Class-29: The Making of U.S. Navy SEALs [Mass Market Paperback]

John Carl Roat (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 29, 2000

"Throughout training I kept having the thought,
WELL, ALL THEY CAN DO IS KILL ME.
It seemed to help."        

SEALs are the world's toughest soldiers. Working in squads and platoons that make up SEAL teams, they are trained in everything from underwater demolition to high-altitude parachute drops. Now John Carl Roat, graduate of Class-29, one of the earliest SEAL training classes, has written the only book devoted to the training of that exclusive warrior force. With unflinching honesty, Roat describes the brutal six-month program that took young men well beyond the endurance limits even of gifted athletes and created warriors who could proudly take their places in the teams. It was a program so demanding that by the end of Hell Week, the third week of the course, the original class of one hundred and thirty-four physically fit young men had been sliced to sixty-two.

After retelling his own class's experience, Roat visits today's SEAL program and reveals how the program has changed over the last thirty-five years to include more classroom training and better and more sophisticated equipment-- without at all lowering the physical demands. SEAL training is still the best, and the toughest, training in the world.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"Throughout training I kept having the thought,
WELL, ALL THEY CAN DO IS KILL ME.
It seemed to help."        

SEALs are the world's toughest soldiers. Working in squads and platoons that make up SEAL teams, they are trained in everything from underwater demolition to high-altitude parachute drops. Now John Carl Roat, graduate of Class-29, one of the earliest SEAL training classes, has written the only book devoted to the training of that exclusive warrior force. With unflinching honesty, Roat describes the brutal six-month program that took young men well beyond the endurance limits even of gifted athletes and created warriors who could proudly take their places in the teams. It was a program so demanding that by the end of Hell Week, the third week of the course, the original class of one hundred and thirty-four physically fit young men had been sliced to sixty-two.

After retelling his own class's experience, Roat visits today's SEAL program and reveals how the program has changed over the last thirty-five years to include more classroom training and better and more sophisticated equipment-- without at all lowering the physical demands. SEAL training is still the best, and the toughest, training in the world.

About the Author

John Carl Roat was born in 1942 in Flint, Michigan. In January 1963, he started Underwater Demolition Team replacement training with Class-29. After completing training, John served with UDT-21, UDT-11, and SEAL Team-1. In 1965, John married the former Judith Jo Younger. They have two sons, four grandchildren, and thirty-five years of marriage. Since leaving the navy in 1969, John has made his living as a commercial diver, diving supervisor, and diving consultant. CLASS-29 is his first book, and he is writing a sequel.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; Ballentine ed edition (February 29, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804118930
• ISBN-13: 978-0804118934
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.8 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #483,057 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > World > 20th Century
  • #37 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Military Science
  • #58 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Americas > United States > 20th Century

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SEALS ARE CREATED FROM TRUTH, July 30, 2000

By 

Joseph W. Olt, Jr. (Cortez, Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Class-29: The Making of U.S. Navy SEALs (Mass Market Paperback)

Too many times we have heard the stories of impossible jobs done by incredible men. John Carl Roat's "Class-29" is not the newest story or version of such. Roat's book is the unabashed and almost unbelieveably unbiased truth about the creation of a U.S. Navy SEAL. Roat's ability to write honesty and forthrightly about himself and those members of Class-29, keeps you on the edge of incrediblity as to just how much stamina and drive one can find to keep themselves going.

Most know and understand a Navy SEAL is, at minimum, most celebrated for his ability to face any and all odds and serious adversity and still successfuly complete a nasty, impossible assignment; survive, and be immediately prepared to begin and complete yet another dirty outrageous assignment.

We have all heard and read of the many stories of SEAL valor, courage and various abilities under fire and against any and all odds. But, until now, we did not have the opportunity to understand just how one becomes eligible to be a SEAL, or what testing is necessary to assure a SEAL candidate will be able to give all, take the unpredictable and indeterminate punishment, and still complete almost any and all assignments.

John Carl's book clearly demonstrates basic truth a SEAL must face to become fortunate enough to earn the right to wear the "Trident."

Roat writes in a passioned and understanding way, remarkably remembering clearly, despite his tender age during that time, the obstacles and comraderie experienced by himself and his Class 29 mates. He is able to make the training, testing and truth finding experience come alive, facilitating the reader's ability to understand how a mere man can become a U.S. Navy SEAL and the most highly trained and dangerous warrior in the arsenal of any armed force.

Roat lets the reader see that the SEAL starts with an individual's basic interior framework, and continues to test his strength with the harsh truths from which the SEAL is trained.

John Carl Roat writes from the heart and in truth. I personally vouch for his characterizations of himself and his teammates as although I did not have the honor to serve with John, I had the opportunity and honor to serve with other members of Class-29. I was fortunate and lucky enough to become a member and graduate of Class 40, and serve with Underwater Demolition Team 21.

SEALS are still created from TRUTH.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great job, very descriptive, excellent writing., March 8, 2000

By 

Steven L. Waterman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Class-29: The Making of U.S. Navy SEALs (Mass Market Paperback)

John is an excellent story teller and his description of the pain and cold of UDT Training leaves little to the imagination. His colorful explanations of some of the evolutions of training are blended with personal anecdotes from other trainees. This book is an excellent read. If your interests lie in the history of Naval Special Warfare, The Making of U.S. Navy SEALs should be part of your library.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was there, April 3, 2000

By 

Harry Humphries (Huntington Beach, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Class-29: The Making of U.S. Navy SEALs (Mass Market Paperback)

As a member of class 29, I can only reinforce JR's memories. His outlook and observations are personal, but anyone having been there will agree with his observations. This book is about every class, east and west coast, about the formative period of the most honorable experience a man can have... being accepted as a team member. John has captured the true spirit of training, the humor, the pain, the brotherhood. This book is for everyone, you'll enjoy the ride.