American Badass is my book about mentoring and inspiring others to "Be all they can be." It's not about being a tough guy; but rather it's about being a good citizen, American, patriot, father, husband, and warrior. It is, as I jokingly say, about being a "Goodass!" I use my life stories as mediums to compel others to break paradigms that limit their potential and through self-actualization reach new levels of success. My book is not all about me as it is as much about you.If you're looking to read a book because you are only interested in comparing the author's literary style to other books then this book is not for you. If you are interested in reading a substantive book about the life of a special operations and clandestine services operative that lived in an enigmatic world, then this book is for you. Because of the nature of this book it had to be written with discretion and operational security in mind to avoid compromising secret information and establishing clear attributions to secret organizations and related operations.
I wrote this book on the urging of many friends and associates. In fact, I made my decision to write the book in September 2012 while I was on the set of Stars Earns Stripes, speaking with Chris Kyle, the author of American Sniper. As we discussed his book, he looked at me and said to everyone nearby--"I am waiting to read your book, Dale." It was at that point I decided it was time to write.
I didn't want the book to just be about my combat experiences and me. I wanted to reach out to our young men, young women, fathers, and mothers and tell them a story about successful parenting and what I think it means to succeed on personal merit, hard work, and sacrifice. I decided to use my life experiences as the medium to mentor. I find myself in a country where traditional values are being replaced by a prevailing and metastasizing sense of entitlement, where hard work and personal excellence are no longer the cornerstones for success, where young men and boys have become apathetic and their heroes are virtual characters in video games, where street football is played out on a couch in front of a wide screen TV whilst many look to their left and right and see their fathers, who should be their mentors, life coaches, and leaders, lying on the couch, overweight, or feet propped up in a recliner, beckoning the wife to fetch another beer and bag of chips!
American Badass is a story inspired by my journey from boyhood to manhood, from innocence to a world of extreme violence, from a paltry and humble existence to a life enriched through determination, hard work, sacrifice, and the love of family. It is the story of the road less traveled--of failure and success by a Delta Force operator, a Green Beret, a husband, a father, and...an American.
ADVANCED PRAISE FOR AMERICAN BADASS "It was George Orwell who stated, "People sleep peacefully at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on her behalf." That quote from Orwell adequately describes a true American warrior, Dale Comstock. Dale's book American Badass chronicles the story of a man who has dedicated his entire life to the defense of our freedoms, liberty, and way of life. Dale is truly an exceptional soldier. He is possibly the youngest ever to qualify for the Special Forces Operations Detachment Delta, the premier US counter- terrorism unit. However, it is not just his military accomplishments, but his drive for excellence in every aspect of his life, that put him a cut above the rest. Dale Comstock represents the legacy and lineage of service to America, from his dad who served in Vietnam to his son who now serves. American Badass is the story of something rare--a modern day Spartan." −Allen B. West, former US representative, Lieutenant Colonel (US Army, retired) "The first time I ever met Dale Comstock, I had to fight him. Fortunately, it was for a film sequence, but it was obvious that I was trading blows with the real deal, an authentic warrior, a true badass. I've fought a ton of guys onscreen... stunt guys... ex-military... MMA fighters... but my fight with Dale was by far the most nervous I've ever been. It was like fighting a tree... a scary, killer oak. Even then, it wasn't until I read this book that I came to understand what a genuine AMERICAN BADASS Dale really is. From his patriotic service as Delta Force operator to his commitment as a husband and father, Dale's incredible story represents the very best of what it means to be an American... and a man." − Christian Kane, actor, singer/songwriter "Unlike many books written today by government operators, Comstock's book isn't a guns-a- blazing, kill-everything-in-sight, romanticized-war book. It is a book about character, patriotism, humility, love, and a calling.
"Comstock does an exceptional job revealing the true person he is--cocky, arrogant, fearless, yet caring, humble, loyal, and, most of all, loving. He demonstrates through his writing that he truly is America's warrior--well rounded, tough, and committed to seeing the mission completed, whether it be in combat or on a Hollywood set. In his book Dale makes himself out to be an American Badass, but with good reason--he is one.
"Dale is a highly trained government operator who served in Panama, Iraq, and Afghanistan, along with other unique hot-spots around the globe. Throughout Dale's book, he does something very few have ever done. Sure, he explains what life was like growing up, what life was like making it through the Delta and Special Forces selections, but none of that is what makes Dale's book so brilliant--through his book, Dale made me want to get back into the fight and strive to be a better husband, writer, daddy, and person.
"If I had all the money in the world, I would give a copy ofAmerican Badass to every expecting father, every gangbanger, and surely every soldier, sailor, airman, and Marine. American Badass is a must read!"
− Kerry Patton, a combat-disabled veteran, is author of Contracted: America's Secret Warriors
"When Dale Comstock entered the ranks of Delta Force he was told, "Run the situation, don't let the situation run you." In American Badass, odds- beater Comstock always runs the edges--hair-on-fire and full-throttle--into some of the most unforgiving and jacked-up places in the world. If the US Constitution had a 28th Amendment it would read: If diplomacy fails and war is inevitable, declare it quick, and send Comstock!"
− Dalton Fury, former Delta Force operator and two-time New York Times bestselling author
About the Author
Dale Comstock regularly works as a contract security specialist applying his skills and knowledge on myriad of security challenges around the world for various clients.
Dale retired from the U.S. Army in August of 2001, after serving 5 years in the 3rd Special Forces Group (Green Beret) as the Senior NCO on an A-Team; 10 years with the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta (The Delta Force) as an assault Team Leader and Explosives Expert; he served 4 years with the 82nd Airborne Division as an Airborne Infantryman in a Long Range Reconnaissance Platoon; and he served 9 years with the U.S. Government as a Paramilitary Contractor.
He has a Master of Arts Degree in Business and Organizational Security Management and a Post Graduate Degree in Alternative Medicines and Therapies. Since his retirement he has started several security companies specializing in nuclear, petrochemical, personal, and K-9 security.
Additionally he is a professor for Henley-Putnam University in San Jose, California where he teaches Psychology of Violence, Technical Surveillance, Area Study Analysis, and Special Weapons.
Dale Comstock has studied the Martial Arts for 36 years. He is a 5th degree Black Belt in American Karate and Ju-Jitsu. Some of his achievements include: Professional Boxer; Tough Man Championships; Vale Tudo Championships; PKC Kick-boxing Championships.
In September 2011 Dale was featured on Discovery Channel's "One Man Army," and in August 2012 he was on NBC's Stars Earn Stripes as an operative paired with Terry Crews.
