![9780525954521_NoHero_IS.indd Me running and gunning during some training when I was at ST5.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/navy-seal-photos-mark-owen-no-hero-14.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
Ideas
By TIME Staff
![9780525954521_NoHero_IS.indd Divers and safety boat off the pier in Ketchikan, Alaska, a short distance from where a killer whale had had its breakfast that morning.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/navy-seal-photos-mark-owen-no-hero-4.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![9780525954521_NoHero_IS.indd Epic fail! If you look close, you can see the skid marks on the ground behind me.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/navy-seal-photos-mark-owen-no-hero-7.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![9780525954521_NoHero_IS.indd My swim buddy and me in our hotel room waiting for the call to go board the U-Haul. Taken during the Ketchikan exercise.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/navy-seal-photos-mark-owen-no-hero-3.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![9780525954521_NoHero_IS.indd The morning after the rescue of Captain Phillips.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/navy-seal-photos-mark-owen-no-hero-11.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![9780525954521_NoHero_IS.indd The Delta guys and me after we almost landed on the wrong house.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/navy-seal-photos-mark-owen-no-hero-120.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![9780525954521_NoHero_IS.indd Afghanistan. The MiGis a reminder of when Russia fought there for years as well.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/navy-seal-photos-mark-owen-no-hero-15.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![9780525954521_NoHero_IS.indd A buddy and me about to head out on a freezing cold winter mission in a snow-swept valley.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/navy-seal-photos-mark-owen-no-hero-118.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![9780525954521_NoHero_IS.indd Me running and gunning during some training when I was at ST5.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/navy-seal-photos-mark-owen-no-hero-14.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![9780525954521_NoHero_IS.indd Training with our four-by-fours and side-by-sides.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/navy-seal-photos-mark-owen-no-hero-13.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![9780525954521_NoHero_IS.indd Afghan partner forces.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/navy-seal-photos-mark-owen-no-hero-117.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![9780525954521_NoHero_IS.indd Me during my first HAHO, or high-altitude high-opening, jump trip with my ST6 squadron, just before my parachute cutaway.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/navy-seal-photos-mark-owen-no-hero-5.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![9780525954521_NoHero_IS.indd My camo uniform when I returned from the UBL raid. The blood on the upper left is where the bullet frag entered my shoulder.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/navy-seal-photos-mark-owen-no-hero-12.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![9780525954521_NoHero_IS.indd Hair Missile and handler on an Afghanistan deployment.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/navy-seal-photos-mark-owen-no-hero-8.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Biden Drops Out of Presidential Race , Endorses Harris to Replace Him
- Why Biden Dropped Out
- The Chaos and Commotion of the RNC in Photos
- Why We All Have a Stake in Twisters’ Success
- 8 Eating Habits That Actually Improve Your Sleep
- Stop Feeling Bad About Sweating
- Welcome to the Noah Lyles Olympics
- Get Our Paris Olympics Newsletter in Your Inbox
Contact us at letters@time.com
TIME Ideas hosts the world's leading voices, providing commentary on events in news, society, and culture. We welcome outside contributions. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors.