Personally, I truly enjoyed the book Good to Go. Constance is a very likable individual, human and humble. He did not have an easy career path, having many setbacks, and suffered thru the suicide (lack of courage) of his father, a high ranking NAVY officer. The book is mostly about the operations he did as a SEAL in Vietnam, and not an account of his personal life, although he talks a little bit about it.

Here are some excerpts that caught my attention:

Upon his arrival in the Vietnam Jungle:

“So this is Vietnam. The past two hours had seen a metamorphosis from bravado to introspection, each of us alone with our thoughts. Could I kill? Would my reactions be as lightning quick as they were in training or would I have the proverbial: “ buck fever” and “freeze” at the worst possible moment. How could I know?” (p. 1)

-Not long ago, a post touched that subject. It is interesting to see he questionned his ability even at that point.

About quitting during BUD/S:

“Once someone quit, that was it. There were a number of guys who were every bit as physically capable as I but, in a moment of weakness, threw in the towel.” (p. 44)

- A moment of weakness… Remember that when you’re at BUD/S…

While on a walk, after hearing the PING sound of a grenade and experiencing fright:

“There we were, large beads of sweat pouring off us. Our hands soaking wet, afraid of touching anything. Then there’s Farley, screwing around as if it were a carburator he’s trying to adjust. Typical SEAL, The front half of the team scared half to death, and the back taking a break and playing around.” (p. 79)

About the officer who lead them. This comment comes after an unreasonable demand from a Captain that had used the SEALS to obtain a new decoration/ribbon and further his career:

“This was why Pete (their LO) was such a good officer. He always upheld what the front office desired. Because of our respect for him, we did whatever he asked.” (p. 149)

- The “respect” is quite an apparent word in the book. As a matter of fact, the book breathes respect : his friends in the Teams, the people of Vietnam, his relationships, etc.

After another career bump:

“In the final analysis, I had no one to blame but myself. Maybe I drank too much a time or two. Maybe it was the periods of clouded judgement as I agonized over my marriage with Sandy. Maybe it was my disrespect and intolerance at nonoperators’ comments that were ignorant at best and deadly at worst. It was probably a combination of all of these. More than anything, it was not being a good politician.” (p. 395)

- Being a good politician is a skill that can further your career. Any occasion is a learning experience. Learn to deal with people and handle them with respect.

In retrospect…

“(…) I took a position as Chief of Police at the West L.A. Veterans Affairs complex (…). I was making a living doing something I enjoyed. The West L.A. VA hospital has the largest population of PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) veterans in the country. I’d danced at the precipice and lived to tell about it. I realized there were others, especially veterans, who had been dealt an unfortunate hand and hadn’t made it over the “hump” of live. I decided to do what I could, if only through the recounting of my story. Life can be so sorrowful and so bitter that the easiest thing to do is quit, to end it, to give up, to back up or to reject it. What’s hard is to carry on and overcome those obstacles. It can be done. I am no better than anyone else. I am an average individual who found, through SEAL Team training, that you can do whatever you put your mind to. Some people just need more help than others.” (p. 413)

- He retired after serving 20 years in the NAVY. Has any of you given some thoughts about life after the SEALS? You may think I am crazy to ask you that question when you haven’t been at BUD/S yet, but it is never too early to plan for later. What would you like to do after your service in the Teams? What are your ambitions? How can you reuse your training?

I invite you to share your favorite quotes from the book or any other things/events that caught your attention.

Regards, Lucie

I have a few things I'd like to add I thought were interesting.

Early in the book it becomes apparent that what sets these men apart is their attitude. As an example in Army Airborne school (even before they are seasoned combat veterans), they had just witnessed the death of PFC Rodriguez on the two-hundred-fifty-foot training apparatus.

"Hey, get those Army guys outta there so we can go play on the towers," we started yelling.
The sergeant came back to where we were in line. His face twisted, white with anger at our insolent insincerity. His words came out clipped. "you guys think you're so big and bad?"
"Say hey, we're here for a jump."
"You guys willing to go up the tower now?" he hissed.
"In a heartbeat."
"would you mind going up in front of the Army guys to show them that it is okay?"
"Only if we get two turns," I said in perfect deadpan.
"Jeez!" exclaimed the sergeant. "get up there!"(p. 47)

My favorite mental image is the roof top scene from the Tet offensive, it's the kind of oddball thing you'd associate with Vietnam:

"We were both wearing swim trunks, T-shirts, and flip-flops—"partying" on the rooftop while looking for targets. Jessie was also wearing a stupid-looking visor, like those worn by some of the pretty-boy professional tennis players. I had to laugh. There was little Chuck Jessie, all five feet six inches and 140 pounds, alternately applying suntan lotion, adjusting his hat, getting a drink, telling jokes, and then killing somebody. It just didn't mesh!"(p. 206)

After reading the advice in Finishing School from SQT instructor Dega:

"Your manual says you ought to have a fixed-blade knife. I know some of you favor those Gucci, eighteen-inch field sabers that look cool, but why? The only thing they're good for is to dig a hole to take a crap. My opinion—a good folding knife is all you need."(p.63)

I was under the impression that the knife wasn't employed as a weapon but as a tool. So I was surprised by the mileage Constance got out of his knife in the book. Constance has his own advice about knife selection and it is similar to Dega's but perhaps, for different reasons:

"Everyone in our team had exchanged our nine inch Ka-bar knives for aircraft crewman's survival knives with a five inch blade. They just worked better and were easier to wield with their shorter blade."(p. 227)

Throughout the book I couldn't help but think how good AND lucky they were.
The Vietnam era SEALs really set tremendous precedent in courage, attitude and skill. Pretty large boots to fill.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mike Meyer,

Great comments, too, Mike. I totally agree with your last statement and I quote:

"Throughout the book I couldn't help but think how good AND lucky they were. The Vietnam era SEALs really set tremendous precedent in courage, attitude and skill. Pretty large boots to fill."

Great work!

Lucie

Mike,

I had another thought after reading your comments: yours are touching mostly the combat side, while mine are about the human being and the feelings. Right brain versus left brain?

Interesting!!!

Lucie