Chad Williams was an outgoing, self-motivated, somewhat obnoxious young man who knew what he wanted in life and pursued it with a passion, one hundred and ten percent. After bouts of celebrity fame in skateboarding, Vans shoe endorsements, and professional fishing, Chad decided that what he wanted most in his life was to become a Navy SEAL. His father, weary of his son’s fickle decision making, arranged for him to have some training sessions with Scott Helvenston, a current Navy SEAL, to be sure it was really something he wanted to pursue before signing up. Chad and Scott began an intense training relationship that ultimately led to mentorship and friendship.

A few days before he was to report for Boot Camp, Chad turned on the television and was horrified to see Scott, who had been deported to Iraq, being drug through the streets of Fallujah, mutilated and murdered after being ambushed. He was filled with anger and grief and he allowed those emotions to fuel his desire to move forward with the Navy and his desire to become a SEAL.

A large portion of this book details the excruciating training regimen Chad endured to become a SEAL. Some of it was hard to imagine anyone making it through. One thing I found interesting though is that one doesn’t get “cut” from attempting to make it to SEAL. One excuses himself when he can no longer move forward in the training. It is designed to be too difficult. It is an incredible test of endurance and strength. It is an awesome display of what the human body and mind are capable of overcoming. And when you read about some of the missions the SEALS complete in the field, then you can appreciate why they must go through what they go through.

After  years of planning and preparing, obsessing actually, about becoming a SEAL, he made it.  And just a couple of months after, something in his life changed and his desire to serve as a SEAL began to fade fast.

This book highlights Chad’s journey to becoming a SEAL and also the journey his life took when he became a born again Christian. It was actually funny the way his conversion happened, as he was quite belligerent about not being a follower of Christ. But like the Good Book says, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NKJV

I enjoyed reading this true account of someone who had the ambition and physical prowess to become a SEAL, and I especially enjoyed reading about his missions in the field for the 5 or 6 years he served before retiring as a SEAL and becoming a full time minister/evangelist.

I read this book as part of my 2018 TBR Pile Challenge. This is book 6 of 12 that I have challenged myself to read, and since July is ending I am a tiny bit behind schedule. Oh well, maybe I’ll catch up in August??