You've probably seen the name popping up in military forums or heard it whispered on high-intensity podcasts lately. The Singleton isn't just a catchy title; it's the core of a massive debate surrounding one of the most enigmatic figures in the modern veteran community. We’re talking about John "Shrek" McPhee, a retired Delta Force operator who has spent the last few years either being worshipped as a tactical god or scrutinized under a microscope by his peers.
Honestly, the "Singleton" concept is where things get weird. In the world of JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command), a singleton mission is a solo operation. One man. No backup. No extraction team hovering just over the horizon. It is the loneliest, most dangerous way to fight a war. McPhee claims he didn't just do these—he mastered them.
Who is the Man Behind the Singleton?
John McPhee didn't earn the nickname "Shrek" because he’s a friendly green ogre. He earned it by being a massive, intimidating presence in some of the most elite units the U.S. Army has ever fielded. He spent over 20 years in the service, much of it within the "Unit"—the tier-one Tier 1 Special Mission Unit commonly known as Delta Force.
After retiring, he founded SOB Tactical (Sheriff of Baghdad). He became a master instructor, teaching everyone from high-level operators to civilians how to shoot with speed and "heinous" accuracy. But lately, the conversation has shifted away from his shooting drills and toward his upcoming book, The Singleton.
The Tora Bora Factor
One of the most famous stories associated with McPhee—and a cornerstone of the "Singleton" legend—is his role in the hunt for Bin Laden at Tora Bora in 2001. According to several accounts, including those corroborated by Major Thomas Greer (writing under the pen name Dalton Fury in Kill Bin Laden), McPhee was one of the first "boots on the ground" in the region.
He wasn't there with a massive troop movement. He was essentially acting as a one-man recon element. While many operators work in small teams (ODAs or Troops), the singleton operates in the shadows.
McPhee has spoken at length about these missions on the Joe Rogan Experience and the Shawn Ryan Show. He describes a reality that sounds like a Hollywood thriller:
- Driving taxis through Baghdad to move CIA assets.
- Infiltrating deep into Taliban territory alone.
- Conducting solo raids that most units wouldn't touch without a full QRF (Quick Reaction Force).
The Controversy: Truth or Tactical Fiction?
Here’s where the "human" element of the story gets messy. If you spend enough time in veteran circles, you’ll find that McPhee is a polarizing figure. You’ve got guys who would follow him into a burning building, and then you’ve got the skeptics.
Basically, some people find his stories... a bit much.
On a 2024 episode of the Joe Rogan Experience (#2238), McPhee went into detail about his solo exploits. Shortly after, the internet exploded. Critics pointed to his claims about "hundreds" of singleton missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some find it hard to believe that a single operator could be permitted to take that much risk so frequently without any linguistic training in Pashto or Arabic.
The Saddam AK Incident
A specific point of contention that often comes up is the "Saddam's AK" story. McPhee has claimed to possess a gold-plated AK-47 belonging to Saddam Hussein. During the Rogan interview, some eagle-eyed viewers and tactical experts questioned the authenticity of the rifle's provenance. While McPhee maintains he has the real deal, the skeptics argue that there were thousands of "palace guns" and that his specific narrative doesn't quite line up with the known history of the 2003 invasion.
Why "The Singleton" Book Matters Now
Despite the noise, McPhee remains a titan in the industry. His upcoming book, The Singleton, is currently one of the most anticipated releases in the military thriller and memoir space. It’s being marketed as a "high-stakes military thriller," which has led some to wonder if it’s a fictionalized version of his life or a straight autobiography.
The release has been plagued by delays. Originally slated for late 2025, it’s now pushed into 2026. This has only added to the "Shrek" mystique.
Why does this matter to you? Because the "Singleton" represents a shift in how we view modern warfare. We’re moving away from the "Big Army" perspective and focusing on the individual—the "hyper-enabled operator." Whether you believe every word McPhee says or not, his influence on tactical training and the "Special Ops" brand is undeniable.
Actionable Insights for the Tactical Enthusiast
If you’re following the "Singleton" saga or looking to apply some of McPhee’s "Sheriff of Baghdad" wisdom to your own training, here’s the ground truth:
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- Question the Narrative, Respect the Service: It is possible for someone to be a legitimate hero and a bit of a "tall tale" teller at the same time. Don't let the internet drama distract you from the fact that McPhee spent decades in the world's most dangerous places.
- Focus on the "Science of the Shot": Regardless of his stories, McPhee’s technical instruction on weapon manipulation is widely regarded as top-tier. If you’re a shooter, look at his "System of Systems" approach rather than just the war stories.
- Wait for the Book: If you want the full context of the "Singleton" missions, the pre-order for The Singleton through SOB Tactical is the only way to get his unfiltered version of events.
- Listen to Multiple Perspectives: To get a balanced view, read Dalton Fury’s Kill Bin Laden alongside McPhee’s interviews. It helps to see how different operators from the same mission remember the details.
The world of Delta Force is intentionally opaque. We may never know the absolute truth about every solo mission John McPhee conducted. But in the end, the "Singleton" isn't just a book—it’s the legacy of a man who chose to go where nobody else would, usually by himself.
To stay updated on the release of the book or to see his latest training modules, your best bet is to follow the official SOB Tactical channels. That's where the most accurate, non-rumor-mill information lives.