Reading American Sniper With The Boy
I bought “American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History” a few weeks ago and have been reading it with my boy a little bit most nights. Foul language in the right context doesn’t cause me a problem for Ben to experience but just to be clear, it exists and not in small amounts. I don’t think a Navy SEAL could express the horrors of war properly without such colorful terms.
The author, Chris Kyle, doesn’t appear to have used a “ghost writer” and it shows. I don’t think I’d enjoy it as much if it had a Steinbeck tone to it. It feels straight from the heart. The sadness, excitement, fearlessness, disdain, hate and confusion all bleed through in his personal-esque delivery.
My father and two of my brothers served in the military so at a minimum I have the “family” respect for military service. You might consider that it equates to deep respect for those who serve our country. It also heightens my intolerance for those in power who send our men and women into combat without a clear directive to “win”.
If you decide to read the book you’ll discover the SEAL’s frustration for strict Rules of Engagement (ROE) which by his description causes loss of life for American forces, indecision and fear of prosecution. The enemy has no such rules. Not that we shouldn’t have *some* rules but what Kyle describes is sickening to me.
Reading this book with my boy (and commenting along the way to him) I’m trying to pass along the notion that we must be extremely careful in how/when we deploy our precious troops to areas of conflict. The world has changed and we can’t afford to send them into harm’s way unless things are so bad that we unleash them with the full ability to win decisively. We must have the absolute will to win and shrug off the video bites we get back home that almost always paint our troops in a bad light. Yes, we have bad guys in the military and good guys who, after the horrors they experience do stupid things. But that’s the minority. That bad behavior should not cause us to tie the hands of the majority who are laying down their lives to protect us.
I’ve read through Chris Kyle’s deployments to Fallujah and Ramadi; They are awe-inspiring, terrifying and beat me with a combination of extreme admiration and heart wrenching sadness. Kyle is unapologetic as he protects his “brothers”. He’s pompous at times (and don’t we want our SEALs to all think they’re the most bad-ass MoFo to get through BUD/S and beyond?) but gives respect where due. And then he seems helpless as he describes his fallen brothers, the illness of his child while he’s at war and the incredible burden his wife must bear. He is 100% human with experiences to both extremes and quite a lot in between. I think it’s more than most of us could ever dream of enduring.
I question if it’s a little early to be reading this to Ben but I want to burn into his brain the consequences of our decision to go to war or not. War can be unavoidable but if we decide to go I hope Ben’s generation won’t hamstring our troops for the sake of political correctness.
Whether you were “for” or “against” the actions in Iraq/Afghanistan, this book will give you an insight into what our troops go through when exposed to such things. Go buy the book, read it and let the stories simmer.
Hugh McDonald and 
tom are discussing.
Hugh McDonald 6:37 am on March 18, 2012 Permalink
It seems to me that the policy issues which drive decisions about the use of military force are themselves framed by answers to questions concerning who we are as a people. Questions about our identity as a people (nation) necessarily come to others about who we are as individuals including, perhaps first of all, most importantly of all, the nature and source of our humanity. Following, in close order, will be others concerning our founding and history as a nation and our chartering documents (Declaration of Independence and the Constitution).
So, I hope that your reading of “Sniper” to your son (why not your daughter as well?) will accompanied by discussions about who we are as individuals and as a nation. It is easy to say “No going to war without the clear objective of victory and the capacity/determination to achieve it”. The ability to do it depends greatly on the strength and nature of one’s understanding of ourselves and our nation.
I’m going to buy the book.
tom 4:30 pm on March 18, 2012 Permalink
I wish I could believe the decisions were made with the depth of consideration you describe but I don’t. They *should* but I don’t think they are. I’m a cynic and would love to be wrong.
The reason why it has taken a few weeks to get through the first 300 pages is because I’m been giving commentary along the way. Hopefully I’m addressing the right things in the proper manner but as you know, you never know for sure until many years later.
I’m not reading it to Abby because she has a different heart. I hope to send home a similar message but through other means. I gave Abby her first pocket knife before Ben and let her keep it in her room after some time. Ben has one but it stays in my room until he needs it. I guess it’s just different temperaments. I’m not terribly calculating but some things just make sense to me. And again, I may not know if I guessed right for many years, if ever. 🙂
Hugh McDonald 6:28 am on March 21, 2012 Permalink
I bought the book – what has impressed the most, up to the point of Hell Week, is Kyle’s determination and preparation. I see those as keys to understanding the basis for his success. In a me serving way, they seem an affirmation of my claim that commitments to a goal should be supported by an understanding of the rationale behind the commitment.
When your heart is good, your intentions well founded and your determination is strong, i don’t think it matters very much whether guesses are right or wrong – things tend to work out in the long run.
Gotta get to work. Seem more energized lately and don’t want to waste the opportunity to get something done.