One Perfect Op

by Kevin Dockery and Dennis Chalker

Book Overview

America's most elite commando unit, the US Navy SEAL Team Six pulled off one of the most remarkable covert operations in military history when they infiltrated the secret hideout of Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan in the dead of night and killed the hated terrorist mastermind. Dennis Chalker was an original "plankowner" (founding member) of SEAL Team Six, and in One Perfect Op , he takes readers deep inside the remarkable world of America's Special Forces...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0062114735
• ISBN13: 9780062114730
• Release Date: July 2011
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Salt, but Good

Through his language, it is quite obvious that Chalker is a sailor -- he's as full of salt as the sea. If you can skim that, it's a great book. Chalker churns up some fascinating stories, from his training to days in Red Cell. He doesn't bog down with a lot of 'I' strain, but makes it personal. It's certainly a fascinating account, and downright funny in a couple of places. (Particularly the end.) There is very little on his training, which worked here. (Read The Warrior Elite: The Forging of SEAL Class 228 for a terrific look at BUD/S.) The missions, also, are rather obscure, probably because most of them weren't so long ago that he can reveal much. However, it still makes for a good read, and is certainly worth picking up, if you can gloss the salt.

Remembering the good times?

While reading Chalker's book, I had mixed feelings. The book is mainly about Chalker's career with the Teams. He starts off on why he decided to join the Teams, his introduction into Team 6, his brief time with Red Cell, and then his short time as an instructor. Overall, it seems Chalker had a very nice career with the Navy and on top of that he did something only a few people will ever have a chance to do. Throughout the book, Chalker was vague with descriptions. Chalker never gave full details about his mission, his training, or how he keeps up with his physical fitness. Recurring themes throughout the book were Chalker's time at bars, his time with teammates, and details about teammates. Chalker was even vague about his wife, how they met, or about their children. Throughout his Red Cell description, he gives about one or two pages about the mission, then he goes into great length to talk about barbeques or a trip to the bar or how someone reacted to a fake hostage situation (some of which were funny). I never really fully understood the meaning behind the book until the epilog. All the stuff Chalker talked about throughout the book had one common theme that wasn't immediately apparent: brotherhood and remembering days with people you cared. Chalker talked a lot about being with his team mates - some of whom died from accidents. I think the greatest thing you can get with any career is being able to look back and remember all the fun times you had with you and your friends - I think that's what Chalker was trying to accomplish in his book. Overall, the book is pleasing if you can read it until the end. Chalker's book isn't so much about SEAL's missions or about training to become one, it's more or less about being together with people you care about and being able to have a career you can say was "one perfect op."

Another Point of View From Marcinko

Dennis is a SEAL with wider scope.He was one of the paratroopers in 82 airborne.Then he joined the SEAL, then Team Six and Red Cell.After that he became a master chief and went back to instruct those tadpoles.So you can see the Red Cell in his eyes.Certain details he tried to explain deeper than Marcinko.And all the tricks and fun they had together.Besides that, you will also find out his love and devotion to the Team and Teammates.The valuable experience he tried to show those tadpoles.He combines The Spirit of an Old Navy Sailor and a Modern Warrior.Trust me, once you read it, you`ll like it.

Hoo-Yah Command Master Chief

An excellent book, not in any way a boastful shoot-em up, rather a thoughtful and balanced look at a life in the SEAL Teams along the lines of Richard Marcinko's non-fiction books. It is particularly interesting to see the same events through the eyes of Mr. Chalker in contrast to those of Mr. Marcinko. The importance of perserverance and teamwork to success comes through along with the quality of the training these men receive. A valuable contribution.

Hoo yah, Master Chief Chalker

This is an excellent book, the story of an incredible carreer told with intelligence, humility and humor. If you have read the story in Richard Marchinko's excellent Red Cell et al., this book provides a fascinating opportunit to hear the same stories from another perspective. In the same spirit as Marchinko's books, "One Perfect Op" is not a boastful shoot 'em up, rather thoughtful reflections showing that even motivated highly-traned SEALs can have doubts, fears and bad luck, but that teamwork and training really work. It is heartening to know that there have been and hopefully will continue to be people of Command Master Chief Stalker's quality defending our nation.