Level Zero Heroes: The Story of U.S. Marine Special Operations in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan

LEVEL ZERO HEROES is one of but a handful of first account books of combat in Iraq & Afghanistan I've read to date. Generally, I prefer to wait for time to pass and history to sort out the actual details. But what I'm finding is that, given the nature of communication in the current age, authors are able to compile information and accurately recreate events much faster and often with greater detail than in past conflicts. And Michael Golembesky's memoir is a perfect example of just that. As a chronicle of combat in the hinterlands of Afghanistan, Golembesky gives us insight into the daily lives of his MARSOC (Marine Special Operations Command) unit (i.e. Force Recon Marines), their interaction among themselves, Afghan National Police (ANP) and Afghan National Army (ANA) personnel stationed alongside, as well as the US Army's 82nd Airborne and local dignitaries - and, of course, the ever present Taliban. In doing so, we're made privy to the bonds formed in battle (and the bitterness). The bonds with his brothers in arms, the bitterness toward the local dignitaries (whose loyalty I a always in question), as well as the overall Battalion Commander (an 82nd Airborne Colonel). The Battalion Commander because he all too often seems preoccupied with "cooperating" with the locals at the expense - and sometimes the safety - of those under his command. Coupled with the insane Rules of Engagement and you have a very sound picture of the way our nation fights it's wars these days - and perhaps why we're still fighting there 13 years later. But what stands out above all else is Golebesky's (or Ski's) forthright manner in telling the story. He pulls no punches. Makes no excuses. And fumes right along with the reader at the insanity of it all. In fact, I've heard LEVEL ZERO HEROES described as this generation's CATCH-22. Not certain I'd go that far - but it does skirt around the edges of getting there. Only because of Ski's brutal honesty. Anyone whose served in the Middle East recently, or been in combat the past 50 years or more can relate - and anyone who's ever been a Force Recon Marine will relate VERY well. I know I did. And Ski's job as a Joint Tactical Air Controller (JTAC), who calls in bombing runs on enemy positions, is a particularly dicey one. Placing him in everyone's bullseye. His fellow Marines depend in him for assistance, his Battalion Commander 2nd guesses his every move, and JAG lawyers abound awaiting his mistakes. The writing, though, flows easily. Almost stream of consciousness. The tense moments, be they battle scenes or in-rank politics ;often the same) are quite tense - but reassuring. No horrific bloody scenes are bared to scare the young ones, though the ferocity of combat is not lost on the reader either. All in all a first rate memoir.

The Marine Raiders (formerly known as the Marine Special Operations Regiment) are the newest addition to SOCOM. The Marine Corps finally saw the error of their ways in deciding not to join SOCOM at its inception in 1987, and with the success of Marine Corps SOCOM Detachment I, the Force Reconnaissance community was converted into the Raider community.Michael Golembesky breaks fresh ground in showing the outside world an inside look at the Marine Raiders through LEVEL ZERO HEROES, which discusses a deployment to the deadly Bala Murghab region of Afghanistan, near the Turkmenistan border, where Taliban forces would rest for the winter and acquire new skills to use against Coalition forces.Golembesky is no stranger to breaking new ground, being one of a new generation of enlisted Marines qualified as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller. This skill comes into play in the narrative quickly, as Golembesky is required to stay up for days on end, monitoring the JTAC frequencies and running air support for the Marines and the 82nd Airborne troops in the AO.It's also a raw read. Golembesky does not hold back on his opinions on General McChrystal's rules of engagement, or his thoughts on battalion commander Professional 6 electing to schmooze with the enemy rather than wage war effectively. One particular incident near the end of the book is guaranteed to enrage any person who has served downrange and who has been hamstrung by overly restrictive rules of engagement.If you're looking for what goes into creating a Marine Raider, this is not the book you are looking for, as the Raider Pipeline was not established at the time of writing and Golembesky was directly assigned to the unit due to his JTAC skills (which is a point of contention for the other Raiders, who were all veterans of the Reconnaissance Pipeline).However, if you are looking for what kind of man it takes to be a Marine Raider, the end result of the training and screening, this is definitely the book for you. Also, if you are looking to see what kind of difficulties our troops encountered in current-generation warfare, this is a must-read.Level Zero Heroes is gritty, raw, and without frills. It's a book befitting its special operations veteran author. Highly recommended.

This is a story of Marine Special Forces ( MARSOC) at an outpost in a secluded Afghanistan valley. It basically details their arrival and their first key battle to control the valley they were located in. It's quickly apparent that fighting the Taliban in these circumstances are much different than other military actions that the U.S. has been involved in. Between almost impossible Rules Of Engagement, possible Taliban leaders or sympathizers on the base and in the command area you have to wonder how the brave warriors of our various branches were ever successful. They achieved their success through great training, teamwork, and being able to depend on their fellow team members if no one else. An eye opening book that leaves you scratching your head over the BS our Soldiers, Marines, and Sailors had to deal with and pride for everything these brave warriors still accomplished.

Enjoyed this book. Ive always read modern military books from the British viewpoint. Was good to see it from the viewpoint of our friends across the water. Scary stuff. Warts an' all

A Great book. I had this on audible. The writer knows exactly how to write to put you right there with him and his team. The futility of being constrained by rules and inept higher Commanders seperated from the trials of close combat is easy to see and the writer pull no punches when laying blame where it is rightly needed.The Narrator for this book was a brilliant choice as he really brings the story to life with his use of his voice in brining the story to life.

A well written, educated account from American SOF, capturing combat in it's essence, whilst dealing with the frustration that coalition troops face when operating under newly revised ROE's.

I have read many accounts of modern warfare over recent years; this is my favorite of all of them. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to gain an insight into the "real" war in Afghanistan.The book is well written, with a good balance between the technical detail of modern warfare and the very personal thoughts and feelings of the soldiers. This book lays bare the facts about fighting in Afghanistan and the impact it has on individuals and teams.

Brilliant gutsy book written by someone who wanted the reader to know how hamstrung the troops were in Afganistan. I'm was amazed by the pre-conditions of combat these troops were fighting under. I could not put this book down a.nd I will certainly be reading it again.

One of the best books I've read, interesting, funny, sad but ultimately just a great book

boyfriend liked

Very good

Great books the pair of them (dagger 22 the other).

Great read, really take you in to the weeds!

Superb reading

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Das Buch ist für all diejenigen zu empfehlen, die sich für Infanterie Einsätze interessieren und denen das Thema Afghanistan noch nicht zu 'abgegriffen' ist. Es schildert eindrucksvoll die Perspektive eines US Soldaten, der mit seinem Team in einer der heißeren Regionen Afghanistans eingesetzt war. Golembesky eröffnet Blicke hinter die Kulissen der US amerikanischen Führung und kritisiert schonungslos falsche Entscheidungen.Das Buch räumt ferner mit dem Mythos der einigen afghanischen Bevölkerung auf und schildert die unterschiedlichen Interessen der Menschen in dem Land.

I found the story compelling and well written. Kept politics out of the account while still relaying what appear to me to be the very reasonable concerns of the front line soldier with politically constrained rules of engagement. Well worth the read and highly recommended.

I have served in the same area only a few months after the author so I was really keen to read this book. After finishing it, I can confirm that is is very accurate and provides an interesting point of view on the ambiguities encountered during the Afghan conflict. A must read for all the contemporary military history enthusiasts.