Former SEALs react to tell-all book

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - "No Easy Day: The First-hand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden" is set t hit shelves Sept. 11 but it is already drawing criticism from some members of the military community.

Donn Mann spent 21 years in the military, 17 as a SEAL and eight as a member of the SEAL Team 6, the same SEAL team that took down Osama Bin Laden. Mann has authored 6 books including "Inside SEAL Team 6." He says as long as the text in "No Easy Day" was combed through, the SEAL who wrote it should avoid any legal action.

"As long as it's clear and vetted it's not really an issue," Mann said.

Mann says he turned down several publishers who wanted classified information, opting instead for the one who offered to publish only a bio of his experience.

A military review board still found sensitive information and redacted in black anything that could jeopardize national security. Mann doesn't mind this form of censorship. Mann says all SEALs sign a non-disclosure agreement that doesn't end with their military service.

"[it's] just little pieces of [information like] when an enemy gets a handle on that, they're much more able to defeat us," Mann said.

According to the Penquin Books website, "No Easy Day" penned by a former SEAL Team 6 member under the pseudonym Mark Owen is a "blow by blow narrative of the assault" on Osama Bin Laden. The book promises to "take readers onto the field of battle in America's ongoing war on terror and details the selection and training process for one of the most elite units in the military."

Mann says this information could be detrimental to every SEAL and his family.

"Islamic terrorists would like nothing more than to take out a SEAL because a SEAL took out their leader," Mann said.

Mann says the author may have consulted with a lawyer, but he does not believe a review board scrutinized the book.

"It's troubling for all of us to think he might have not done everything he could have before releasing this information," Mann said.

Mann says he's giving the book's author the benefit of the doubt since he doesn't know what is written in the book yet.

"I understand how the American people would want to know every detail of it, I understand the fascination, it's exciting, but there's a difference between want to know and need to know," former SEAL Scott Taylor said.

A Naval Special Warfare spokesperson says NSW was not aware of the book and was not provided an opportunity to vet it prior to publication.

The spokesperson confirmed the author's real name is Matthew Bissonnette. He is a former SEAL who completed BUD/S training in 1999 and is now a civilian.

Earlier this week, Taylor criticized the Obama administration for security leaks. Now, one of the SEAL Team's own may have done the same.

"I don't think it's hypocritical at all, but it would be irresponsible of me to comment on the book because I haven't seen it," Taylor said.