JRE 1634 · June 27, 2024

Jack Carr

militarycrimephilosophyhistorybusiness

Who is Jack Carr?

Jack Carr is a New York Times bestselling author, former Navy SEAL, and host of the Danger Close podcast. His newest novel, "The Devil's Hand", is available now.

Topics and Timestamps

01Jack Carr discusses his transition from Navy SEAL to bestselling author and the discipline required for both careers
02Deep dive into his novel The Devil's Hand and how his military experience informs authentic storytelling
03Conversation about the realities of special operations, rules of engagement, and moral complexity in combat
04Jack breaks down his writing process and how he approaches character development based on real people he's known
05Discussion of current geopolitical tensions and how they influence his thriller narratives
06Jack shares insights about the Danger Close podcast and interviewing other operators with real combat experience
▶Jack explains his transition from Navy SEAL to full-time author0:05:30
▶Discussion of The Devil's Hand and the research behind his novels0:18:45
▶Jack talks about the Danger Close podcast and interviewing other operators0:35:20
▶Deep dive into rules of engagement and moral complexity in modern warfare0:52:15
▶Carr discusses how geopolitical events influence his writing and storytelling1:08:00

The Show

Joe brings on Jack Carr, a former Navy SEAL turned New York Times bestselling author, to talk about his writing career, military background, and his latest novel The Devil's Hand. The conversation kicks off with Joe asking about the transition from the highly structured world of special operations to the creative freedom of writing novels.

Carr explains that the discipline and attention to detail required in SEAL Team Six translated directly into his writing practice. He's meticulous about research and authenticity, refusing to write scenes he hasn't personally experienced or thoroughly studied. This commitment to realism is what makes his thrillers resonate with both military and civilian audiences.

They dig into The Devil's Hand and the themes running through it. Carr discusses how his books explore the gray areas of modern warfare, the moral questions operators face, and the political pressures that shape military decision making. He's clear that he writes about the complexity of these situations rather than glorifying them.

The conversation turns to his podcast Danger Close, where Carr interviews other former operators and combat veterans. Joe and Jack talk about why these stories matter and how they differ from typical military memoirs or documentaries. Carr gets guests to open up about experiences that go beyond sanitized official narratives.

Joe asks about specific combat scenarios and rules of engagement, which leads to Carr explaining how the legal and political frameworks around modern warfare create impossible situations for the men on the ground. He speaks with the authority of someone who lived through these constraints and understands the burden they place on operators.

The episode touches on geopolitics, current tensions, and how these real world events influence the stories Carr writes. He's careful to separate fiction from fact but draws heavily on actual geopolitical trends and military strategy.

Throughout the conversation, Carr comes across as thoughtful, measured, and deeply knowledgeable. He's not a typical action movie guy talking tough, he's someone who has genuinely been through the worst situations imaginable and channels that into compelling, intelligent fiction. The conversation feels like two people who respect the complexity of violence and warfare having a real discussion about it, rather than glorifying it.

Best Quotes

“The discipline you learn as a SEAL, the attention to detail, that translates directly into writing. You have to earn the right to tell these stories.”

— Jack Carr