Former SEALs have offered accounts of derring-do, being transgender, SEAL-style yoga, dog-training techniques and even SEAL humor. One author, Matt Bissonnette, earned millions for “No Easy Day,” a firsthand narrative of the Bin Laden raid, but had to forfeit the profits for failing to submit it for Pentagon review of classified information.

Some SEALs, contending that they have every right to benefit from their experiences in the military, say the publicity has done no harm and divulged few if any classified tactics or techniques. Kevin Lacz, a former SEALs member whose book “The Last Punisher” is due this summer, said in an interview that readers are captivated by “the mystique and aura of the teams,” and want to hear “stories about SEALs written by SEALs.”

Brandon Webb, who founded a veteran-run news website, Sofrep, that focuses on the Special Operations community and is an author of several SEAL-themed books, was cited in the thesis as someone who has exploited the SEAL brand.

“Ever since wars have been fought guys have been writing their stories,” Mr. Webb said. “It’s important for Americans to know what the guys fighting the wars have been experiencing, not just from the perspective of a talking-head politician or a four-star general.”

The elevation of SEALs in the public eye has plenty of precedent; there have been countless books and movies about heroics or sacrifice by organizations like the Marines and the Green Berets in other eras. The United States military has often assisted Hollywood, figuring that inspiring narratives helped win recruits and support.

In fact, the Naval Special Warfare Command helped create the clamor for tales of SEAL daring. After 19 SEALs and helicopter crewmen were killed during a 2005 mission in Afghanistan, Marcus Luttrell, who lived through it, was given time off to work with a writer on what became the best-seller “Lone Survivor .” It was published in 2007 and released as a feature film in 2013.