Shawn’s Comments (group member since Jul 09, 2016)

Shawn’s comments from the SSG: Spy/Spec-Ops Group group.

I might as well step in line. Published my third book in March. It's the second Special Agent Michael Poe novel. I apply my own real life experiences (retired Special Agent DHS) and add a twisted plot. Enjoy

Shawn

The Girl With The Black Mark

Good point. Shades of grey.

Actually they were really good. Most police agencies on NY only qualify once a year. We had to do it four times, not including special training such as warrant entry, special weapons. And when I was assigned to DEA they made me qualify another four times. Instructors were great guys. These guys LOVED their guns!

I live in New York. Nuff said. As far as clips- that's what we called them and so did my DHS, Customs and DEA firearms instructors. To each his own.

I read all the books and loved each. Fleming created the template for the suave spy. Certainly ahead of his time. Fleming himself was in British Intelligence as per the book jackets and apparently knew the machine and how it worked. Read them, you won't be disappointed!

I just watched the new Jason Bourne movie. Great – EXCEPT – midway through Bourne is accessing the laptop while a CIA kill squad is almost upon him. The scene shifts to the front passenger seat of the killers car and the guy takes out a (I believe a Glock 19) and racks the slide to charge the weapon.

REALLY? Are you kidding? What I get from this is the killer has a gun in a holster or waistband that when pulled cannot fire. He has to now put a bullet in the chamber. Does anyone see a problem with this?

I carried a pistol for 24 years as a Special Agent with the government (retired DHS) and this is ridiculous. First and foremost, a weapon MUST be ready to perform in the instant case – pull and fire. The time it takes to draw, rack the slide and then aim is unacceptable and unheard o f in real life. You’ll get yourself killed.

Second, with, in this case a Glock 19 having a 15 round clip (only law enforcement these days) anyone who carries it and knows what he’s doing, WILL load the clip then rack one into the chamber, extract the clip, load one more bullet into the clip and insert it again. Now instead of 15 rounds you have sixteen. Basic. If you were ever in a gun fight that extra round is golden.

Third, I see in movies and have read in books where the spy or agent upholsters his weapon, pulls the slide back slowly so as not to make noise. RIDICULOUS. This will in many cases create a “stove pipe” – the bullet does not seat properly and sticks out of slide at a 90degree angle. You need to pull the slide and let it slam forward like when it shoots and ejects the casing.

Lastly, a very well known author who will remain nameless spoke about DEA receiving their training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, Georgia. Come on. DEA trains at Quantico with the Feebs. I trained at FLETC and there are no DEA guys there.

These types of mistakes ruin books.

My first book, Rerun: A New Face of Terrorism has a crazy terrorist plot but is investigated as I would have in real life.

Hopefully, no one takes offense to this criticism. Most authors are pretty accurate. If you need any help, message me through the group. Shawn

Rerun: A New Face of Terrorism

Jim,

I retired a few years ago, but I'll call the office and get you any current data. That was more interdiction related stuff. I worked active cases using snitches and following money. Lock up the small fish to get the bigger ones. Any help I can give, I'm more than happy to. Give me a few days.

Shawn

I am a new author in your genre and also a retired Special Agent from the Department of Homeland Security. Adds realism to my book. Been there, done that. Scary world. Truth is stranger than fiction. Enjoy! Shawn


Rerun: A New Face of Terrorism