Obviously women are wired differently because I've had the same dreams, only as Army Ranger snipers, in search of enemy combatants that don't have the courage to stand and fight. Although, that might be attributed to the hope that not all of my children decide to go to college at a projected cost of $500,000+ for a 4-year education! I'm holding out for other options like seminary, enlistment, a sports contract right out of HS, trade school (mechanics make more than double and hour than I make), etc. But I digress... :)

Congrats on the new gig!

I am green with envy; well, and a little green anyway after reading about poop, but I'll get over it.

Priceless!

Now be sure to regale his future girlfriends with these stories: Best. Contraceptives. Ever.

(sneaking back to work)

Not all women are equal.

I too have a son named William and I also believe he is destined to become a Navy Seal. He has been in the pool since 5 1/2 months and LOVES it! We also went to Maui recently where he Dug the ocean and the plane ride there and back he was a peach! He just turned one year old. Maybe our Williams will meet some day and become best of friends as Navy Seals.

My kids will know how to shoot before they know how to ride a bike.

I can only hope you can influence him not to be a SEAL. While a noble endeavor, I would steer him towards being an Apache Longbow pilot. Having the ability to arrange a meeting between the enemy and his Maker from 6 miles away with a Hellfire missile, or making hamburger meat out of a group of "insurgents" trying to undermine the building of a democratic nation with some handy High-Explosive, Dual-Purpose (HEDP) 30mm cannon rounds, or blowing-up a terrorist "safe house" with some 70mm rockets, just gives ya that warm fuzzy and that little involuntary chill (like when you tap a kidney, something only men seem to experience).
However, being a Navy SEAL is a good thing to shoot for (pun intended). Better buy your .50 Cal Barrett now, before they're all illegal!

That was hilarious, Tony! Fine piece of writing. You rock.

Now, we all know that SEALs just get good press :) Really, they're just a stepping stone on the way to Delta Force!

Last week Ron (age 7) told me that he wants to be military. I just raised my eye-brows, waiting for him to expound on his plan. He told me that he plans on being a doctor, then joining the military, so he can be near the battle and "re-assemble" soldiers faster and better.

He devised this plan without the benefit of television, although I must admit that I had a barrage of images from "MASH" and "BionicMan" flash through my head!

Well, I am an ex-Navy SEAL, and I don't recall my parents regaling me with stories of explosive diarrhea, and submission lip pulling. Then again I never asked so it's possible.

If your son does make it to the Teams, he will receive an life education that cannot be paid for or obtained anywhere else... including the Ivy League. He will learn how to perform extremely hard physical labor, endure intense psychological pressure, and gain a tremendous sense of accomplishment.

If you are fortunate enough to attend your son's graduation from BUD/S, I promise you that it will be one of the proudest moments of your life (it was for my folks). I think that the most important thing that you can do to make your dream come true is to foster in your son the instinct to seek out challenges and the perseverence to see them through.

All the best,

Matthew Heidt Class 184

Hey Tony just wanted to say that I thought your article was hilarious!

besides you're article, i've really enjoyed your writing for several months now and it's good to see some regular updates lately...i look forward to reading more in the days to come!

keep it up!

What is your faux-macho bloviating attempting to compensate for?

Sheesh. Spare us from armchair boosterism. Too bad your son isn't 18 right now - I'm sure you'd be pressing him to march right over to the recruitment center to help w/the recruiting shortage...Maybe he'd like to drive a truck between Baghdad International and the Green Zone. I know that's what some of my former students are doing right now.

...or is have a "support the troops" magnetic ribbon on your bumper enough for you...

Dear Truck,

I've found that's it's best not to surf the Web after having too much wine with dinner.

Yours,

Tony

I posted a link on my blog because I know a new mom with a little boy, and that she needs a laugh. Can't miss with that one!

Dear Tony,

Thank you for your non-response. Attempt at humorous deflection noted.

Best,
the truck

I found my way over here from Mike Huben's Blog. An "excellent conservative criticism" he said of your five post series on the problem with libertarianism. I'm going to read it and cogitate on it shortly. As far as the sniper thing is concerned, the best sniper, and still the best, was probably Carlos Hathcock, and he is said to have warned against the "John Wayne" mentality of many soldiers, emphasizing skill and quiet, deliberate thought as essential to being an effective sniper. I can tell you incredible patience and stealth are essential. He is reported to have asked of his students from Quantico, when meeting them later, "Stopped your heart lately?" That's something you might expect a practitioner of yoga to do and I suppose he tried to teach that, but I doubt he was into yoga. Anyway, it was a cute story, but I came by to read the more serious stuff. As the proud father of a U.S. Army Ranger who is, thank God, out of the service now, buy little William all the first person shooters he wants, if that is what he wants, and pray that's as close to combat as he will ever have to get. It's not cute. And BTW, a bolt action .50 that close in? That wouldn't be the wise choice.