Retired Adm. William McRaven argued, during a recent discussion of the challenges the new Biden administration faces, that Russian President Vladimir Putin has outplayed the U.S. and Russia is the greatest external security threat. "I am often asked where do I think the greatest external security threat is, and I always point to Russia," McRaven, a former Navy SEAL and … [Read more...] about Former Navy SEAL Commander McRaven Says Putin Has Outplayed the US
I've been watching the recent comments flying back and forth between President Trump and Admiral McRaven -- as well as heckling from the media cheap seats -- over remarks that McRaven made about Trump being the biggest threat to democracy in his lifetime. The President then fired back about McRaven not finding Bin Laden sooner, and I figured this would be the right time to … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Breaking down the Trump-McRaven catfight
In a recent interview on Fox News, President Donald Trump made a number of controversial statements regarding former SOCOM Commander, retired Admiral William McRaven, referring to him as a "Hillary Clinton fan" and seemingly insinuating that McRaven could have killed the terrorist leader sooner. "OK, he's a Hilary Clinton backer and an Obama backer and frankly --" Trump … [Read more...] about Navy SEAL UBL shooter Rob O’Neill and retired Admiral McRaven both take Trump to task on Bin Laden claims
Former Navy SEAL Admiral William McRaven, who commanded the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) when al-Qa'ida leader Usama Bin Ladin was killed by American commandos in 2011, has indirectly weighed in on the Colin Kaepernick National Anthem controversy by way of an August 29, 2016, memorandum to the presidents and athletic directors of the University of Texas … [Read more...] about Former Navy SEAL Admiral Bill McRaven on the Kaepernick flag controversy
U.S. Navy Admiral and University of Texas at Austin alumnus William H. McRaven gave a great commencement speech to the University of Texas graduates of 2014. He challenged the newly graduated longhorns to make decisions that will change the world. One decision can make a big impact and change lives. As a guide, he offered the life lessons he learned from his Navy SEAL BUD/S … [Read more...] about Watch: Admiral McRaven’s ’10 Things he learned from Navy SEAL training’
I had the honor of serving with McRaven when he was my Commanding Officer at SEAL Team THREE. He's one of the most accomplished Special Operations leaders in the history of the US Military. I honestly believe the man could be the President of the United States one day. Enjoy his remarks. Brandon Remarks by Naval Adm. William H. McRaven, Ninth Commander of U.S. Special … [Read more...] about Admiral McRaven’s Message To Grads: Lead By Example
US SOCOM Release SOF Warriors, Some recent media reports about the lifting of the combat exclusion for women have been confusing, so I want to clarify our plan for the USSOCOM enterprise. As you know, the SECDEF rescinded the 1994 Direct Ground Combat Definition and Assignment Rule. Simply put, this means that women are cleared to serve in units whose primary mission … [Read more...] about ADM McRaven: RAND & JSOU to Conduct Studies on Female SOF
I just finished reading William McRaven's Spec Ops, Case Studies in Special Operations Warfare: Theory and Practice. I thought McRaven ,now an Admiral (SEAL) and in charge of US SOCOM (he was formerly in charge of JSOC), did a great job with this book. I will admit to struggling through some tough areas that were clearly an academic style of literature and difficult to read. … [Read more...] about Book Review: Spec Ops by Admiral McRaven Commander US SOCOM
Fighting an enemy that has no rules, no borders and a radical point of view is a tough thing to do these days. It reminds me of how we fought and won our independence from the British. We were significantly outnumbered, out funded, and somehow made it happen. This lesson on warfare without rules should not be lost in the US. In my opinion, if we expect to have an impact … [Read more...] about The Way Forward: McRaven’s Request for More US SOCOM Agility
I had a chance to visit with my old CO (Commanding Officer) during a recent event in DC this Tuesday. The usual media suspects were there, clamoring for a quote that is surely going to end up written out of context. When I went up to shake his hand after his talk, I let him know that it was me, "Webb", from SEAL TEAM 3. He shook my hand the way men do (with a firm grip … [Read more...] about US SOCOM Commander McRaven’s Response & Our Perspective
Admittedly the situation in Ukraine is complicated. The country is historically important to Russia, but Ukraine is a country with its own language, culture and history beyond and preceding it being folded into the Soviet Union. Both countries share a common heritage. Many in Ukraine have family in Russia and vice versa. Russia is a great country as are its people. I’ve … [Read more...] about America Should Always Support Democracies, Even Imperfect Ones Like Ukraine’s
(Editor's Note: SOFREP invites our members to submit articles for publishing consideration. Today we bring you a piece by SOFREP member Shelby Kearns. Mrs Kearns graduated with an M.A. in the Humanities from the University of Chicago and has experience teaching writing classes and working for a non-profit. She is an emerging writer and lives with her husband Matthew in Lawton, … [Read more...] about “What Are You Reading?”: A Deep Dive Into Military Professional Reading Lists
