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#252 Matt Bissonnette - SEAL Team 6 Operator’s First-Hand Account of Operation Neptune Spear

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Nov 10, 2025

Matt Bissonnette, a former SEAL Team 6 operator known for his role in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, details his journey from elite soldier to author. He discusses the challenges he faced navigating government reviews and legal battles over his first book, No Easy Day. Joined by attorney Tim Parlatori, they tackle the double standards in pre-publication reviews and the financial impacts of his legal challenges. Bissonnette shares insights on resilience, family support, and the intense moments during the operation, alongside plans for his new book and consulting in Hollywood.

04:04:35

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ADVICE

Use The Four Fs When Facing Trials

Keep faith during hardship by treating trials as tests that reveal character and choices.
Lean on family, friends, fun, and faith—the 'four Fs' Matt learned from his father.

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ANECDOTE

Rapid Two-Week Mission Build-Up

Matt Bissonnette described being pulled in eight days after deployment to plan the ground assault option on the Bin Laden compound.
He rehearsed nonstop for two weeks—the only mission he ever rehearsed before execution.

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ANECDOTE

Seconds From Catastrophe In The Helo

The assault helo hung on a wall and a wheel landed on the compound wall, narrowly preventing disaster.
Matt credits inches and pilot skill for why the helicopter didn't roll or have its main rotor snap off.

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Decision to Reveal Identity After 12 Years

00:35 • 5min

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Why the New Book Needs Government Review

05:19 • 2min

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Faith, Family, and Resilience

07:17 • 4min

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Summary of the Legal Battles Over No Easy Day

11:10 • 10min

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Alaskan Childhood and Early Influences

20:57 • 8min

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Choosing the Navy and BUD/S Journey

28:39 • 8min

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Screening into SEAL Team Six (DEVGRU)

36:38 • 14min

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Deployments: Afghanistan and Iraq with Red Squadron

50:11 • 15min

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Notable DEVGRU Operations Prior to Bin Laden

01:04:51 • 4min

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Losing Teammates and Coping with Death

01:09:10 • 12min

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Initial Read-In and Planning for the Raid

01:21:22 • 4min

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Rehearsals, Risks, and Helicopter Assets

01:25:04 • 5min

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The Helicopter Crash and On-Target Chaos

01:30:21 • 10min

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Assault, Casualties, and Securing Rooms

01:40:51 • 5min

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Whispering Khalid's Name and Tactical Moments

01:46:10 • 8min

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Bin Laden Encounter, Engagement, and Confirmation

01:54:02 • 7min

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Exfiltration, Refueling, and Returning the Body

02:01:25 • 3min

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Why Bin Laden's Body Was Disposed at Sea

02:04:10 • 18min

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Writing No Easy Day: Publishing Decisions and Legal Advice

02:22:37 • 6min

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Government Investigations and Interrogations

02:28:21 • 30min

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Second Investigation: Gear Consulting and Further Pressure

02:58:10 • 4min

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Submitting the New Book and the DOD Slow-Roll

03:02:24 • 3min

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Legal Perspective on the Case and Double Standards

03:05:37 • 18min

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Taxes, Settlements, and Financial Impact

03:24:00 • 5min

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Why Books Get Held Up and How to Push Back

03:29:02 • 13min

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Advice for Veterans Wanting to Tell Their Story

03:41:55 • 4min

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Aftermath: Faith, Community, and Moving Forward

03:46:10 • 6min

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No Easy Way: Publishing Independently and Direct Sales

03:52:17 • 58sec

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Consulting for TV, SEAL Team Show, and Farm Plans

03:53:15 • 10min

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Personal Anecdotes: Impostors, WatchDOGS, and Life After Service

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Kill Bin Laden

A Delta Force Commander's Account of the Hunt for the World's Most Wanted Man

Dalton Fury

This book provides an explosive firsthand account of a Delta Force commando's hunt for Osama bin Laden. Written by Dalton Fury, it details the operation to capture or kill bin Laden, the first eyewitness account of the Battle of Tora Bora, and how close Delta Force came to capturing bin Laden. The book also offers a rare inside look at the shadowy world of Delta Force and their actions in battle.

#66909

No easy way

Aimée Sommerfelt

In 'No Easy Way', a sixteen-year-old Norwegian girl, despite her father's anger, gives up piano lessons to pursue acting with a destitute but talented nineteenth-century Danish teacher. The novel explores themes of personal ambition, family conflict, and the courage to follow one's dreams in the face of adversity. As with many of Sommerfelt's works, the story highlights the resilience of young people navigating difficult choices and societal expectations.

Mark Bowden's 'The Finish' offers a dramatic, meticulously researched narrative of the hunt for and elimination of Osama bin Laden, drawing on unprecedented access to key sources and decision-makers. The book traces the evolution of U.S. counterterrorism strategy after 9/11, the painstaking intelligence work that led to bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, and the high-stakes deliberations within the Obama administration that culminated in the Navy SEAL raid. Bowden provides intimate portraits of both bin Laden in his final years and President Obama as he navigated the immense responsibilities of command, delivering a pause-resistant account of one of the most significant special operations in history.

#17740

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Men in Green Faces

A Novel of U.S. Navy SEALs

B. Abell Jurus

Gene Wentz

This novel, written by former SEAL Gene Wentz and co-authored by B. Abell Jurus, brings to life the intense and dangerous operations of U.S. Navy SEALs during the Vietnam War. The story follows Gene Michaels, a deeply religious and skilled SEAL, as he and his team undertake top-secret missions deep in enemy territory. The narrative includes vivid descriptions of camaraderie, harrowing reconnaissance, brutal interrogations, and intense firefights. The plot centers around Michaels' quest to capture or kill a rogue South Vietnamese Navy SEAL who has turned against the U.S. military, and his personal vendetta against a bloodthirsty North Vietnamese colonel.

#8028

• Mentioned in 5 episodes

No Easy Day

The Firsthand Account of the Mission that Killed Osama bin Laden

Kevin Maurer

Matt Bissonnette (Mark Owen)

The book chronicles the author's upbringing in Alaska, his entry into the Navy SEALs, and his involvement in several operations, including the raid that targeted Osama bin Laden. It details the rigors of SEAL training, the camaraderie and professionalism of his teammates, and the events leading up to and during the bin Laden mission. The book also generated controversy due to its release without prior review by the U.S. Department of Defense, which claimed it contained classified information.

#2701

• Mentioned in 13 episodes

Black Hawk Down

Mark Bowden

This book narrates the harrowing ordeal of the Battle of Mogadishu, where 99 elite American soldiers of Task Force Ranger were sent on a mission to capture two top lieutenants of a renegade warlord. The mission, expected to take about an hour, turned into a 15-hour battle. Bowden's narrative captures the intensity of the situation through the eyes of the soldiers and Somali civilians, using extensive interviews, classified combat video, and radio transcripts. The battle resulted in 18 American soldiers dead, dozens injured, and significant casualties among the Somali population. The book is a gripping look at modern warfare, highlighting the chaos, bravery, and tragic outcomes of the conflict.

Matt Bissonnette is a former United States Navy SEAL known for his participation in the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden, as detailed in his bestselling book No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama bin Laden (2012), written under the pen name Mark Owen.

A DEVGRU (SEAL Team Six) operator, Bissonnette served multiple combat deployments and was one of the SEALs who entered bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. The book, which became a New York Times bestseller, sparked controversy for not being cleared by the Pentagon, leading to a 2016 settlement where Bissonnette agreed to forfeit royalties and speaking fees.

He has since advised on the CBS series SEAL Team (2017–present) and maintains a low public profile.

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This episode is sponsored by Gemini. All opinions expressed by the content creator are their own and not influenced or endorsed by Gemini. The Bitcoin Credit Card™ is a trademark of Gemini used in connection with the Gemini Credit Card®, which is issued by WebBank. For more information regarding fees, interest, and other cost information, see Rates and Fees: gemini.com/legal/cardholder-agreement Some exclusions apply to instant rewards; these are deposited when the transaction posts. 4% back is available on up to $300 in spend per month for a year (then 1% on all other Gas, EV charging, and transit purchases that month). Spend cycle will refresh on the 1st of each calendar month. See Rewards Program Terms for details: gemini.com/legal/credit-card-rewards-agreement Checking if you’re eligible will not impact your credit score. If you’re eligible and choose to proceed, a hard credit inquiry will be conducted that can impact your credit score. Eligibility does not guarantee approval. The appreciation of cardholder rewards reflects a subset of Gemini Cardholders from 10/08/2021 to 04/06/2025 who held Bitcoin rewards for at least one year. Individual results will vary based on spending, selected crypto, and market performance. Cryptocurrency is highly volatile and may result in gains or losses. This information is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Consult with your tax or financial professional before investing.

Matt Bissonnette Links:

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@mattbissonnetteofficial

Website - https://mattbissonnette.com

IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattbissonnetteofficial

IMDb (for SEAL Team) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6473344/fullcredits

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