Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win

“Your guys aren’t in building 79, are they?” the company
commander asked me, just to be sure.
I looked at my battle map to coordinate the numbers I was hearing
over the net. I located building 79, just down the street from where Delta
Platoon was located, in building 94.
“Negative,” I replied to the captain. “I’ve got SEALs in building 94;
not in 79.”
“Alright. Let’s engage!” said the captain, fired up to take out some
enemy snipers. Every one of us was eager to hammer enemy fighters and
protect the U.S. troops on the ground in harm’s way. But we had to be
sure.
“Stand by,” I said. “Let’s confirm what we have here.”
I keyed up my radio to talk to my SEALs on the less formal net that
only we utilized. I spoke directly to Delta’s platoon commander: “We
have some enemy activity in your vicinity, possible snipers; want to
engage with a Bradley main gun.^2 I need you to confirm your position—
one hundred percent.”
“Roger,” he replied, “I have already triple-checked. Building direct
to our south is 91. South of that is the road. The roof of our building has
an L-shaped room on the roof. You can see it on the battle map. I’m
sitting in it. It is confirmed: we are in building 94. One hundred percent.
Over.”
I acknowledged the Delta Platoon commander’s transmission. Then,
to the company commander next to me, I said, “It’s confirmed, my guys
are in building 94.”
“Alright then, lets hammer these guys,” the company commander
replied.
“Hold on,” I said, checking one more time. “Let’s confirm what your