Tough Rugged Bastards

A Memoir of a Life in Marine Special Operations

De: John A. Dailey

Narrado por: Tom Beyer

Following the 9/11 attacks, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld directed the Marine Corps to establish a unit that would answer to US Special Operations Command. The eighty-six-man "Detachment One" was formed with a two-year charter to train and deploy as a "proof-of-concept" to assess the viability of a larger Marine Special Operations contribution in support of the Global War on Terror.

For such a departure from the norm, a special leader was needed. The Commanding Officer—Colonel Robert J. Coates, a Marine Force Recon legend—was given his pick of personnel. One of the four team leaders he selected was Gunnery Sergeant John A. Dailey.

These men built a unit from nothing, trained for unknown missions in an unknown location, and deployed amid controversy and skepticism. Once in Iraq, they were dubbed "Task Unit Raider" and quickly won over the naysayers who doubted the Marine's ability to operate successfully.

This book tells Dailey's story of the creation, training, and volatile 2004 Iraq deployment of Task Unit Raider that led to the creation of the Marine Forces Special Operations Command. Det-1 served as the bridge between the Raiders of WWII and the Marine Raiders of today.

©2024 John A. Dailey (P)2024 Tantor

Interesting and historical

What an interesting story told from a first person, humble perspective. Dailey has a masterful way of weaving in early history with current views. Highly recommended.

Great historical account of the precursor to today’s MARSOC

Dailey telling this story from first hand experience is amazing. He inadvertently, or maybe on purpose, shared strong principals that are worth reading or listening to for anyone.

Really enjoyed the first hand history of the creation of Det 1 to Marsoc

There were some parts that of his story that seemed to be put as filler but the overall was great. It was very interesting hearing the journey for the creation of Marsoc from someone that was hand picked to do so. Very cool.

Enough details

He gave enough details to keep the story interesting without making it boring. Very well done

Outstanding insider accounting for the formation of the Marine Raiders!

To this author, John Daily, THANK YOU! Thank you for giving voice to the community that comprises Marine Force Recon, to Det. 1, and eventually, though kicking and screaming within the top brass, into the SOCOM community of tier 1 operators as Marine Raiders. Mr. Dailey gives the reader/listener the kind of first-hand on-the-ground understanding of this smallest (and in my not so humble opinion) most elite of the armed services, that affords the listener insights and understanding usually reserved for those who have served. This account of a life of service above self is articulate, engaging, and thorough in its treatment of the topic. A must read/listen for anyone interested in the life of a modern Marine NCO.