One of my few non-fiction sources wasSoldier of Fortune magazine, so its quite surreal and a serious honor to be doing this interview with you today. Quinnell, J.C. Pollock, and Louis LAmour. One of the mantras I live by is, never pay attention to the odds.Han Solo said something similar inThe Empire Strikes Backbefore flying into an asteroid field; the influence of popular culture was strong in the 80s. Error: There was an internal error submitting your form. As an author, I solve those problems on the page, in much the same way I once did downrange, though now the stakes are a bit different. From a very early age I knew I wanted to serve my country in uniform and had my sights on becoming a SEAL. You've been in some sketchy situations. After trying and failing to locate Ambassador Stevens in a smoke-filled building, they evacuated the remaining Americans to the annex, taking fire all the way. Upon release, 13 Hours grossed $69 million worldwide against a production budget of $50 million (not including advertising and distribution), and became one of Bay's lowest-grossing films until the 2022 release of Ambulance. [48] Richard Roeper similarly praised 13 Hours in his review for the Chicago Sun-Times. Q. The former Navy SEAL is portrayed by John Krasinski in the 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi movie. Were the men really told to wait and stand down when they were ready to leave for the compound? Yes. Despite the personnel at the U.S. diplomatic compound phoning and pleading for help, the CIA security contractors were told to stand down. Has the experience of telling your story been therapeutic? We Cinematically, 13 Hours is riveting, intense, and highly suspenseful. I also didnt want him to be a super hero and be good at everything which I think makes him relatable. "[55] Culture and Information Minister, Omar Gawaari, also criticized the film saying: "the movie shows the US contractors who actually failed to secure the ambassador [] as heroes", adding that Michael Bay "turned America's failure to protect its own citizens in a fragile state into a typical action movie all about American heroism". One step further, its about a veteran of the War on Terror bringing that war home to the people who have been sending young men and women to their deaths downrange from comfortable offices in Northern Virginia and D.C. for closing in on two decades. "But I would not enjoy risking my life for oil. '13' stars John Krasinski as former Navy SEAL Jack Silva. Instead of worrying about the odds of making it through I focused on training and preparing. Kris "Tonto" Paronto is a former security contractor and Army Ranger. I try to shoot as often as I can, but it is not nearly as much as I did in the Teams. Hillary Clinton's nameis never uttered, and the owner of the blame for thesorry state of security is never specified. Oz: It started when Chuck Hogan was writing the script. Jack is also learning the nuances involved in adapting his work into a new medium. In the film, actor John Krasinski plays Jack Silva, a former U.S. Navy SEAL who has remained anonymous. LeVar Burton Says Reading Is Central to Parenting, How John Krasinski Got Incredibly Ripped in Just Four Months, 4 Daily Exercises Every Navy SEAL (and Every Fit Guy) Should Do, Strong: Nine Workout Programs for Women to Burn Fat, Boost Metabolism, and Build Strength for Life, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. This is also whathe does so annoyingly: Healwayskeeps things at full throttle. I recognized the military as one chapter in my life. What remains true to real events is the willingness of the operators to risk their own lives to save others, particularly when they charged into the compound with no idea what awaited them. James Reece is on a transformative journey, which is something we can all relate to. "[50], In a mixed review, Inkoo Kang of TheWrap praised 13 Hours for its action scenes, but panned Bay's direction as "myopic". Carr spent 20 years in Naval Special Warfare, from an enlisted SEAL sniper specializing in communications and intelligence, to leading special operations teams in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines. To begin, Mitch, tell me how you got these guys to tell you their story. To get there, we sit on the shoulder of Jack Silva (John Krasinski), a former Navy SEAL saying goodbye to his family and heading overseas for the inevitable shitshow. For me, it was important to make a clean break and to identity what was important to mebeforeI left the military. Were the bran muffin of journalism. Michael Bays treatment of the attacks on American diplomatic outposts in Benghazi in 2012 is alternately gripping and infuriating, a tense (and intense) account of six contractors desperate effort to survive in the face of overwhelming odds in the field and underwhelming support at home. Our work isn't possible without your support. Hating him would be like hating a robot or ahologram. They were ready for battlejocked up, they call itwithin minutes. Officially, it was a special mission compound. The CIA annex was a mile away, and was even less official. On the other hand, did we really want to see a political movie byMichael Bay? He likes to spruce up his coffee with honey and cream and makes mistakes like we all do. ABCNews.com -- A member of the Navy SEAL elite parachute team the Leap Frogs was killed in a parachuting accident during Fleet Week today in Jersey City, New The site's consensus reads, "13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi is a comparatively mature and restrained effort from Michael Bay, albeit one that can't quite boast the impact its fact-based story deserves. Were run by a church, but were not only for church members and were not about converting people. Mom Chooses Life on an Abortionist's Table, Finally Meets Her Grateful Son 2 Decades Later and the Tears Flow, 'The Chosen' Creators Announce Season 3 Finale to Premiere in Theaters Nationwide - The Reaction Is Stunning, Viral Video: Mall Security Guard Tells Man Wearing 'Jesus Saves' T-Shirt 'Take It Off Or Leave', 'All Glory to GOD!' Four Americans, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, Winchester native and former Navy SEAL Glen Doherty, and two others lost their lives. Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. Toby Stephens was a good friend of the real-life Jack Silva. Everybody knows a guy, says Mitchell Zuckoff, a journalism professor at Boston University and author of the bestselling book upon which the movie is based. Please check your information and try again or call us at 1-800-759-0700. They feel abandoned and betrayedand we experience that lack of loyalty right alongside them. WATCH: Joe Biden's Senior Moment of the Week (Vol. [49] Like Roeper's review, New York Daily News' Joe Dziemianowicz was less receptive toward the script, but applauded the film's focus on the real-life attack, summarizing: "War is gritty here, not glamorous [Michael Bay] delivers a gripping, harrowing, and heartfelt film. Where can people find and interact with you? That foundation, I was lucky to have that instilled in me from my parents from birth," Geist told CBN News. [37] However, The Hollywood Reporter noted that the film could outperform expectations if it was buoyed by waves of patriotism. One thing Ill share from Steven Pressfield is that he said Hey, you never hear of a trucker getting truckers block. Writers block does not exist you just have to go do it.. But that doesn't make his latest any less callously juvenile. Director Michael Bay's new movie, "13 Hours," tells the story of the attack on the US diplomatic compound in Libya and the mayhem that ensued. Sign up to get exclusive content, private Q&As, ideas, and more delivered to your inbox every Monday morning. Krasinski plays Jack Silva (a pseudonym used because the person hes based on chooses not to be publicly identified), a muscular But you know what? WebList [ edit] Matthew Axelson Member of SEAL Delivery Team One, killed in action during Operation Red Wings. The questions plaguing James Reece on his journey are similar to those facing men and women leaving the military. Read my new book,The Pursuit Of Excellence See why Patrick Lencioni said this book is an absolute must-read if you care to live an excellent life., FORBES recently called WELCOME TO MANAGEMENT, the best leadership book of 2020., Be part of Mindful Monday Text Hawk to 66866, Episode 078:Kat Cole From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon, Episode 216: Jim Collins How To Go From Good To Great, Episode #300: AJ & Keith Hawk How To Instill Work Ethic & Curiosity In Your Children, Episode #303: General Stanley McChrystal The New Definition Of Leadership, You cant help what you were born and you may not have much to say about where you die, but you can and you should try to pass the days in between as a good man.. I noticed the government redacted certain portions of. I wanted him to be someone youd want to grab a beer with but who could then flip a switch and apply his training, drive, focus, skillset, and combat experience to a problem set. June 28, 2021 I get a lot of questions about the gear and weapons from the books, so the website allows the more gear-centric readers to deep dive into some of what I used in the SEAL Teams and other gear that I use today in my post-military life. [17] On March 5, 2015, THR reported that Dominic Fumusa also signed on, to play John "Tig" Tiegen, one of the members of the security team, who is also a former Marine with weapons expertise. Meanwhile, Silva speaks with his wife and tells her that he is finally coming home; however, he tearfully admits that Woods didn't make it and isn't coming home. It is, we are told, one of the most dangerous cities in the world. improve functionality and performance. Less than a mile away is a top secret CIA base, "the Annex," which is protected by a team of private military contractors from Global Response Staff (GRS). log out. By itself, that couldve been a conversation killer. Tripoli, in the west, is wealthier and more modernized, while Benghazi in the east is more tribal and religious. These other guys were a little reluctant. After the traumatic events of the first novel, can he learn to live again? Ive been in training for this my entire life even though I didnt consciously recognize it at the time. If he did a heroic action up there, that's the guy who needs to be up there, not someone else because you're trying to develop a relationship between characters. Novels and movies about revenge always resonated with me, so thats where I wanted to start my writing journey and the journey of my protagonist, James Reece. I get asked this question quite frequently and my answer is always the same; I have no idea. And, as one thinks Bay may have realized, its the least bombastic shots that tend to be the most powerful in this film. Its something to keep in mind the next time someone who knows a guy wants to put his own spin on the story. Tanto: To protect CIA personnel and assets, low-profile clandestine protection. [51], 2016 biographical action-thriller film directed by Michael Bay, "13 Hours (film)" redirects here. The weapons and tactics have to be spot on. If the truth of it affects someone's political career? It is tentatively set for release in 2022. Much like SEAL training, I didnt spend time thinking about how difficult it is to get published. Three are ex-Marines, and the sixth served as an Army ranger. Tanto: I spilled my guts to Mitch. In no small measure, it is due to the word of mouth recommendations of readers. Looking at it now, I think it added a level of authenticity to the story. We believe news can and should expand a sense of identity and possibility beyond narrow conventional expectations. Everything, including family, took a back seat to doing everything I possibly could to enable me to make the best decisions possible under fire. Zuckoff wrote 13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi with the surviving members of the six-man security team that tried to rescue Ambassador Christopher Stevens, who died that night along with State Department computer specialist Sean Smith and two others. This included screening the film for key Republican Party figures in order to generate endorsement quotations. A selection of the most viewed stories this week on the Monitor's website. The Monitor is a peculiar little publication thats hard for the world to figure out. We change lives. I have those conversations all the time.. Specifically, Jason Silva is a retired Navy SEAL who served for 27 years in the United States Navy. The real-life CIA chief stated that there was no stand-down order, but multiple sources who were willing to identify themselves have refuted the still-unnamed CIA chief. Shots linger, camera swoops are slower and less pronounced. [27], Unusual for a major American film, the film was given only a limited release in Canada during its American wide opening weekend, playing in select theatres in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa. [57] However, Greg P. Russell (one of the four nominees from the film) had his nomination rescinded when it was discovered that he had contacted voters for the award by telephone in violation of campaigning regulations. "[8] Lindsey Bahr of the Associated Press was critical of the film's direction and cinematography, and found the screenplay to be confusing. Your life changes. A couple weeks into my second deployment was Sept 11th2001. [39], 13 Hours received mixed reviews from critics, though some viewed it as a welcomed tame effort from Michael Bay. 9. subscription. The Tripoli GRS reinforcements arrive and begin to prepare the CIA and DSS staff for their departure to the airport. Sure they're paid; we're all paid for our work. The circus is going to leave town at some point, and we want to make sure these guys don't end up with a shovel of elephant dung. [51], The film caused controversy in Libya. Combined, there were fewer than 30 Americans in the compounds the night of the attacks. I dont quite go along with this assessment. , with Anton Fuqua directing the first episode. They're trying to use it for political gain. My academic study of the enemy, tactics, lessons learned, terrorism and insurgencies, along with time in combat, now informs my novels. Let's just make sure it never happens again. I didnt practice writing or think about storylines while I was in the SEAL Teams until I returned from my last deployment and made the decision to get out. We came across Jack Carr and we asked if we could have a photo with him. What they choose to do with it, that's up to them. John Krasinski as Jack Silva, newest member of the team and former US Navy SEAL While observers have been right to note that this is not a partisan film (we never see Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama) that does not necessarily mean it is entirely apolitical or non-ideological. Select stories from the Monitor that empower and uplift. And all three say they would risk their lives again to save others. The book is called 13 Hours and the movie is two hours.. [8][9], The film received an Oscar nomination for Best Sound Mixing at the 89th Academy Awards.[10]. About a year ago, I happened upon this statement about the Monitor in the Harvard Business Review under the charming heading of do things that dont interest you: Many things that end up being meaningful, writes social scientist Joseph Grenny, have come from conference workshops, articles, or online videos that began as a chore and ended with an insight. Things we didn't like were fixed to our liking. ), And then they were held up at the annex for 20 minutes, under orders from the CIA station chief, whom Zuckoff identifies only as Bob.. A lot of places we go, we're living in the neighborhood. I always knew that one day Id join the ranks of the authors I loved reading during those formative years, but the military had to come first. As the book makes clear, there were no U.S. forces anywhere close to Benghazi that night, a fact verified by countless hearings and investigations over the past three years. New to the detail is former US Navy SEAL Jack Silva, who arrives in Benghazi and is picked up by fellow former US Navy SEAL Tyrone "Rone" Woods, the commander of the GRS team and a personal friend of Silva. I had no social media presence and didnt have a background in politics, sports, or business. Tanto: We want people to know the truth. But does it? Four Americans, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, Winchester native and former Navy SEAL Glen Doherty, and two others lost their lives. . What they're asked to do in the interest of our country and in the interest of our diplomats, they do it. In the film's most controversial scene, the CIA chief in Benghazi (identified only as "Bob") tells the military contractors there when they seek permission to go defend the embassy to "stand down" and thus denies them permission. Simon & Schuster, Atria Books and Emily Bestler Books took a risk on me as a complete unknown. I was too much in Awe. That was really hard. Over his 20 years in Naval Special Warfare he transitioned from an enlisted SEAL sniper to a junior officer leading assault and sniper teams in Iraq and Afghanistan, to a platoon commander practicing counterinsurgency in the southern Philippines, to commanding a Special Operations Task Unit in the most Iranian influenced section of southern Iraq throughout the tumultuous drawdown of U.S. We got copies of everything before it went to the final draft. There were two compounds. 13 Hours is better than the Transformers movies and Pearl Harborbut, after seeing it, the only question I came away with is, Will this moviehurt Hillary Clinton? To prepare for his role of Jack Silva, John Krasinski dropped from 25% to 8% body fat. Lou Schuler, CSCS, is a National Magazine Award-winning journalist and editorial director of the Personal Trainer Development Center. He completed BUD/s (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) training in 1992 and then The men defied orders to stand down and rushed to defend those being attacked by Islamic jihadists at the American consulate. In the film, actor John Krasinski plays Jack Silva, a former U.S. Navy SEAL who has remained anonymous. The name "SEALs" represents the environments in which they operate: sea, air and land. If it does well, that'll mean people saw it. On February 10, 2014, it was announced that Paramount Pictures was in talks with 3 Arts Entertainment to acquire the film rights to the book 13 Hours, written by Mitchell Zuckoff, with Erwin Stoff to produce. Ambassador Chris Stevens (Matt Letscher) has come to town in order to help win hearts and minds, and the nincompoops in State have set him up in a villa that is totally indefensible from any sort of coordinated attack. I remember thinking, "That didn't happen." [28][29], Paramount specifically marketed the film to conservatives,[30] in a method similar to previous films Lone Survivor and American Sniper, both of which had beaten box office expectations. Q. Without them, Americans would be in danger all over the world. My mom was not a fan, but my dad would sneak me a copy hed pick up at the newsstand on his way home from work, and I spent many a night immersed in war stories from Vietnam, Central America, and Africa. What happened to me happened to my daughter and my wife. He is portrayed by John Krasinski . Jack retired from active duty in 2016 and lives with his wife and three children in Park City, Utah. I love every part of the writing process and feel so fortunate to be doing something I am so passionate about. 11. From 1996 to 2016, I was in the military. Even Krasinski, 36, knows his 13 Hours role as former Navy SEAL Jack Silva is a jolt to the system. So I stayed where I was protecting people and stopping the terrorists at their homeland and not letting them come here. I am not an autograph guy, nor someone who wants to invade anyones privacy. "[45] On Metacritic the film has a score of 48 out of 100, based on 36 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Have you seen other recent war movies, "American Sniper" or "Hurt Locker" or "Zero Dark Thirty"? Even Krasinski, 36, knows his 13 Hours role as former Navy SEAL Jack Silva is a jolt to the system. When people hear that Jim from The Office was cast in this role, they have a certain sense of wondering how thats going to be," Krasinski says. (Laughter). WebThis is a list of notable current and former members of the United States Navy SEALs. During the 42-year dictatorship of Muammar Gaddafi, Benghazi was more isolated, impoverished, and oppressed as well. WATCH this conversation on YouTube. At the time I looked at these two different professions as separate and distinct but now I see them as complementary. Glen Doherty was good friends with Brandon Webb, who was a sniper instructor for the Navy SEALs. Thats why we view every news story through the lens of faith. [14] David Denman signed on to star in the film on March 3, 2015, playing Boon, an elite sniper. ), Im very impressed by the fidelity to the truth, Zuckoff says, while acknowledging that its not a documentary. Feel free to look around Mitch: When all is said and done, these guys are still going to be the heroes of Benghazi. Later I discovered the legendary Stephen Hunter and devoured everything hed ever written. Back in the 80s there was not much written about SEALs or special operations in general, so a lot of my information came from fictional novels with characters who had backgrounds I wanted to have in real life when I got older. Forces. Im not a fan of apolitical political movies, in part because its a shamposition: To be apolitical about a subject like Benghazi is indeed to bepolitical. While a wounded Geist and Ubben are being tended to, Delta Force operatives dispose of Woods' body, angering Silva. Already a subscriber? There is none. Jack Carr is a former Navy SEAL sniper and author ofThe Terminal ListandTrue Believer. Those words were used verbatim100 percent. I grew up with the idea of him as a hero and knew I would one day follow in his footsteps and join the military. A consummate bureaucrat, Bob simply wants the SEALS and Rangers and other former military men under his command to avoid trouble. Over his 20 years in Naval Special Warfare he transitioned from an enlisted SEAL sniper to a junior officer leading assault and sniper teams in Iraq and Afghanistan, to a platoon commander practicing counterinsurgency in the southern Philippines, to commanding a Special Operations Task Unit in the most Iranian influenced section of southern Iraq throughout the tumultuous drawdown of U.S. I think it's a good movie because it showed something most war movies don't, and that's what happens back home. As a SEAL, I aggressively solved problems on the battlefield. Michael got mad because it was going to cost another $100,000 to fix it. Forces. To write the book, Zuckoff a former Boston Globe reporter who now teaches journalism at Boston University interviewed five of the private security contractors who defended the compound during the attack. Months after the attack, they had stuck together and watched the word "Benghazi" become almost a political epithet and they decided they wanted to tell the story. He is very good with the gun, but he struggles in other areas he isnt as familiar with, like surveillance. Episode #508: Richard Reeves How To Be A Great Role Model, The Secret To A Fulfilling Career, And Why The Modern Male Is Struggling & What To Do About It, Episode #507: Jesse Cole How To Build Your Idea Muscle, Create Unforgettable Experiences, & Earn Fans For Life, Episode #506: Buzz Williams The 9 Daily Disciplines, Constant Improvement, Loving The Process, & Being on Team Bus One, Episode #281: George Raveling Eight Decades Of Wisdom: From Dr. Martin Luther King To Michael Jordan, Episode 216: Jim Collins How To Go From Good To Great, Episode 207: Liz Wiseman How A Rookie Can Become A Multiplier, Episode 078: Kat Cole From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon, this book is an absolute must-read if you care to live an excellent life. We went to Army jump school back then, so I went to Fort Benning for static line immediately after I checked in. While in the Teams Id escape into the pages of novels by the late great Vince Flynn, Daniel Silva, Brad Thor, and more recently, Mark Greaney. What happened next is ready-made for an action movie: The six operators disobeyed Bobs orders and raced to the compound to rescue their fellow Americans. Meanwhile, the GRS team fends off the militants as they try to breach the Annex perimeter. Jack Carr is a former Navy SEAL sniper and author of The Terminal Listand True Believer. As I noted at the Washington Post, this is a film that will likely trigger the 'loyalty/betrayal" dimension of Jonathan Haidts Moral Foundations Theorya foundation tied to patriotism and camaraderie that is valued far more by conservatives and Republicans than liberals and Democrats. The three most recent Christian Science articles with a spiritual perspective. Q. "I love the job," Geist said. . Q. There were a lot of different ways to support their families. You can sign up for my newsletter on my website, officialjackcarr.com, to stay up to date with what Im reading, what gear and guns Im using, and whats next in my writing journey. From left: John Tig Tiegen, Kris Tanto Paronto, and Mark Oz Geist were interviewed for the book 13 Hours by Mitchell Zuckoff (right). WebJack Silva is a fictional character appearing in the 2016 film 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, from which he serves as the protagonist.