Ryan Zinke - American Commander: Serving a Country Worth Fighting For and Training the Brave Soldiers Who Lead the Way

There was a time when America looked to men who had been on the front lines to lead our nation. Those of us who have taken the oath of office and were willing to make the last full measure of devotion stand ready to serve our republic there is no statute of limitations on our commitment. I endorsed Ryan Zinke in his run for Congress because he represents what this country so desperately needs at this time in her historymen and women who have served selflessly in our military turning their patriotism, knowledge, and leadership skills to Take the High Ground, Capitol Hill. Ryan embodies that which is exceptional about Americaa modern-day Spartan. He is a decorated commander at the navys most elite SEAL Team. With Ryan you have an unstoppable warrior for the people. American Commander is a must-read if you want to understand the SEAL credo: Never Quit!

LIEUTENANT COLONEL ALLEN B. WEST

US ARMY, RETIRED;

MEMBER OF 112TH US CONGRESS;

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL CENTER FOR POLICY ANALYSIS

I am proud to have been the founding father and first commanding officer at the navys most elite SEAL Team and equally proud of the men in the next generation of SEALslike Ryan Zinke (Z). Z and his men have taken the tactics and operational readiness of my generation to the level the world knows today. They continue to strike devastation and fear in the hearts and minds of our nations worst enemies and make us proud of the Trident they wear with honor.

DICK MARCINKO

COMMANDER, UNITED STATES NAVY, RETIRED; FOUNDING FATHER AND FIRST

COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE NAVYS MOST ELITE SEAL TEAM; AUTHOR OFROGUE WARRIOR

2016 by Ryan Zinke and Scott McEwen

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016945746

EPub Edition November 2016 ISBN 9780718081676

ISBN 978-0-7180-7787-7 (hardcover)

Printed in the United States of America

16 17 18 19 20 RRD 6 5 4 3 2 1

This book is dedicated to military families like my family.

To my wife, the love of my life, Lolita, my children Jennifer,

Wolfgang, Konrad, my son-in-law Jack, and my two amazing

granddaughters Matilda and Charlotte. Life for any military

family is hard. Life for a SEAL Team family is harder. I spent

years missing birthdays, family dinners, tucking my kids in at

night, and anniversaries. Lolita was left raising a family alone

with the uncertainty of my return. Thank you for understanding

and waiting for me, no matter how long it took to get home.

IN THE SEALS, WE ARE DRIVEN BY THE UNDERSTANDING that we are a part of a team that must operate as one fighting unit in order to effectively accomplish our mission. Officer or enlisted, each of us is tasked with the integral role of seeing that our job is done right the first time, every time. No member of the team is any more important than anyone else. We all either win or lose together, and quitting is not an option. Mission failure is simply not an option in the SEAL teams and even less acceptable in SEAL Team where defeat is often of national strategic consequence. This legacy of team and never quit was taught to us by those who preceded us in wearing the Trident and was passed down through us to those who currently bear its substantial weight.

With this legacy in mind, I met Ryan Zinke, a former commander at SEAL Team and fellow Team member, before I was assigned to the command. While having heard of Ryan by his reputation as a lead from the front and take charge commander, I did not meet him until he was the sole congressman from our mutual home of Montana. After meeting him, I understood why he was able to accomplish what he had, both in his leadership and legacy with the SEALs and in his current leadership role in restoring American values and greatness. Ryan is certainly deserving of respect simply by virtue of his status as a United States congressman. However, my respect for this man is even greater due to his leadership roles at SEAL Team and the respect that he has earned from warriors who served with him.

In my tenure with the SEAL teams, I found that those who are the best in leading the SEALs do so by example, not necessarily by commandand there is a difference. Being an officer commissioned in the United States military means something but does not fully define the man or his role in getting the job done. When I met Ryan, it quickly became apparent why he was able to accomplish what he had within the SEAL teams. He was there during the time of the original plank members, dating back to when Captain Dick Marcinko was in charge of SEAL Team . They were the giants of the SEALs and a wild bunch but also believed in training hard and pushing the tactics to be the best counterterrorist force in the worlda substantial and crucial legacy. Ryan was still there when the team reorganized to face the current demands of conducting sustained combat special operations worldwide. The legacy that Ryan and his generation of team members created was equally substantial, and I would like to think crucial, in our ultimate use of the skill set to dispatch many enemies of this nation, not the least of whom was one Osama bin Laden. Though it was a challenging mission, there are many within our ranks who have accomplished even more difficult missions than this one. I am proud of my contribution. When I was a SEAL I truly walked on the shoulders of giants. Each generation of SEALs builds on our traditions and tactics to make the next generation better.

Our nation and our SEALs have gone through some major transitions since 9/11, and continue to do so, but the core, the values, and the attitude that we will never quit have not and will not change. This is what SEALs are, what Ryan is, and what I am. It is why SEALs never truly retire; they just change the mission for this great idea and nation we call America.

Ryan and I now have a common goal: our commitment to the men and women who have served in our militaryall of our military, not just the SEAL teams. Given the increased public recognition each of us has received, we have the ability to bring to light issues that others may not understand and protect those most important to us: our veterans. We are committed to seeing the men and women veterans of our country looked after effectively and hope to instill a similar desire in those who would hear our story.