Excerpt: Former Navy SEAL's Memoir 'The Red Circle'
Brandon Webb, ex-SEAL sniper, pens book on SEAL training, operations.
April 10, 2012 — -- Brandon Webb served for nearly a decade as a member of the elite U.S. Navy SEALs, much of it as a sniper instructor. In his new memoir released today, Webb recounts his upbringing, his struggle to become a SEAL, his dangerous work on the field of battle and back at the range where he trained some of the deadliest men on the planet. Below is an excerpt from his book, "The Red Circle."
I am standing in a large room, about the size of an average high school gymnasium. I don't know the location. I was brought here blindfolded.
All the walls are black. Loud rock music blares from oversize speakers, adding to the sense of confusion and disorientation. On the floor at my feet, there is painted a large red circle. I have been told I have to stand my ground and hold this circle, no matter what.
As I stand here in the red circle -- now my red circle -- a hood comes down over my head and the lights go out. I don't know what to expect, but whatever comes next, it's going to be serious. I know the people who have brought me here have done everything they can to break me down and throw me off balance, but I know better than to panic. In my mental self-management SEAL training days, I learned to prepare for situations like this, and I have already rehearsed a slew of worst-case scenarios in my head. I'm ready for whatever they throw at me.
"Let the punishment begin," I think.
Nothing happens.
I continue standing there, blinded inside my hood. Reflexes ready, senses as acute as I can muster. My ears strain to hear past the blaring rock, my nostrils flare to pick up any scent I can. Who's out there beyond the confines of that dark hood? Hostiles. How many? Seconds tick by. Despite myself, I start to relax, ever so slightly -- and the instant I do so the hood is yanked off my head and I am punched in the face, hard.
My head snaps back. I am temporary blinded by the white light that follows a strong blow to the head. But we've been trained to stand in a way that protects posture and ensures a balanced stance, and I don't lose my balance. As my head comes back upright and my vision returns, I see one immediate threat -- the guy who just clocked me -- and two more coming at me from the far end of the room, both armed.
Instantly I slam the guy in front of me, a quick muzzle strike to the face with my M4 rifle to back him off a few feet, then unload three rounds to his head, and he goes down.
I whip my M4 up and engage the two targets running at me, by now both within ten feet and closing fast. I shoot the closest one first, two rounds to the head, and just as I'm about to put a third round into him, something f***s up. It's the kind of glitch you hope won't occur, but know it so often does: my M4 malfunctions.
In situations like this, you can't afford to stop and deal with the malfunction. Shifting focus to the other target I immediately drop the M4, which is slung in a way that causes it to swing down and to the left, out of the way of my secondary weapon, a pistol holstered on my right side. As the rifle drops and swings left I have already drawn my pistol.
I pump four rounds into the number two guy coming at me. He goes down -- but as he falls to the ground his weapon clips my right forearm.
I'm hit, but still standing.
Breathing hard, sweat dripping my face, I feel the salt sting of sweat in my eyes. I wipe my forehead, look down, and smile.
I've held my red circle.
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