Valhalla Boys

Marine Recon Sniper in Iraq

By: Brennan Morton

Narrated by: Basil Sands

A young Marine recon sniper navigates the harrowing complexities of unconventional warfare in Iraq post-2006.

In 2006, the shock and awe campaign of securing the major cities had ended, and the Iraq War had moved into an alien phase for the operators of Black Flag One. With their motto “swift, silent, deadly,” the Marine operators of 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion were trained for unconventional warfare but they were tasked with holding and securing swathes of the country, facing Insurgents who were adapting their tactics to kill as many Coalition soldiers as possible using IEDs. It was a terrifying new phase of the war where every disturbed patch of dirt, every piece of rubbish, every civilian acting oddly could mean instant death.

Into this cauldron of hate came a young Marine recon sniper. Brennan Morton had been fascinated by war and the military as long as he could remember, and had signed up for the Marines as an enlisted after 9/11. Developed from writing undertaken at the suggestion of his VA therapist, his immersive memoir takes the listener through selection and training and the first patrol sweeping for caches, to endless night watches, and deadly IED attacks.

©2025 Brennan Morton (P)2025 Dreamscape Media

Vivid and authentic

So often you read stories of Navy Seals or a Medal of Honor winner that is meant to be a marketing campaign or geared for a movie deal. Morton doesn't portray anything beyond his authentic self. There is a battery of emotions as you experience life in the eyes of a basic warrior. This isn't the journey of a war hero or some Hollywood script. Anyone who has served or worked with veterans will be able to relate. Rarely have I seen an author do such a great job of being enjoyable, relatable, and impactful. Morton, my hat is off to you, thank you for your service, and please continue to represent us as you remember your brother's and sisters.

Its military, but READS like a great novel

The narrator really nailed the military parlance and voices. Really excellent all around, from a compelling story to a voice that I just kept wanting to listen to.