The Red Circle: My Life in the Navy SEAL Sniper Corps and How I Trained America's Deadliest Marksmen

By: Brandon Webb, John David Mann

Narrated by: Jon Bailey

Length: 12 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Before he could forge a band of elite warriors ... he had to become one himself.

Brandon Webb's experiences in the world's most elite sniper corps are the stuff of legend. From his grueling years of training in Naval Special Operations to his combat tours in the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan, The Red Circle provides a rare and riveting look at the inner workings of the U.S. military through the eyes of a covert operations specialist.

Yet it is Webb's distinguished second career as a lead instructor for the shadowy "sniper cell" and Course Manager of the Navy SEAL Sniper Program that trained some of America's finest and deadliest warriors - including Marcus Luttrell and Chris Kyle - that makes his story so compelling. Luttrell credits Webb's training with his own survival during the ill-fated 2005 Operation Redwing in Afghanistan.

Kyle went on to become the U.S. military's top marksman, with more than 150 confirmed kills.

From a candid chronicle of his student days, going through the sniper course himself, to his hair-raising close calls with Taliban and al Qaeda forces in the northern Afghanistan wilderness, to his vivid account of designing new sniper standards and training some of the most accomplished snipers of the 21st century, Webb provides a rare look at the making of the Special Operations warriors who are at the forefront of today's military.

Explosive, revealing, and intelligent, The Red Circle provides a uniquely personal glimpse into one of the most challenging and secretive military training courses in the world.

A portion of proceeds from this book will go towards The Red Circle Charitable Foundation, which helps families of fallen Special Operations Warriors.

About the authors:

Brandon Webb is a former U.S. Navy SEAL; his last assignment with the SEALs was Course Manager for the elite SEAL Sniper Course, where he was instrumental in developing new curricula that trained some of the most accomplished snipers of the 21st century. Webb has received numerous distinguished service awards, including the Presidential Unit Citation and the Navy Commendation Medal with a "V" for "Valor", for his platoon's deployment to Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks. He is editor for Military.com's blog Kit Up, SOFREP's Editor in Chief, and a frequent national media commentator on snipers and related Special Operations Forces military issues.

John David Mann, who collaborated with Webb in writing The Red Circle, is an award-winning author whose titles include the New York Times best seller Flash Foresight and the international best seller The Go-Giver.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2012 Brandon Webb (P)2012 Brandon Webb

Brandon Webb - Extraordinary and Personable

Would you consider the audio edition of The Red Circle: My Life in the Navy SEAL Sniper Corps and How I Trained America's Deadliest Marksmen to be better than the print version?

The audio version features an introduction by Brandon Webb to each chapter, and few special surprises at the end of the book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Brand Webb; yet I have to say I enjoyed getting to know all of the people in his life.

What about Jon Bailey’s performance did you like?

His appreciation of the story which was evident in the way he told it. It was almost as if he was Brandon.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Brandon's realization that "excellence matters."

Any additional comments?

Great opportunity to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the sacrifices made by the Navy SEALS. We cannot thank them, and who serve in the military, enough. Thank you Brandon, for sharing your story.

One of the Best

This is one of the best books about Navy SEALs I have encountered. Chief Webb goes from his childhood, all the way through serving and then leaving the Navy. He goes into a lot more about training and missions than I have seen (while still maintaining operational security). One thing I liked, which is seldom seen, is that he shows the SEALs he served with as human - amazing men, but still flawed humans. It isn't all sunshine and roses - he shows the mistakes and the internal conflict within the Teams.

I really liked how he talked about taking SEAL sniper training from a Cold War mentality to what was needed for the Global War on Terror.

One great thing about the audio book is that the author adds his comments before each chapter. He seems to be speaking off the cuff during those parts (several "uh" and "likes"), but it is a nice touch.

Great Life Lessons Within War Stories

The Red Circle is a phenomenal listen if you enjoy war stories. The intros to each chapter add a very personal touch as do the stories about famous seals revealed by the author at the end. Webb wrote and exceptional book and communicates his stories story in and exceptionally vivid way. (Webb achieves excellence in everything he does.) I loved hearing about how about the evolution of the seal sniper school under his hand. He also has a unique view on the war in Iraq due to his being deployed a year or two before the 9/11 attack.

The narration is fantastic regardless of what others say. The narrator keeps the story moving at a great pace and is very enjoyable. Should he have known not to spell out BUDS every time? Obviously. But anyone who is not a navy seal does not have the right to complain this minor detail.

The book does not teach you how to shoot like a Navy seal. That is not the books purpose. Rather the book tells stories describing the rigorous training that creates world class snipers.

I personally loved this book, even more than Lone Survivor. It describes principles that can be applied to any career and any set of goals, while being wrapped up in a wildly entertaining story.

Factual educational and historic

This book gives a peak into the positive use of highly trained NCOs and some failures as positives on the officer core! Thanks

This book is fantastic

One of the best books i have ever read/ listening to i am going to read your other books to thank you so much for sharing your story

great book, looking for more from Brandon webb

loved it, the bonus material between chapters is a great touch! I will definitely be looking for more from Webb.

Great listen

Great story, written well, and narration was very good. I was a little worried when I read some of the negative comments on narration but think those must be based on earlier version.

All this sacrifice now under the control of people that hate America.

Sad, just sad. Must be awful to have gone through all this, and watch the people that are now in power systematically destroy America.

Thanks Brandon.

My name is Rocco Lavacci, I am former Navy (1986▪︎1996) Boiler Tech/ship board firefighter. Had the distinct pleasure of helping (As Mike Ritland is fond of saying 'voluntold ')some team 2 and DevGru guys get ESWS Quals for engineering. Also good Friends with Charlie Strange who's Son Michael (CTR1) Died in Wardack on Extortion 17. Thank You for Your service and for taking the time to educate we rabid readers (schooling us) on the techniques of modern sniping. As an amateur gun builder and Long Range rifleman I appreciate You. Thanks a bunch

Not surprised.

Enjoyed listening to this story. One of multiple SEAL stories that I’ve listened to. These guys are truly unique. Not chest thumping oh look at me I’m a Navy SEAL. Very humble guys who have great stories to tell and great life lessons to teach. I usually always end asking myself “can I be better”.