All Secure: A Special Operations Soldier's Fight to Survive on the Battlefield and the Homefront

by Tom Satterly, Steve Jackson

One of the most highly regarded Tier One Delta Force operators in American military history shares his war stories and personal battle with PTSD.As a senior non-commissioned officer of Delta Force, the most elite and secretive special operations unit in the U.S. military, Command Sergeant Major Tom Satterly fought some of this country's most fearsome enemies. Over the course of twenty years and thousands of missions, he's fought desperately for his life, rescued hostages, killed and captured terrorist leaders, and seen his friends maimed and killed around him. All Secure is in part Tom's journey into a world so dark and dangerous that most Americans can't contemplate its existence. It recounts what it is like to be on the front lines with one of America's most highly trained warriors. As action-packed as any fiction thriller, All Secure is an insider's view of "The Unit." Tom is a legend even among other Tier One special operators. Yet the enemy that cost him three marriages, and ruined his health physically and psychologically, existed in his brain. It nearly led him to kill himself in 2014; but for the lifeline thrown to him by an extraordinary woman it might have ended there. Instead, they took on Satterly's most important mission-saving the lives of his brothers and sisters in arms who are killing themselves at a rate of more than twenty a day. Told through Satterly's firsthand experiences, it also weaves in the reasons-the bloodshed, the deaths, the intense moments of sheer terror, the survivor's guilt, depression, and substance abuse-for his career-long battle against the most insidious enemy of Post Traumatic Stress. With the help of his wife, he learned that by admitting his weaknesses and faults he sets an example for other combat veterans struggling to come home.

Genres: Military Fiction, Biography, War, Memoir, Nonfiction, Military History, Audiobook

321 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 5, 2019

Reviews

[Jerome Otte · Rating 4 out of 5]

A raw, well-written, and profound memoir.

Satterly does a great job showing the human dimension of his struggles and how they affected his friends and loved ones, his psyche, and his health. Satterly’s account of his combat experiences is gritty and visceral, and the human toll of it makes up most of the book. It’s often hard for outsiders to understand, but Satterly ably describes how everybody is vulnerable to what he struggled with. A lot of the book is less about Satterly’s career than the process of what he went through, and his struggles with PTSD, alcoholism, suicidal thoughts, and relationships.

The narrative is vivid, compelling and engaging and holds your attention throughout, and really immerses you in the action and emotion of the moment. His coverage of his own pain and struggles is honest and humble. The sections on Satterly’s own career is pretty interesting, such as the Battle of Mogadishu (since there aren’t many published accounts of it by other Delta operators) and the war in Iraq, where the optempo for special operators was infamously brutal; you often read about that in published accounts, but Satterly really rams home how hard and how constantly they were pushed.

There aren’t many problems with the book, although the narrative can transition roughly at times, and some readers might find the use of flashbacks a little jarring. A few choices seemed strange. Satterly uses pseudonyms (sort of) for people who are already known, and whose names show up in other published accounts and memoirs, even ones that were reviewed for classified information prior to publication, and even though some of them attained higher ranks since. Bill Garrison is called “Bill G.” (even though he is named later in the book), Pete Schoomaker is called “Pete S.,” and Chris Faris is called “Chris F.” Austin Miller is called “Austin M.,” even though just a few paragraphs later Satterly calls him “General Miller.” Bill McRaven is called “Admiral M.,” although Satterly calls him “the chief of the Joint Special Operations higher headquarters,” (he was actually McChrystal’s deputy at JSOC during the period Satterly mentions) Little Birds are sometimes called “AH-60” or “MH-60,” and JSOC is called “Higher Special Operations Headquarters.”

A passionate and emotional work.

[Steve Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi ... excuse the five-starring of this book I co-authored, but I believe it is an important book in regard to the battles our combat veterans face both "over there" and when they return home. Tom's heroic battle with PTS is inspiring and should also cause us all to get our politicians and other leaders to do something about it and the epidemic of suicides among veterans. It also applies to those who suffer from PTS in other walks of life. Tom was so courageous to share his story.

[Maddie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly well written account about Tom’s time in The Unit and life after the military. Our veterans deal with so much we have absolutely no idea about and this book gives you a look into what they deal with and how they handle it. You could see the honesty in how it was written. I’m thankful Tom was able to admit his struggles and that they are doing everything they can for men and women going through the same. Must read for everyone!!

[Steve Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the co-author of this book, forgive the five-star self-review. However, I believe this is an important book from the standpoint of what our combat veterans go through both on the battlefield and when they return home. It's told from the viewpoint of one of the best of the best, a Delta Force member, and his battle with PTS(D) applies to anyone who has experienced trauma. His courage in telling this story still amazes me.

[james young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gives a hard honest look at this great warrior

This book gives a hard honest look of what it takes to be the best of the best and what life is like from an operator's view in the us army's special missions unit.
Tom takes you on a journey through his training to what it takes to be one of the elite. from secret missions to night raids in iraq he has experienced many years of combat and is a true American warrior.

[Todd M Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I’ve read in a longtime.

Tom displayed incredible courage not just in his missions with the Unit but also in dealing with his PTS. This book helped me understand his struggles and also helped me to understand my wife’s struggles as she lives with PTS from Domestic Violence. Such a great story and a great new mission he’s on to save the lives of those coming back from war. Our special operators are human beings and they are NOT sociopaths. They are compassionate, loving Americans who sacrificed for our freedoms. I thank Tom for his service in the military and his continued service to those still struggling with the horrors of war.

[Scott Gregson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story with a real in depth look into what someone goes through and the mindset needed to be a special forces operator. Also the feeling involved both on the front line and the home front looking at both sides of his life. And it really shows how these guys are affected mentally as well regarding ptsd and I really hope his non profit organisation continue to do well and help vets.

[Cristie Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a well written account of Mr. Satterly's time in service and the challenges of coming back home after experiences many of us cannot even imagine. I admire his strength in telling his story, as it will help many other current and former military members.

[Ben Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. While it’s mostly a memoir of his time in Delta Force, Tom Satterly did an amazing job describing a warrior culture, struggling with PTS, and his fight to overcome. I highly recommend this book to other combat veterans, men who have struggled with their past.

[Judy Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a true life tale of a highly trained warrior, a professional killer, the BEST of the best, the military’s brightest stars who survived rigorous training few can endure to make and maintain the cut. The impact of numerous tours has detrimental effects on Tom’s psyche, health, personal life, family and his fellow warriors who are highly trained in war fare but afraid to show weakness or seek help. A Mogadishu warrior (longest battle since Vietnam) and Iraqi veteran with numerous tours, dealing with down fall of Sadam Hussein and the unstable Middle East. The enemy has unscrupulous rules of engagement, its not a surprise Tom, as so many warriors, developer PTS. This is an important read to bring light to how highly skilled these vets are, and their struggle to find normalcy ands self worth in life after tour. After retirement and with the help of a strong woman, a woman who ultimately saves his life, Tom (and Jen) are bringing to light how many vets need help to assimilate into civilian life, find self worth after the tour is over and get/receive help they need . Civilian life may be their toughest battle. A fast read, it captivates you from start to finish.

[Diane Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a [mostly] well-written book although there are some errors which should have been caught before it was published.
I also take exception to the comment "It wasn't a puppy you smack with a rolled up newspaper and it behaves". He is really out of touch if he thinks this is how you train a dog!
At any rate, I gave it the usual Special Ops five star rating for the significant sacrifices made on the battle field and the home front in the service of his country.
I felt the sting of his not receiving the Unit flag when he retired. Ouch.
Tom portrayed himself with honesty not just for his training and participation in sensitive, clandestine operations, but for the a**hole he morphed into as his descent into drugs, alcohol and PTS illness took hold.
Thankfully, he met Jen and after trials and tribulations, they seem to have found their footing with the All Secure Foundation, to help other military personnel and their spouses/families who are suffering from the effects of post-traumatic stress.
I wish them the best with this venture and hope they are happy and healthy going forward.

[Jassim Mohammed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quote:

"I didn’t really put a lot of stock in medals, a whole lot of guys had done as much as I had and didn’t get shit for it, others had done more; given more, their names were on the memorial wall at the Unit’s headquarters, some had received the Purple Heart as their thanks for lost limps, ruined eyes, shattered bones, damaged organs, permanent disfigurement or physical disability. Of course, no one gave medals for the injuries that couldn’t be seen, those weren’t acknowledged. The wounds in our heads showing up as behavioral changes, we didn’t even talk about those or their consequences: multiple divorces, dysfunctional families, DUIs, alcoholism, domestic violence and impulsive risk taking."

[Joe Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful book from a decorated soldier in special operations. It’s a real life account of the Mogadishu battle that spawned the movie BlackHawk Down. Also the events in Iraq were covered about the battle with insurgents. Moreover, the reader gets a glimpse of the stress and hardships, both emotionally and physically, these uniquely trained warriors go through. Even more evidence that we owe our combat vets the help they need after serving to keep us free and protected.

[Darrell Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. Tom and Jen are amazing people that helped me through my issues.

[Tom Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book and view in to the life of a Spec Ops operative. What is special about the book is that Tom goes so deeply in to the mental issues of service, all to often created by the trauma found in war. Not only that, but he explains how it affects relationships, spouses and life after action. It also shows how these men and women are often not seen as exactly that, instead they are seen as pawns, which once they fall over or retire, are no longer valued (to say the least).

Seeing the amount of struggling veterans, it's clear that something is very wrong. Of course trauma is a unavoidable in war, but the fact that servicemen and women can't even talk about it for fear of being dropped from their units is shocking.

I have to say I do not enjoy the mentality that the armed forces imbues on it's members, perhaps it's a necessary evil... a way to see the world in black and white, good and evil, us vs them. It can seem pretty vile at times, but maybe that is how you get the best out of these guys. Sadly it doesn't create healthy people, it creates arrogance and selfishness, which clearly destroys family's and often places them as less important in these men's lives. It's a mess and it's no wonder they struggle to fit back in to normal society with broken bodies and minds. Tom is very open and honest about his own shortcomings and mentality, which I'd say is forged by this line of work.

Great book. 5 Stars.

[Gregory Keeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this gem, by Tom Satterly available via Amazon or if you prefer an autographed copy visit the All Secure Foundation website. Tom & his wife Jen are AMAZING human beings!

Brutally honest, refreshingly candid; one of the best written books of this generation. From the fury of Somalia to the onslaught of post-9/11 operations in Iraq, Tom’s experiences detail the highs, lows and personal stresses of combat operations; the joy and guilt of survival while close friends paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

I personally encourage our nation’s leaders to read Tom's book before voting to go to war, again, with no end state in mind. It’s one thing to cast a vote for war, it’s another to fight a war against an enemy, not only on the battlefield, but to struggle with the consequences of war at home after the fighting is done.

This book tells the story of so many military war veterans and why it’s important to simply listen. If you haven’t experienced war the least you can do is listen. You might learn something...the cost of FREEDOM!

[Matt Kuntz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing and powerful book. An incredible book for anyone interested in the military, special forces, and recent U.S. military history. But the true power of the book is Tom Satterly's journey from a sweet kid from Indiana to the darkness of war. Having his heart broken and then learning to love again in the unflinching arms of his wife Jen. Their All Secure Foundation is built out of that love and is a shining light of hope for veterans and their families.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never received this book as a giveaway

[S.S. Scott | Romance Author and Fiction Story Coach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking yet so raw and honest about physical and psychological combat effects, especially on elite warriors in the US Special Forces.

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Secure by Tom Satterly and Steve Jackson

Tom Satterly, author of “All Secure”, is a highly experienced American soldier that spent the majority of his military career with an elite front-line group of commandos that were shrouded in secrecy for many years, the 1st SFOD-D (or Delta Force). One of the pivotal battles that brought the commandos out of the shadows was the Battle of Mogadishu, which is more commonly referred to as the “Black Hawk Down” incident. Satterly was a young Delta Force soldier in Mogadishu at that time, and he tells a harrowing tale of survival.

Having already read “In the Company of Heroes” by Michael Durant (the pilot that was captured by Somali forces during the Battle of Mogadishu), I was very enlightened by Satterly’s take as a foot soldier during that twenty-four-hour ordeal. He speaks very openly about particular moments in that conflict that changed him: when he killed a man in close quarters with a grenade, subsequently splashing him with blood and gore; when he learned about his friend and team mate being shot in the head; when he and his team were running low on food, water, and ammunition while enemy insurgents closed in on them during the night. Satterly and his co-author, Jackson, write about these events in intricate detail that really paint a vivid picture in the mind of the reader. You can almost feel the fear, anxiety, and desperation that those Americans on the ground faced during the Battle of Mogadishu.

Though a poignant exemplification of the emotional force of this work, the Battle of Mogadishu is only a segment of what “All Secure” is about. Satterly’s career of nearly twenty years in Delta Force takes him from Somalia to Sarajevo and everywhere in between. The parts that particularly intrigued me were Satterly’s tours to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He makes great observations about how the war changed for coalition soldiers as their tactics forced them to quickly shift from liberators to terrorist hunters.

The majority of the book is written as a memoir of one of the world’s most elite military commandos. While there are some rather significant grammar and punctuation flaws, it does not take away from the picturesque storytelling that Satterly and Jackson are able to depict during Satterly’s years of training and deploying. Yet while it is an interesting narrative device, some of the thought flow can be jumbled with chapters starting off at a distinct time, then suddenly jarring the reader into a flashback or memory from another time. It takes some real concentration on the reader’s part to understand when they’re back in the “present” moment (the time that was stated at the beginning of the chapter).

There are also times where the book struggles to find its balance with the audience, losing its footing by not extrapolating on the contradictions of values. While the majority of the memoir seems to be geared towards readers that are interested in war stories and commando training with personal military experience, it does not forget that some of its audience are also interested in the psychological aspects of Satterly’s trauma and endurance, and these individuals may have no military experience at all. Satterly can appropriately navigate the difficult juxtaposition of demonizing the enemy with a racial epitaph while also reminding himself (and the reader) the different reasons as to why people (including his enemy) take up arms. These point-counterpoints aren’t always explored though, such as when Satterly says that he admires his soon-to-be wife’s ability to “drink with the best of them” while also admitting to his own alcoholism and substance abuse issues. These issues of substance abuse and maladaptive coping mechanisms are very central to the major themes of the book, and overlooking this contradiction made me wonder what Satterly’s views on alcoholism really are. Is it something to be admired or denigrated? Where in this tension of the recovery process is he, and could it be further explored and developed to help others with understanding his process?

Despite these noted issues, “All Secure” is a gem of a book that delivers a strong, powerful message to the Special Operations community and Americans at citizens concerned with the plight of our military. The real meat and potatoes of “All Secure” are when Satterly offers glimpses into his life as a human being, away from the weight-lifting, terrorist-hunting bad-ass that he can be. He gets into the types of music that he likes, how his family and upbringing inspired him to make his choices, and how love has ultimately enabled him to start facing his demons. Satterly speaks very openly about the difficulties of balancing life at home and life in a war zone, his suicide attempt after getting out of service, and his new mission of raising awareness about the emotional, physical, and spiritual burdens that our warriors will continue to face as warfare evolves.

“All Secure” is deserving of a follow up, and I hope that Tom and Jen Satterly will consider penning a manuscript in the future about their mission in helping combat veterans. I highly recommend this book both as an exploration of what our tier-one / Special Operations Forces must endure in the “Global War on Terrorism”, but also as a groundbreaking consideration as to how our leaders in the military must reshape the hypermasculine culture that only serves as a blockade to appropriately dealing with these war fighters’ mental health issues.

5/5 A unique read that balances the “commando’s memoir” with an exploration on self-discovery and healing

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book about a Delta operator and some of the missions he was part of. He also took you the reader through some of the training and some of what each one goes through to just to make it. The consent training that each operator does so when they are on a mission it is more muscle memory. He also takes you through the battle of Mogadishu better known now as “Black Hawk Down”. I found his take on things very different than some of the other stories that I have read. Very honest about everything including him slipping and falling down in the street. It was here and after that, you get the real sense of the man, that he is just that a man trained to do a job and does it. He also at times has a slip up like everyone, yet gets up and continues. In the past other books, I felt that the person looked at themselves as they could do no wrong, here he is honest about everything.
He takes you through his other assignments up to and including past 9\11. How when he is promoted and is in charge of training and other responsibilities, he takes those on still leading his own unit. He is also honest with his life after he gets out and when he meets he knew wife Jen. How their or his struggles at first could be their downfall yet he works through and together he and Jen form a new organization to help Vets. That is truly amazing. The work that they do together. I liked this book very much. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at
www.1rad-readerreviews.com

[Mindi Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Navy Wife Thanks You

Thank you thank you thank you! I feel like that's not even enough. This book was recommended to me by an amazing doctor at the VA Hospital. One that actually truly cares about everyone he treats. He was absolutely correct about this book. My husband has been retired since 2009. I now have a clearer picture of what he deals with every single day. I can't recommend this book enough. If you are a spouse or family member of someone in the military you need to read this. I have spent years feeling completely alone and just on the verge of "I'm done, deal with your own shit" but I just go back to he's my teammate no matter what and I will not give up on him. This book has literally given me hope that we can and will make it through anything. Thank you..

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giving 4* because there were many simple mistakes in punctuation and such that reeeeeeally should’ve been caught. Also, I was under the impression this had MORE to do with the aftermath of release from military and PTS. Enjoyed very much reading about the reasons behind the PTS and the loss of marriages and such (the horrible things experienced, heightened adrenaline, etc., specific to this officer). And what he experienced when he was stateside. But the cover copy made me think there was more...after. I also was wishing (once I got there) for more about the foundation.
Still absolutely a worthy read.

[Bryn D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good and important book about PTSD and the mental and physical scars of combat that so many vets experience. This is the autobiography of a Delta Force operator and how the intense operational tempo and constant combat affected his life and nearly cost it as well.

Good book. Not your typical autobiography that every former Navy SEAL seems to write tooting his own horn with tales of his exploits. This is a confessional spill your guts book about PTSD; his relatively normal life leading up to earning a place among the elite tier one unit known as Delta Force and how his life amongst the best of the best nearly ruined him.

[Kassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Satterly does a great job of unloading some really tough issues which many veterans struggle with. It’s a tough read at times but a necessary one in order to understand the complicated issues of PTS and healing the mental battles in our veterans. Military medicine and military institutions as a whole failed hundreds of thousands of service members by denying that mental health care was needed and they created a stigma against seeking treatment in military culture as well as making it end ones career.

Satterly uncovered his emotional wounds in this book to expose the problem and let it be easier for others to seek help as well.

[JJ Rieder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished reading this two days after I got it last week. I later have gone back and

Reread certain areas that were of particular interest to me. I can honest
Ly say that this is the best of this genre that I have read. The courage of these people is mind boggling. I reread the information on pts.
The suicides are a stain on the va. System and they keep going on. It is a tribute to the satterlys that they are trying to fill the gap that the va seems unwilling to address

Jerry Rieder
Tampa floridA

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insiders view of the spoils of being an elite Tier 1 operator in the service of our great nation. All Secure weaves a tale of what it takes to go to war and the fall out that occurs long after the shooting stops. Well written this book details the onset of Post Traumatic Stress and how it can manifest if not treated. Mr. Satterly and his wife are doing a great service for our elite warriors after their respective service is done with them and I applaud the work they do continuously. Well worth the time investment to read.

[Jerry Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Satterly is a national treasure and an example of how shitty the military uses and throws people away. His work with Jen is serving the special operators in ways the VA will never understand. This book is a great read for anyone curious about military history or those struggling with mental health matters. I love that he reads his own story. You can feel the situation in his voice, the terror of combat, and the overwhelming weight of depression and anxiety. I loved his story, and it gave me hope for my own challenges.

[BoxAlarm · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a book about PTSD than a biography

This is a biography that centers around PTSD. As a military member myself, it was good to learn more about the disorder. Overall this book was OK. Dry at times and very good at other times. It took me a while to get through it because I would lose interest but I was determined to finish. I would recommend this book to military members and maybe even first responders and their spouces who deal with PTSD.

[Wewerkak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best book I've read in a while. Captivating from the first to the last page. I've read it in one go as I just couldn't stop wondering what would be the outcome of Tom's story. It shows us what it's like to go through hell on a battlefield, the horrors the soldiers have seen and been through, and the struggles to live a "normal" life afterward. I'm glad he found a way to cope eventually, and I hope his effort will help more like him.