Shock Factor: American Snipers in the War on Terror

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

JACK COUGHLIN:

This book was written as a testament for all snipers who have served our nation. John and I are grateful to every shooter interviewed for this book. Your time, energy, and memories made this book possible, and we hope as you read our words you feel like we’ve done justice to your achievements on the battlefield.

JOHN BRUNING:

In May 2008, I was fortunate to function as an OPFOR “sniper” for Alpha Company, 2–162 Infantry during a National Guard field exercise at Goshen, Oregon. I remember very clearly being hunkered down under a pine tree on a slope overlooking a makeshift village by the Lane County dump, observing 2nd Platoon as they worked. Trying to simulate a react-to-sniper drill was tricky at best, and there was clearly no way to create the Shock Factor that makes snipers so valuable in battle. Yet the drill left a deep impression on me. I looked through the scope at men I knew well, most were good friends, and one by one, I pulled the trigger and called their names to the Observer Controller functioning as the referee for the exercise. As each man went down, and the platoon took cover and countered my presence, I gained a glimpse of how vulnerable our warriors are to a concealed, trained shooter. The importance of having such men protecting my friends as they went about their missions was driven home to me, and I left with a great appreciation for those who carry scopes into combat.

So when I had the chance to work with Jack Coughlin on a book about such men, I jumped at the chance. I had just come home from Afghanistan, where I’d been an embedded writer with elements of the Oregon National Guard and the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigate, 3rd ID, and wanted a new project that had value and meaning to me. When our agent, Jim Hornfischer, suggested we team up on Shock Factor, I was all in.

Working with Jack was a tremendous professional experience, and he has become a valued friend. Thank you, Jack, for everything.

To Charlie Spicer — it has been a great pleasure to work with you and the team at St. Martin’s. Your patience as our snipers came and went on overseas deployments was much appreciated, and the final result is very much a product of the great team we all became. Thank you for taking a chance on me, I am grateful for the opportunity. April, your tireless work and patience have been much appreciated. The book is much better for your efforts on our behalf. Thank you, and thanks to the rest of the team at St. Martin’s who made Shock Factor a labor of love.

Much of Shock Factor was written in my library in Independence. My daughter, Renee, made sure I was taken care of through many long nights. I would find notes on my laptop, treats on my desk. At odd hours of the night, she would get up and check on me to see how I was doing. Later, after Renee went through brain surgery, she spent six weeks with me day and night as she recovered from her operation. I’ve never had so much fun working, Cricket, than when you were hanging out with me. Thank you for all the motivation and the care. You’re an amazing young woman.

Both Renee and Ed joined a rifle team soon after I started writing Shock Factor with Jack. As a result, Ed was fascinated with the stories we were developing, and sharing chapters with him became one of the rituals that defined much of the book’s progress. Thank you, Ed; your love and support have been pivotal.

To Jenn, it didn’t turn out the way we thought it would, but your friendship and love have always been a vital part of my life. Thank you for all the countless things you’ve done for me as I’ve worked to develop this crazy career of mine. Our children will go far in life, no doubt because of the passion, care, and devotion you’ve given to them. Just know, I will always appreciate all that you have given me.

Kevin Maries was the first military sniper I ever met. Kevin, you are a marvel, and your friendship means more to me than I can ever express. We may go months or even years without seeing each other, but I always know you’re there. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.

Dan, Tyson, Randy, Darren, and Nate — you guys are the best. Thanks for all your time and effort; I hope you feel like we’ve done the sniper section justice here. And guys, thank you for letting me be a small part of the battalion’s training operations from 2007–2013. Those are weekends I’ll never forget, and my appreciation for everything you all accomplished was reinforced by those experiences.

To Jason and Adam, new friends made through this book — thank you for everything. Adam, I’m still listening to that song you told me about! Jason, I hope we can link up in New York at your restaurant some day; I’m really looking forward to that.

Chris Kyle, though you’ll never read these words, it was a great privilege to get to know you a little bit back in the fall of 2011. When we talked about your mission to kill or capture Thomas Tucker’s abductors, this book became personal to me. Thomas was an Oregonian. I met one of his cousins in a restaurant in Independence a short time after he’d been killed. The pain of his loss was evident, so being able to write about the justice exacted on those responsible for that pain made Shock Factor more a crusade than just a book for me. Thank you for sharing those memories.

Jim Hornfischer — what can I say? You’ve been a friend, a rock, a man who transformed my life in 2006, then transformed it again after I came home from Afghanistan. Your efforts, your honesty, and your integrity in a business that Stephen King once called a “Tiger Pit” is utterly unique. Thank you for all that you have done for me and my family — and one of these days we really need to have a beer, damnit!

Allison — your support and faith in my writing has never wavered. Even after I returned home unsure of the way forward, feeling lost and questioning the course of my career, you’ve been there to remind me why I’ve been put here in the first place. It wasn’t for fluffy kitten stories. Honoring those who served with the best words I can find is more than a profession, it is for me almost a monastic calling. You made sure I never lost sight of that again. Thank you for reminding me who I am and will always be. And when the sadness and pain of loss that surrounds what I do seems overwhelming, you are there with warmth and humor to lift me back up. Thank you for so many gifts so selflessly shared over these many years.

Lastly, Taylor Marks: I carry your spirit with me through every day, every decision. I’ve lived with your sense of adventure, your strength and courage as my guide every day since the war took you from us. My family will never forget.