Opening sequence from MURPH: The Protector. Original music by Chris Irwin (Chris Irwin Band) and Jeff Widenhofer (madjac music.) Chris and Jeff were roommates at the US Naval Academy and served their countries proudly; Chris as a SEAL, and Jeff as a helo pilot. Jeff also served as a Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO,) and was tasked with delivering the news about Michael's Missing in Action status during Operation Red Wings. Both Chris and Jeff have moved on to careers as professional musicians, and their score and soundtrack add incredible depth and emotion to the film. Director of Photography: Todd Free. Motion Graphics: Dave Brown

cannot post as an embedded video so check out the link:

http://www.indiegogo.com/murphtheprotector

To Paul, Calvin, Jim and all the dads and families of our proud warriors,  I want to wish each of you a blessed holiday season and a new year filled with joy and peace.

RyeJim, thanks for the comment. I hope your family has a wonderful time together this Holiday Season. To all members hope you have a Very Merry Christmas.

HooYah Navy SEALs

Thanks for the notice for the release of the book, "Damn Few".  If anyone reads it when it comes out, I'd like to hear a review of it.  I'm a mom looking for helpful books to read, but I stay away from the stories that focus on combat missions - not something for a mom to read :)  I prefer to read about the men, their training, and their perspective.  Thanks!

Not to throw cold water on what might be a fine book, but at my son's SQT graduation Capt. Wilson made a point of saying there are entirely too many books being writtten by former Seals.

Having said that, I've found Dick Couch's "Warrior Elite" and "The Finishing School", while a bit dated, to be helpful in helping me understand to some degree my son's experience during BUD/S and SQT. 

Hope this helps.

Thanks RyeJim, I haven't read Dick Couch's books yet, but I keep hearing they are good though dated. 

I do agree there is too much attention on the SEALs lately - books, video games and movies. 

Books written by former SEALs are generally decent and show the TEAMS in a good light. They are great recruiting tools. Most books also contain some disinformation or are vague about certain SEAL related topics. They give wannabes just enough bad or off kilter info to let them make fools of themselves. Dick Couch's books are all excellent. I served with him at SEAL TEAM ONE and he was an outstanding officer. Read every book he has written both fiction and non-fiction. He has written some good ones that are not about SEALs as well. There are a few books written by non SEALs that are ok as well. Watch out for the phonies. "SEAL DOC" and "Swimmers Among The Trees" are two examples of total fabrications.

The most memorable book I read as my son went through the program was Fearless, the story of fallen Team Six operator Adam Brown.  An all too flawed individual whose transformed life epitomizes the best of what the Navy SEALs stand for.  It is more than a story about the SEALs, it is a book about redemption, rising to the challenge, and the role that becoming a Special Operator played in this man's incredible life.

Good luck 298 !

Fearless was a great book. As far as the attention the SEALs are getting, it started during the First Gulf War. My own son was in the piece shown on TV. After that it just got nuts. The cat is out of the bag. One has to wonder how DELTA/CAG has stayed out of the news. Special Forces was all over the news and bookshelves during the beginning of the Afghanistan War.

I know this topic has been bounced around before, but I am "hopeful" that we are looking at a April graduation for Class 2 nine 4.  Are there any recommendations for gifts as they graduate and move on to the Teams?  FYI - We did nake reservations at the Base Navel Hotel recommended in other posts.  I am SO paranoid to breaking Spec Ops, but would love to connect with other parents of class 2 nine 4.

Jim, here are a few suggestions for you: items such as a watch, a compass, a paddle, a bell mounted on a plaque with the clapper removed. Each of these can be inscribed with a personal message.  Also a practical gift like a high end flash light or a SOG combo tool --(the EOD is a great model --my son loves his).  All can be found on line. Hooyah 2 nine 4!

Leatherman also has a cool EOD model: http://www.leatherman.com/product/MUT_EOD

Any  294 Dads out there?? Also, with the politicians push to allow women into more combat roles, any thinking on when some young lady is going to try BUDs??

From what I've read it probably won't be before 2016.  That is the date the Pentagon has set for the individual services to report on accepting women into their special forces.  My guy (292) has said no one he knows is on board with it, citing unit cohesion, intimate killing skills, etc.  but given current winds of change it seems pretty inevitable.  God help that first young lady!!

Perhaps this article by Bing West will help clarify thinking on females in combat units:  http://www.the-american-interest.com/article.cfm?piece=1373

And here's the ultimate question posed in West's article:  "The question is whether increasing the individual rights of the female soldier decreases the combined combat effectiveness of the killing pack."

Tragically, this just drives home the point that our boys are always in harms-way primarily due to their convictions and personal Code of Ethics; even domestically in CONUS.  They are most definately, held to a higher standard.  Our collective heart and prayers to this family.

Presents for Graduation: I gave my son a Leatherman MUT a while ago when he graduated Phase II because I thought he might be able to use it in Phase III.  When he got it he told me that it was a very useful gift and that guys were always asking other guys if they could use their MUT when they needed a tool.  I bought his on Amazon but there are other outlets.  Here is the site describing it.  the video is a good intro: http://www.leatherman.com/product/MUT 

you talk about gifts....here are some high-end, high-dollar tactical knives: http://www.ds-tactical.org/tactical-knives/

Grad Gifts -

This is a high end gift, but I thought is was once in a lifetime.  Now that I have a second son starting I don't think it was a good prescedent.

Anyway - I gave my son after SQT a Benchmade Infidel and a Custom P220 - He loved them and uses both. Might be worth a look.

Chad Littlefield
Service is tomorrow at the First Baptist Church of Midlothian, located at 1651 S. Midlothian Pkwy at 2:00pm

Chris Kyle Memorial Service
Date: Monday, February 11, 2013
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: Cowboy Stadium, Arlington, Texas


Condolence Letters
The Family of Chris Kyle
The Family of Chad Littlefield
P.O. Box 1210
Midlothian, TX 76065

http://www.thecraft.com/InMemoriam.html?Category=49084

This from Seal of Honor:

If you can find it in your heart I am asking that you please make a contribution in Chris and Chad’s memory to the Glenn Beck Mercury One Memorial Fund. Many of you may not know, but Chris never received any of the profits from American Sniper. The funds collected by Mr. Beck go directly and immediately to the family to cover funeral, immediate expenses and their kids future. Chris valiantly served our Country and it’s our turn now to help his family. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

http://fundly.com/mercury-one-test

John B.....anytime you want to give me a P220 I'll take it!!! LOL!!!  Custom or not!!!!!  Well done!!

Grad gifts -

I talked with my guy about upcoming graduation, threw out some of the suggestions we've written on.  He was quite emphatic that he had more knives and mutitools than anyone could ever use in a lifetime, has VERY LITTLE room and didn't want "stuff", and what he really needed was MONEY (smile).  Cash doesn't have the symbolism I was hoping for, but to my surprise, he said they've had to pay for their food rations whilst out in the desert training (which I think is criminal) and said "he would most appreciate some financial help".

I got some of the same from our guy - not much room, etc.  We've been helping with $$ since boot camp -side trips & fun money. I was  also stunned early on that besides the pay scale, they are having to pay for meals & uniforms.  Doesn't look like that's going to improve with the current budget issues. We are in the process of ordering him a blade from Tactical - recognizing that while it may not ever be used with his mission kit, it is something that can serve as a reminder of what they've been thru, and what they've accomplished. Plus - he likes knives.  I always assumed that once they get out to their teams, they will get guidance on "mission" gear.  Our gift to all our kids has been that if there was something that they felt they really needed (in lieu of wanted), we would help them find a way to get it.  Some of those "little" things (knives/guns) could someday help save their lives.  HooYah 293 & 294 !!

Is there any way to get through xray if you've got that knife in your Seabag?

I've heard the same thing from my son.  Extremely sad ....and aggravating!  If these guys were paid what they are really worth to this country, we wouldn't be able to afford them. 

at the rate it's going, the gov'nt might try charge you for their training too!!!!  I'd check with TSA on the x-ray question.....

http://knife-guide.com/traveling.html

We've flown with a variety (hunting, diving) of knives in our checked bags - never had a problem. We make sure they're in the middle of the bag - don't want to make it too easy for the baggage handlers to find. UPS/FedEx works if anyone's nervous.  We've also used the USPS flat rate boxes.

Not to get political here but too many of us have no problem paying country club dues but balk at the privilege of paying dues, or taxes, to live as citizens of the greatest country in recorded history.  This all has an effect on the military budget...and ultimately on things like food and clothing allotments.

That's a discussion that will have no winners. I would take the unpopular view that the military should get what it needs, and cut back on the food stamps, welfare,  unemployment, politicians golden parachutes, etc. Way too much abuse of those entitlements.

Guys, When we gave our SEALs their knives I shipped them to myself at our hotel and they held them there for me til we arrived at Coronado the next day. I didn't want to risk them being confiscated in the airport (and having no gift to give our sons)! By the way -- see the selection at www.fehrmanknives.com, (740) 685-2637. We gave both our sons the Short Stop and Last Chance -- they (and the rest of the guys on their Team) LOVE them!  HooYah, Jerry M

Russell if you take the time to look at the federal budget, food stamps, welfare, unemployment, etc. are peanuts.  The big ticket items are social security, medicare, and the military --But you are absolutely correct that this discussion has no winners and no place here.  I apologize for bringing it up.

lot of peanuts add up to a bumper crop......

Paul, Please don't make me wish I hadn't apologised.  Do you really want a discussion of this type on here?

my bad....I just couldn't resist!!!  No worries bud!!!!!!

Gentlemen:  Let me encourage those of you who are interested in military-budget-related items to view my recent posts on sequestration and its effects both on the Navy and USAF; what you will read are comments from folks in the Air Force Assocation and the U.S. Naval Institute.  You can find my posts on my page or on the main page of Navy Dads. 

sorry guys....I was just trying to be clever with my words......did not mean to spark anything

I gave my son a chunk of change for a graduation gift of a sig.  I didn't want to buy it and have it shipped etc etc.  I also found a local company that makes (or maybe made) lower AR recievers.  My plan was to buy a lower with the BUDS/SQT class in the serial number and then get it engraved for him.  Of course the market has gone crazy and those plans are on hold.  I'd UPS or FEDEX the edged weapons.  Lastly the site mentioned in an earlier post listing Chris Kyle's memorial and website for his company, "The Craft" was pretty interesting.  All the merchandise listed at "the Craft" is out of stock; I'm assuming because the proceeds go to the family of Chris.  I dropped some coin there; good cause.  Enjoy your moments with your sons, don't spare the expense and let er rip because it only happens once!  Congrats to all!

I'll usually never push folks to FB, however, this is a exception.  Many of you will remember Rorke Denver from Act of Valor.  Check out Rorke's FB page and his book that comes out 19 Feb. https://www.facebook.com/rorkedenverauthor

pretty nice- from SOG: http://www.sogknives.com/seal-team-elite-black-tini-clip-point-part...

I gave my son my Rolex from my team days. I was Class 57 he was Class 174

Money seemed to be the best gift I could give my son.  He had a lot of needs coming up right after graduation.  Things like purchasing their own "tools of the trade" is important.  Even though a card with a check in it seems a little anticlimactic to us, they can really use it.