Are Navy SEALs like Chris Kyle a bunch of psychopaths?

[green73]

Laurence M. Vance:

From someone who read my post, “Newt Gingrich Reminds Us Why We Loathe Him”:

You state that “he killed for his bloated ego, not to defend the United States.” I actually think it is easier than that.
I spent six years as a Naval Special Warfare Intelligence Analyst. “Special Warfare” here being an euphemism for SEAL. No, I wasn’t a SEAL, but, as the “job” title implies, I supported these whack jobs. I am also currently writing my dissertation in Depth Psychology and the deleterious effects of war on the human soul. I mention the above two snippets of history only to support what I am going to say next.

The sad reality is that most of the special operations types are psychopaths, or “sociopaths” (because we wouldn’t want to offend the delicate little flowers by “negative labels”) in the clinical sense of the word. You are right…most of them really enjoy killing…more so, they love the “juice” of being in combat, of sneaking around doing dangerous things, manipulating people, etc. etc. I have a friend who is an NCIS agent…he tells me it is a full-time job keeping tabs on these jokers and bailing them out of trouble in the civilian towns around the bases… I guess what I’m saying is that it’s not a bloated ego that they are killing for…it is just fun (for them) to remorselessly manipulate, torture and kill for its own sake.

Posted with permission.

[acptulsa]

I don't think it's a requirement to get the job. But I'm sure it helps.

[wizardwatson]

There is nothing special or honorable or dignified about being a soldier (first test is to see how many would do the job with only food and shelter as payment). And to love the violence and power that comes with that job is dishonorable and evil. There is a time and place for war, but there is also a proper manner and mindset by which one should go about it.

Tao Te Ching verse 31

Weapons are the tools of violence;
all decent men detest them.

Weapons are the tools of fear;
a decent man will avoid them
except in the direst necessity
and, if compelled, will use them
only with the utmost restraint.
Peace is his highest value.
If the peace has been shattered,
how can he be content?
His enemies are not demons,
but human beings like himself.
He doesn't wish them personal harm.
Nor does he rejoice in victory.
How could he rejoice in victory
and delight in the slaughter of men?

He enters a battle gravely,
with sorrow and with great compassion,
as if he were attending a funeral.

The proper use of force and violence is high art. Men who use it ignorantly or to gain power only harm themselves.

[brushfire]

War creates several kinds of people. It definitely returns the mind of many to a primal state, and men do some unimaginable things to each-other.

http://www.amazon.com/With-Old-Breed.../dp/0891419195

[LibertyEagle]

Isn't Ventura a Navy Seal?

[wizardwatson]

Isn't Ventura a Navy Seal?

No, he's a pet detective.

[Dr.3D]

No, he's a pet detective.

More like an Easter seal.

[Suzanimal]

I would say yes.

[jmdrake]

Isn't Ventura a Navy Seal?

Well when the Chris Kyle punching Ventura story broke there were some people here claiming Ventura wasn't a SEAL because the term "SEAL" wasn't used yet. Regardless, I suppose those who were cheering on Chris Kyle for supposedly punching Ventura are a wee bit embarrassed now that Chris Kyle has been proven to be a liar and/or a psychopathic killer. I say "and/or" because if the story Chris Kyle told about shooting 30 looters is true then he should have been charged with murder. But all of the facts seem to indicate that he was lying once again. I really feel sorry for him.

[enhanced_deficit]

Lets wait till all the facts come out.

[roho76]

Yes. At least most military member are there for a paycheck and something to do. These guys enjoy killing. That's why they sit in the position they do in the first place.

[vita3]

I know a couple of Seals who are good guys, but certainly more "aggressive" than your average man.

[XNavyNuke]

First off, the "anonymous" emailer to Mr Vance OpSec sucks. Enough information in there that it took just a couple of minutes with the right search terms to ID and locate "him". If you want to be anonymous don't email Mr Vance to become click-hitter bait.

As psychopathic-killer-sniper-soldiers go, this one was a shadow of historical ones. Take Timothy Murphy, Native American exterminationist (formerly known as frontiersman) and killer of both Sir Francis Clerke and General Fraiser at the Battle of Saratoga using very foul and thoroughly un-British methods.

Life and Adventures of Timothy Murphy

In a hundred years no one will remember a specific encounter in one of the many clashes in Asia Minor, let alone those individuals who fought in them.

XNN

[FloralScent]

I know a couple of Seals who are good guys, but certainly more "aggressive" than your average man.

A real war would humble them a bit. The United States hasn't seen one in 60 years.

[FloralScent]

...

[DamianTV]

Being a psychopath has nothing to do with being a Navy SEAL.

I've known a number of Navy SEAL members. I was stationed in Coronado, a few miles north of the SEAL Training Facility, so they used to come to our bars on North Island (Coronado) to drink all the time. Their egos were astoundingly huge, but their hearts were even bigger. They arent the Psychopaths that worry me. The ones that do are the ones that are willing to ruin the entire world for their financial gain, and they hide the immorality of their own actions through heavy rationalizations and layer upon layer of pathology to the point these true monsters actually think they are doing something good for the world by blowing it all up.

[tod evans]

Damian hit it and I'm repless.....

[vita3]

Agree with Damien about their big hearts & ego's.

I guess this thread is supposed to sh$t on Seals, but I don't feel that way @ all.

[Inkblots]

Men who use it ignorantly or to gain power only harm themselves.

Would that this were true...

[wizardwatson]

Would that this were true...

Speaking spiritually.

[DamianTV]

[Todd]

I don't agree with the OP.

but here's food for thought. Think about the training that one has to go through and complete to become a SEAL. Why do you think they have around 90% dropout rate? You have to be someone capable of completely closing off your emotion and endure extreme situations of physical and emotional endurance for very long periods of time. Often without sleep, food, warmth.....all while people are telling you to quit and beating you down verbally. This goes on for roughly 1/2 a calender year.

You have to be changed somewhat from that and if you did border on psycopathy, you just took another step in being able to turn it all off

[thoughtomator]

Anyone who would kill on the order of a politician has at least one major screw loose. I once viewed military service as honorable, but in any recent war, under any recent President, I don't see how there can be anything honorable at all about it. Killing the wrong people for the wrong reasons, there's no honor in that at all, no matter who much pomp and ceremony it may be festooned with.

[BV2]

Yeah, I don't think so. Who doesn't love sneaking around doing dangerous stuff? I mean, doesn't always involve killing people. Chris Kyle comes off like a psychopath in his book, so I suppose all people like him are psychopaths regardless of what they do. A large portion of this rests in individual motivation. But I still believe what Tolstoy said about war was true. Imagine their potential as tools of marque and reprisal, which is certainly not how they are used today (but how are they used today?)