours in the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan and his distinguished career designing new post-9/11 sniper training courses, and his employment with the operational branch of a three-letter US intelligence agency, concluding with his transition to the life of a private entrepreneur. In the process, the book provides a rare and personal look at the inner workings of the US military through the eyes of a US Navy SEAL and covert operations specialist.
At the age of 16, Brandon Webb had a fight with his dad that got him thrown out of the house—only in his case, “the house” happened to be a small boat anchored off Tahiti. As a teenager who lacked even a driver’s license, negotiating the 6,000 miles back to California was the beginning of a journey that would ultimately lead to a distinguished career on the harrowing frontiers of post-modern warfare.
Surrounded by friends whose lives drifted between surfing and crystal meth, Brandon elected to join the Navy, where he trained as an Aircrew Rescue Swimmer, helicopter crewman and eventually as a US Navy SEAL. Following the events of 9/11, he went on to manage the SEAL sniper course, designing new curricula and training a generation of SEAL graduates who became some of the most accomplished snipers of the 21st century. These include Marcus Luttrell, New York Times best-selling author of Lone Survivor. In Lone Survivor, Luttrell credits Webb’s training with his own survival during his ill-fated 2005 mission in Afghanistan as part of Operation Red Wing, which resulted in the single greatest death toll within the SEAL ranks.
Intimate and intelligent, candid and at times shocking, Navy SEAL Sniper opens a unique window onto issues of peace and war, life and death, order and chaos in the 21st century. It also provides a uniquely personal glimpse into one of the most difficult and secretive military training courses in the world and the traits necessary to produce a successful graduate: a sniper capable of stopping another man’s beating heart without hesitation at distances of over a mile.
“The Red Circle” is set to release Spring of 2012 with St. Martin’s Press.
Praise for “The Red Circle”
“There are a lot of people out there who are alive today because of the efforts, skill, and dedication of Brandon and others like him. His training saved my life. What you’re about to read is not just the making of a Navy SEAL sniper, but the story of one guy who went on to help shape the lives of hundreds of elite special forces warriors.”
— Marcus Luttrell, author of the New York Times
bestseller Lone Survivor, from the Foreword
“The story of today’s Navy SEALs is Brandon Webb’s to tell, and The Red Circle does it masterfully. This definitive work at once proves and explodes the myths behind Navy Special Warfare and the men who meet its challenges. Strap in for wild ride.”
— CDR Ward Carroll, USN (ret.), editor of Military.com
“Another forceful statement from the Brotherhood of SEALs, Brandon Webb’s The Red Circle illustrates why he wanted to be a SEAL, what it takes to be a SEAL, how you survive the life of a SEAL, and the value of mind over matter. A valuable read for anyone aspiring to reach goals that seem unattainable—in any walk of life.”
— CDR Richard Marcinko, USN (Ret.), founding father and first commanding officer of SEAL Team Six, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Rogue Warrior
“Brandon’s story hits center mass! If you want to know what makes up the DNA of a Navy SEAL and have a behind-the-scenes look at the best sniper program in the world, then hold 1 right for wind and read The Red Circle.”
— Chris Kyle, SEAL Team 3 Chief and bestselling author of American Sniper
“The Red Circle beautifully captures the author’s introspection, humor, and lion-hearted daring. A riveting true-life adventure story, told with frankness and skill.”
— Pat Kilbane, actor (MADtv, Seinfeld, Semi-Pro)
and author of The Brain-Eater’s Bible
“The Red Circle book personifies all that is great within the Naval Special Warfare community. It’s all true (even the stories about me!), and most importantly it shows the reader that there is no one thing that makes a good operator or reliable frogman in the field. We all come from different backgrounds and leave that past behind to focus on mission success and the wellbeing of one another in combat. On more than one occasion, I trusted my life to Brandon and always felt better knowing he had my back. Some of the stories he tells here are hilarious, and all are told from the heart—and in true team guy fashion, with no mercy! These are the stories from behind the SEAL platoon walls that the books always leave out—until now.”
— Chris Osman, former SEAL, coauthor of SEALs: The US Navy’s Elite Fighting Force
Also by Brandon Webb
The twenty-first-century sniper is a mature, intelligent shooter who leverages technology to his deadly advantage. He has spent thousands of hours honing his skills. He is a master of concealment in all environments, from the mountains of Afghanistan to the crowded streets of Iraq. He is trained in science and left alone to create the unique art of the kill. To the sniper, the battlefield is like a painter’s blank canvas. It is his job to simultaneously utilize tools, training, and creativity to deliver devastating psychological impact upon the battlefield. And it is he alone who is left with the intimacy of the kill.
My main goal for writing this book was to provide a forward looking “insiders” perspective of the sniper community. Plenty of books have been written on the topic but only a select few have been written by actual snipers. Imagine reading a book on medicine written by someone with no medical experience! That was my main inspiration for writing this book, I wanted to set the record straight. I was also fortunate enough to have a great friend,operator and co-author Glen Doherty to help on the project, without Glen this book would never have been finished. I hope you enjoy and that all your rounds are on target! -Brandon
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