Point Man

I read this book in its hardcover edition, when it first came out in 1993. At that time I was a "Rogue Warrior" buff and thats how I first heard of the legendary Jim Watson. I first learned of his book from Watson himself when briefly talking to him on the phone at the UDT/SEAL museum at Fort Pierce, FL in late 92 or early 93. I eagerly awaited this book to come out, then special ordered it from the local book store (this was before the Internet).
I found "Point Man" an interesting book, full of action but I could see how it would only be interesting if you are a SEAL fan. To someone who is not into the SEALs or SOF, it would probably be really boring. I found Watson's descriptions of the "original east coast SEALs" in the early to mid sixties interesting. What an interesting subculture of the Navy.
I knew that the east coast SEALs trained regularly in Tidewater, Virginia's Great Dismal Swamp. But until I read Watson's book I had no idea the SEALs of his era trained in the swamps of the Black River in Southeastern, NC. While the Uwharrie mountains of central NC were the training grounds for the sixties era Green Berets, the Great Dismal Swamp and Black River era of North Carolina were the riverine training grounds for the east coast Vietnam era SEALs
Full of little stories about the original east coast SEALs, it truly illustrates the laid back confidence, devil may care, "Marlboro man" mentality of the Vietnam era SEALs. Watson was in SOF long before it was popular, in fact he was in it when SOF was actually unpopular.
Watson describes many of the unique SEAL schools he attended. Among the self described hardest was the USMC's SERE or "escape and evasion" school. Watson, along with other original sixties era SEALs, were placed in a simulated Asian communist POW camp at the Marine Corp's mountain warfare school in the Sierra Nevada mountains of CA. There, he underwent some seriously evil training that probably could have been described as flat out sadistic. Back in those days, the Marines were the toughest hombres in the US military and corporal punishment was still legal in the Marines. Physical and psychological abuse in the USMC was rampant in those days and from his comments, Watson obviously didnt care for it.
The only thing that I didnt like was how Watson obviously is actually proud of his alcoholism. He has this in common with Richard Marcinko. The book is peppered with little stories and comments about booze. Alcoholism doesnt impress me. I would have left out most of the stories about booze.
I actually met Jim Watson a year after reading his book. While visiting the UDT/SEAL museum in Fort Pierce, FL in 1994 he was there as curator. I got to shake his hand and got his autograph. He tried to sell me a copy of his book, but I told him I had already read his book.
All in all a great story of the original east coast Navy SEALs, from the plankowner days of the early sixties to the end of Vietnam in the early seventies.

For fans of military stories, this would be a great addition to your library. Chief Watson, who was first made known through Richard Marcinko's Rogue Warrior book now speaks of his experiences in the military, spanning 30 years of service in the Navy. He vividly recounts dangerous operations and battle stories in the jungles of Vietnam that were routine to his group of Seals. For fans of the Rogue Warror series, he gives his personal prospective of serving under or for Mr. Marcinko, a perspective that you can tell is rooted in respect. No real surprises here for fans of military reading, just great stories, colorful characters and knowledge that America is lucky to have guys like this defending our country.

An excellent book. It encompasses 30 years of experience, information about assignments, and survival in combat missions that ordinary people never know. Military operations require unique skills, if you are interested in learning what those skills are, then read this book.

This book was an ok read, but It read too much like a novel. I don't think anybody can recall that many details. I was there and I sure can't.

Thank you

Great book

Great book by someone that was there.

Excellent book. I couldn't put it down.

Great read if you are Viet Nam Era vet.

Such men as Chief Watson are GIANTS AMONG US.
Very few names deserve to be mentioned on the same page, however one name would be Chris Kyle.
In the pages of history, another name stands out as a possible equal worthy, and that that would be King Leonidas of Sparta.