Hi, and welcome to my author page. I consider myself primarily a father these days, but I have had a number of strange jobs over the years. I am a retired Green Beret, more specifically an 18F Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant, from 3rd Special Forces Group. Prior to that I was a Reconnaissance Marine and Scout Sniper in the USMC. In my years since retiring from that life, I have been a competitive shooter, contractor, firearms instructor, and general purpose hired gun.
When my first son was expected, I realized I need a change of careers. So I did what came naturally, and started writing for a digital magazine. As my exposure to other professional writers grew, many of whom had written books, I realized I had stories that needed telling. I wrote Last Son of the War God, my first novel, in 2017.
With the birth of my second son, my wife and I decided it was time to move out of the city. With two growing boys and a pack of wild dogs we call pets, we needed a change of pace. So we moved to a small town, downsizing our house but upsizing our land to a 5 acre plot. In my spare time, I pretend to homestead it.
My hobbies include changing dirty diapers, and trying to outrun a toddler while being 40. Other than that, I try to keep up on fitness, though with much humbler goals now that I don’t commando for a living. We plan on adding chickens and some smaller livestock soon, which should be an adventure in its own right.
I’ve travelled all over the world, though usually to places you wouldn’t want to go on vacation. Between my first career and an unexpected transition back to the real world, it has been interesting sometimes to the point of insanity. In the same year I once helped broker a deal for explosives importation from a former Soviet Bloc nation, lived in a fake Afghan village outside of Fort Bragg because I was to poor to get an apartment, and then immediately lived 6 months in a mansion in Aspen as head of a billionaires private security. Presently I am enjoying a slower pace of life, in the Pacific Northwest, the most beautiful place on Earth. My wife is teaching me to fly fish, and I am teaching her how to raise savages.
Clay, I’m reading Sword of the Caliphate and just realized you were an instructor for my EOD platoon years ago. You’ve clearly put as much effort and skill into this book, as you did with your instruction. It’s a page turner. Keep up the good work
Clay,
I read everything you write and love your sense of humor. So sorry to hear about your house and health issues. Your are on the top of my prayer list and I will make a substantial donation to your go fund me account.
The weatherman for the national weather station in Idaho grew up in Oklahoma and duck hunted with me for a number of years. John Keyes is his name. I won’t bend your ear further even though the temptation is very string. You have other things to deal with. Get well, stay strong and look to your great sense of humor to smooth life’s bumps in the road and maintain perspective. Wishing you the best.
John
Good afternoon – I am pursuing training for recon work and would be interested in your opinions and viewpoints on gear selection, TTPs, training scenarios and of course required reading. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Not sure if you would do something like that on a consulting basis, just came across your website and was impressed by your resume.
Zander Capo
Houston Texas
Just finished “Concrete Jungle”, loved it, needs a sequel.
What do you shoot the 6.5 Creedmore from?
Best
Clay,
after seeing this post it occurred to me, that we will look forward to another novel, but will want to see an autobiography – a personal “causus belli “ if you will.. the chapters might be:
Why you went to war for our country,
how you fought, and
who you killed (where opsec permits) and
how….
your rows of ribbons/medals (that you don’t talk about) are plain evidence of your heroism, please tell this story, it’s one both the former operators among us and regular Americans need to hear right now. I think also to set the record straight for your brothers that didn’t come back and can’t speak for themselves could be both a profound and compelling part of this story.
But most importantly, for me, how you came home a victor, normalized, and became a symbol for “bad dads” everywhere!!!
I’ll be waiting first in line to read it.
All the best,
Tyler D. Leavitt
Ft Lauderdale, FL
Hi Clay, just wanted to say I really enjoyed LSoTWG and Sword of the Caliphate. Is there a sequel to Sword Of The Caliphate in the pipeline? I was just driving down to Midland-Odessa about two weeks ago, right before I read the book.
Thanks again for a good read!
Eric, I’m wanting to know when the sequel to Sword of the Caliphate is coming out as well. I almost feel like it will be here soon in real life, so Clay better hurry up! HIs other nonfiction books are killer too, and quite of the moment, you might want to read them. Prairie Fire is a real good one. Cheers, j
Please write more! I just finished Sword of the Caliphate and the Last Son of the War God. I listen to books at work and I am jonesing for another book from you. Please keep writing!!! Your books kept my attention and that is something that only authors like brad Taylor and Brad Thor tend to do. You are a freakin’ awesome writer!
Hi Clay, 1st Thank You for your service to our Country, 2nd Thank You for your valuable information and insight, your recent books Prairie Fire and Concrete Jungle and YouTube gun videos are information gold when it hits the fan
Hi hi hi there
Just trying to let Clay know your books are awesome
Last Son of the War God should be a movie
The whole time reading it it was playing out in my head so visually that I actually viewed it as a movie
Sword of the Caliphate
Is great too
I’m not military so it takes a bit to catch on to done words and whatnot
But just like the other it’s movie quality
And I’m sitting right there with Ranger Paul Willie Frank John Steve Bazan and company
I swear these are the things you’ve seen while deployed
Please either make sequels, prequels or a series on these
I can’t get enough
And I want more
Hopefully we’ll get more good reads from you sir
Strength & Honor
Truth. Valor and Respect
Just enjoyed LSOTWG on Audible, and immediately started listening to SOTC. You got a few things wrong however, us Boundary
County types generally frown on cannibalism unless under extreme life threatening circumstances, and only then is it legal in our fair state. I appreciated the Norse Gods references though, as the Old Ones thrive here in these hinterlands… Well done, I look forward to reading more of your works.
PS: fly fishing is a great way to starve, and raising savages for the coming Wolf Age is the only course of action for a man of honor.
Be the reason the forest is haunted.
How do I sign up for JUST your updates and not a bunch of other emails from wild blue press?
Sorry I couldn’t find another POC for you.
Urban jungle was awesome but Prairie Fire nailed it!
My consulting service targets high net worth families to provide comprehensive strategic relocation options. Turn-key service providing a secure retreat and reasonable solution to get there in an austere environment.
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Thanks for your consideration,
After all the stuff Rifle Range Ranger stuff that out there. It’s refreshing to see something written by a pro.
One question. If things get to Phase 2 -4 do you think commercial civiles drones ( Not Military ones.) could be an issue? They could be a useful eye in the sky or real danger.
Hi,
Sword Of The Caliphate was the best book I have read in decades. Do I have much longer to wait for the sequel?
Thanks,
Michelle
Re-reading prairie fire for the 10th time, any chance you’ll be making those redacted phase one tactics available for download?
Clay,
I’m not a huge reader as other hobbies and raising children usually take precedent. I was going on vacation and purchased LSOTWG to take along with me in case I had some down time. I really enjoy reading your reviews of equipment and other writings online, so I figured I’d have to enjoy a book by you. I have to say it was a lot of fun, and I couldn’t put it down once I started! I went in blind not knowing what it was about, nor did I read anything about it prior to starting. Again, great book very interesting from start to finish. Once I finished I quickly ordered Sword of the Caliphate that I just finished as well, and thoroughly enjoyed this book just as much! Keep up the great work, and I look forward to any future books you publish!
Thank you also for your service, I have nothing but respect for you and the others for what you have done for our Nation.
Clay, “Generation GWOT and the fall of Afganistan” was so powerful and well written right from the heart and experiences from your service, Thank You. I forwarded to all my comrades in arms, reminders of Saigon Evac, only worse, no planing. Welcome home, we found the best place in the world. Congradulations on the new son. Enjoy and read all you on line articles, need to buy you books so I can learn more. See you around town, like to buy you a beer.
Great Article up on your OTR and its ending advice. Tried to post there but get suspected bot from multiple IPs.
Love your books. For the non-fiction I’m half thru Prairie Fire and find it very helpful. I know real world is a mess but do hope you find the time for a sequel to Sword of the Caliphate and more like Last Son of a War God.
D.O.L.
I tried too.. Its a shame as im a Idaho resident and would love to chat with him but apparently, im a bot
What’s up Clay… I just heard you on the Jesse Kelly podcast and thanks to you I bought the Berkley water filter and I just bought your book on Amazon… Thanks for the info and SEMPER FI….. Cpl.Meyer 2/25 USMCR…. Yuuutt!!!
Hello, Mr. Martin.
I just finished reading your latest book about the Wendigo. It was very interesting and a fast read. Just wanted to say, well done, sir. BTW loved your little bio hear. Speaking from experience, being a parent at your age will be a positive. It will keep you young! Would you consider expanding your payment methods to include PayPal? Just asking. Loved those patches:) Respectfully, Sue the DV🇺🇸✌🏻
Yo Clay, DOL here (Montana Chapter 28, SF Assn), just read your Prairie Fire and Concrete Jungle. Assigned to 5th Group, went to Vietnam 10/64 right from Smoke Bomb Hill. Left 05/66, 32# lighter and 100 years older. Got mustered out and became a big city firefighter (and reserve Deputy Sheriff) for 35 years. Anyway, re personal sidearms, you missed commenting on the huge morale factor of having a last ditch weapon that you personally own and can take anywhere (and conceal). Most if not all field guys back then had their own pistol/revolver for end times (I bought a civilian Colt 1911 from a Sgt who was rotating back when the whole 5th Group showed up). When my oldest son went to Iraq (courtesy of the Montana National Guard) I told him to pick what pistol he wanted from the ranch armory and was astounded to find out they were not allowed! I did buy him a new helmet to replace the junk he had issued, the (then) new style bayonet, a good pair of 10×25 binos (which his squad leader constantly borrowed), and a Motorola GMRS radio with multiple charging options as the lower ranks did not have any other way to communicate with each other (Motorola was the only radio then that was repeater capable). Anyway, like your books, and if you ever need a retro SF viewpoint give me a call.
Great novels. The stories captivating and well told. Can’t wait for sequels, sounds like you have experienced health problems. Prayers.