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Class-29: The Making of U.S. Navy SEALs

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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.

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.

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.

Excellent book, just brilliant! I'm actually the mother of a son who is aspiring to one day become a Seal and John is a fabulous writer. The book just captured my attention and I finished it in less that a week. The only other book that commanded that kind of devotion was Trinity. Class-29 is an excellent read for anyone because it is written so well. You don't have to have a deep interest in the special forces or want to serve in such a capacity to emphasize with what these men go through, and have to eventually admit that yes, they have done so much for those of us who normally don't give them much thought in our lives, or even think it's not needed. In the world we live in, let's hope we have more young men with that fighting spirit, able to endure the hardships that this life brings. In appreciation of a captivating book, and hope you write more and maybe that there are some other Seals out there that can follow in your tradition! Hoo Yaaaah!!!

1. It will make you laugh. 2. It will make you proud. 3. You will enyoy the READ.

I've read other books by authors that either are SEALS or studied them. They seem to either be the autobiographical sort or the "we went there an blew this up". Mr Roat's account falls into the former category but it's unique in that it centers on one of the things that sets SEALs apart from the rest of the Special Operations Community, their training. This book offers the opportunity for the reader to understand part of the mechanism that makes a SEAL what he is. An outstanding book that is a great read.

I have always heard, "SEALs are the toughest of the tough" now I know why. Mr Roat thank you for the up close and very personal look at what it takes to be a SEAL.

Absolutely fantastic book! I have read alot of books on SEALs and this book is the best book you can have if you want to know how SEALs are trained. It goes through each phase and tells what they are about and he felt going through them. SEALs are the toughest men in the US Miltary and one of the toughest groups of men, if not the toughest, in the world and this book tells how they weed out the ones that dont have the "fire in the gut," as he calls it and pick out the ones with the determination and mental toughness to be in the group. It is a fantastic book. If I could get ahold of John Carl Roats email address I would write him a email telling him how much I enjoyed this book. It should be read by anyone with interest in the Navy SEALs.

In the words of Rush Limbaugh, "War is about killing people and breaking things." Personally, I think Rush Limbaugh is a jerk. And I assumed that John Carl Roat's book, CLASS-29: THE MAKING OF U.S. NAVY SEALS would be about training a bunch of 20-something jerks with inflated egos and terminal testosterone poisoning. I was wrong.

The candidates for SEAL training may well have started out that way, but by the time the few survivors had graduated (a minescule percentage of the original applicants) they were very different men indeed.

In an odd sort of way, Roat's CLASS-29 is a love story. We watch as the young trainees learn from their own experience that no matter how tough they think they are, they can only survive with help from the guy beside them. Soon this evolves into a sort of reliance, as they learn that they will only survive as a team; and then into genuine affection and respect. These kids come in all puffed up and clueless, and they come out as men who would lay down their lives for the good of the team, for the survival of their teammates. That they are superbly conditioned fighting machines is secondary - vitally important, but secondary none the less. Now that macho attitude has a vital core of respect and integrity.

It's a wonderful story. Roat spins a good yarn. The physical challenge of the training will make your hair stand on end. That these guys were able to joke in the midst of it is a tribute to their resiliance. That they came out of it imbued with absolute respect for another as well as love of country is a tribute to the training.

John Carl Roat's Class 29 is the only authentic book on the market today that will tell you exactly how SEALs are selected and trained!
As a two tour SEAL instructor, I trained over thirty SEAL classes and supervised 21 SEAL hell weeks. John Roat's observations on the bond developed by the classmates and his accurate description of the infamous SEAL hell week, makes this book a must read! If you want to find the secret to what it takes to become one of the world's greatest warriors - read Class 29! Martin L. Strong, author - Death Before Dawn