The Trident: The Forging and Reforging of a Navy SEAL Leader Paperback – Illustrated, November 4, 2014

An obsession with baseball and potential to go somewhere with it were the only things that kept me from heading down the military route straight out of high school. I got my first taste of the military my freshman year of college going on FTX's for extra credit in military science classes I took to fulfill history requirements. Had it not been for a radical encounter with Jesus Christ on the brink of suicide, I would have sought my place on a SEAL Team, or died trying. Now I follow The Greatest Commander of all history on missions all over the globe into some tough places. On my journey with Jesus I have found that there are definitely two (at least) brands of Christianity: one that echoes the shallow and self-centered arrogance of certain Americans, and another that echoes the warrior class of self-sacrificial, laid-down lovers of honor, freedom, and country known as the Special Forces, of which the SEALs have become my favorite.I read very few books besides The Bible. But the ones I do are usually about true warriors of The [True] Christian Faith--men and women who have laid down their lives for Love of God and fellow man; those who have paid an extremely high price to REALLY KNOW The King of Glory, and especially those who have done so to walk humbly in His great power. I have drawn great strength and conviction through the lives of those who have and are suffering for their Faith, those who have been persecuted and killed for their unwavering conviction, and those who will go anywhere anytime to reach the lost without respect for the personal cost, or consideration for the hardship and suffering that awaits them there. These are the people who have deeply and intimately known their God, Savior, and King, walking the narrow road hand-in-hand with Him. I enjoy gleaning from their lives and experiences and find refuge and solace when their journey is also my own.Because of the physical demands of some of the overseas missions I have been on and my athletic background and love for fitness, somehow somewhere along the way I found myself on the floor at a local bookstore looking at military PT manuals. This led me to the discovery of how elite the Navy SEALs are and referred me to some books that contained some special few's stories. Great Leadership is everything in what I do; and I found myself most drawn to the stories that spoke of leadership under intense stress of environment and conflict. Over the past 8 years I have found myself drawn to a very few stories of great men who suffered great hardships in the tests that refined them in the fire of warfare. I love the ones where the main battlefield is the INTERNAL ONE, where one's own pride, immaturity, shortsightedness, and weaknesses must be discovered, faced head-on, and overcome. And where one's love, will, character, loyalty, and warrior's-heart is laid open and tested to its limits. While I have thoroughly enjoyed every one of the books I have read by these military warriors, I have yet to read one of this magnitude.The content itself touches home in a deep way, as Jason Redman's journey into Leadership is my own. (Although, I think I'm only 2 weeks post picking up cigarette butts at Ranger School!) His heart, vulnerability, and raw-honesty are what make this story stand alone among the books of this type that I've read. When you add in the artistry of the way it was written and composed, you have a masterfully tactical journey through highs and lows that keeps you engaged and wanting to turn one more page, while at the same time preventing you from going too quickly lest you fail to really ponder the depths and glean from the harvest of profound life-altering lessons Redman learned along the way.It's a story of an elite class of warriors and 'live-action' war; it's a story of soul-searching and character-forming through the fiery furnace of Real Life hardship, mistakes, and loss; it's a story of Redemption on more than one level; it's a story of one man beating all the odds--yet with the essential help of a great team behind him every step of the way; it's a story of Real Love (not Hollywood romance): started in sacrifice, forged through strength of commitment, and sealed through shear refusal to waiver on that covenant; and it's a story of Family: From the natural blood of children, parents, and relatives to the Brotherhood of SEALs and Special Forces Operators, to members of the Navy and other military branches and the way this story demonstrates that Rambo is a farce and all great men and women are only as great as the people that stand with them and behind them. The book has everything I love in a story... PLUS it has some great humor salted throughout some of the toughest moments. I often found myself welling up or even wiping away a few tears only to laugh out loud shortly thereafter.Greatness lies within all of us because we were all created in the image of The Great God. In order to attain that greatness we all must follow the footsteps of great ones who go on before us. We were all created to become great leaders in our own spheres, and to inspire others to greatness and leadership. This book will leave in you a deposit of Jason Redman's greatness and leadership as it challenges you to never give up and to deal with life's journey to your True Life and Calling "one evolution at a time".

I first learned about Jason Redman watching a video on YouTube. I saw his book on a table in the background and immediately ordered it. The book did not disappoint. Jason Redman is a true hero. I highly recommend this book.

good history

Amazing read! In an incredible story, I can not say enough great things about Jason's story. I highly recommend this book!

I wanted to skip all of the "I have the utmost respect for our military personnel and their families" for sake of trying to keep my review short and concise, but that would be selling those families and men short. Thank you to all of you served and continue to serve. Thank you also to the ones who stay at home - normal life does not stop when your loved ones are deployed.For sake of wanting this book to be read by all I offer this "I read Thor, Clancy, Murphy, Flynn and a ton of military fiction and non-fiction" if you read any if those authors you will enjoy this book - BUY THIS BOOK!For anyone who complains that some of these; "military" books, books on Iraq and Afghanistan and military memoir books do not have enough action - you will be extremely impressed with the battle scenes from this book - BUY THIS BOOKFor anyone who needs a kick in the $ss, kind of like myself, this book is for you and will motivate you to look internally and it will motivate you to ask and answer some hard questions about yourself - BUY THIS BOOK!For men and women who want to read about a story of a relation, a marriage that overcomes tremendous odds to succeed - BUY THIS BOOK!For all of you who call yourselves patriots - BUY THIS BOOK!Why, because this is the most well rounded non-fiction book I have ever read. You want it, this book has it. I'm just saddened that Mr Redman had to endure what he endured in order for us to have the privilege to read about it (sorry sir, I read the words on your sign and I will stop with the pity). Although it truly is not pity from which I speak but from the very core, the very definition of respect. Not from you being in the teams, but from you not only being able to recognize your shortcomings but for being man enough to do something about it. I would imagine that all of the leaders that cared enough about you to tell you the hard truths about your actions are beyond proud of you for the person you have become - even before the firefight where you were wounded. Not many human beings, myself included, could make a 180 degree turn around in attitude like you did, SEAL or no seal.Thank you for your service but thank you also for your example of change and for sharing it with us. I wish you all the best with Wounded Wear - please rest assured that there are many out there who are beyond thankful for all that you and your fellow warriors have given for us. We are also thankful to your families that have so selflessly allowed you to go out and protect our rights and freedoms. To them, thank you.To all who read this review (so much for short and concise), BUY THE BOOK, it is a fantastic read and I have no doubt you will be a better person after you read it.Thank you sir.

Wow!! I've read some fantastic seal books, red wings, Chris Kyle, lone survivor too name a few. They all seem similar but not this one this book shows the near perfect seals can get it wrong and jays story is a crazy rollercoaster that is a must read!

This was a book I could not put down till it was at the last page. It is so moving and it puts you out there with the men and makes you see what they all go through. God bless all the troops USA and UK still out there fighting and God bless all the Vetrans. THANK YOU Xx

A cracking read !

pleased.

Great book. Really well told. It will be read again and again.