SEAL who shot bin Laden speaks out

gshase · 02-11-2013, 07:43 AM

I do not get this guy. He quit the Navy after 16 years and wants to retire and keep his benefits. Yes he took out OSB but he was just doing his job like everyone who I served with. SEAL who shot bin Laden speaks out | The Lookout - Yahoo! News

944Larry · 944Larry's Garage

probably thought he'd get book deals and maybe a movie and it didn't pan out. He had to know you have to stay 20 for the benefits.

dennis in se pa · dennis in se pa's Garage

Too many people get into prominent positions for the glory. Not taking anything away from what it takes to be a SEAL. I saw an elevator cert the other day with a picture of one of the "Officials" in the licensing department for elevators. What need was there for that other than self aggrandizement of the official? Apparently this guy (the SEAL) thought he was to get a free ride for doing the job he requested in the first place. Wrong.

Seahawk · 02-11-2013, 08:14 AM

One of the things the Navy does very well is transition assistance, counseling for those either getting out or those retiring.

This guy knew the specific rules, or had access to know the specific rules, in advance of leaving the Navy.

Unless there is more to the story not contained in the article (high tenure without making rank, injury, involuntary separation in other words) he should have known.

Nostril Cheese · 02-11-2013, 08:35 AM

My uncle did 20 years USN enlisted. He has pretty damn good benefits as a result. I dont understand why anyone that close would just quit.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-11-2013, 08:37 AM

Seems as if he wants special treatment? While I certainly applaud the work that he and his fellow SEALs were able to accomplish, is he any more deserving than any other serviceman or woman that does their job? Working with a number of military retirees, I know the significance of the 20 year milestone. I find it hard to believe that he did not.

Crowbob · 02-11-2013, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

My uncle did 20 years USN enlisted. He has pretty damn good benefits as a result. I dont understand why anyone that close would just quit.

Probably for the same 'reason' kids quit high school during their senior year.

BK911 · BK911's Garage

So you serve 20 years painting the side of the ship, working at a desk, cutting hair, making food, etc... and you can retire at 50% pay.
You also have to serve 20 years as a SEAL to retire at 50% pay.
Sorry, but I believe anybody that serves in a hazard duty role should have some sort of multiplier on their tenure.
16 years of mind numbing stress should count for 20 stripping and waxing a floor.

bell · bell's Garage

OT in ... A nephew on my wifes side is starting hell week today.......I'll post how he does...

bell · bell's Garage

And I agree with the multiplier idea......

when I was in Newfoundland I listen to the audio book by Howard wasden seal team 6.....very intriguing stuff....

dennis in se pa · dennis in se pa's Garage

"I agree with the multiplier idea......"

Makes sense to me, but it is not currently in place. So.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-11-2013, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK911

So you serve 20 years painting the side of the ship, working at a desk, cutting hair, making food, etc... and you can retire at 50% pay.
You also have to serve 20 years as a SEAL to retire at 50% pay.
Sorry, but I believe anybody that serves in a hazard duty role should have some sort of multiplier on their tenure.
16 years of mind numbing stress should count for 20 stripping and waxing a floor.

Maybe. I'd be curious how the pay for a SEAL compares to the normal enlisted grunt. Based on the pilots that I know you can make pretty decent money in the military depending on the job, particularly officers. That may be very job specific, I honestly don't know.

Also remember, they volunteer for that duty. I'm sure if he wanted off of the front lines that other possibilities were available, I doubt they force guys into that role who have lost their desire.

911_Dude · 02-11-2013, 10:02 AM

I'm very disappointed in this guys attitude. If you quit before 20 no benefits. That's the deal and he knew it the entire 16 years he was in.
Thanks for a job well done. Now quit your whining.

LtC retired Air Force

Seahawk · 02-11-2013, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Maybe. I'd be curious how the pay for a SEAL compares to the normal enlisted grunt. Based on the pilots that I know you can make pretty decent money in the military depending on the job, particularly officers. That may be very job specific, I honestly don't know.

Also remember, they volunteer for that duty. I'm sure if he wanted off of the front lines that other possibilities were available, I doubt they force guys into that role who have lost their desire.

It is all on line, every base pay dollar (by rank and year served), every special pay category, bonus, etc. all tidied up.

John Rogers · 02-11-2013, 10:12 AM

I stayed in for a bit past 20 and it nearly killed me from the stress of working with nuclear power (the 16+ REMs of gamma radiation) and the changes that had come along in the 80s. I decided that when I got to 16 years that the retirement was that important and stuck it out. I ended up with 30% disability due to ulcers and intestinal problems and the lady at the medical desk worked hard to get the 30% for me and I never understood why until I applied for social security and the 30% is a factor if they take any SS away and in my case they do not. In this case I am surprised that a desk job or training position was not available and many times that can not be handled when you are in one of the jobs like a SEAL has as it is hard to let go?

speeder · speeder's Garage

I don't know if it's a change in culture or what, but young people seem to think that if it's not broadcast, it didn't happen. There are endless stories of WW2 soldiers who did incredible things in battle that nobody knew about until after they died, etc. Navy ST members are famous for not being famous, at least they used to be. I have a good friend who is a former STM, I have no idea what he specifically did other than he was a dive instructor because he just won't say. He'll freely discuss publicized stories involving the ST and it seems like he knows every last one of them in his age group, (it's a tight community), but that's it.

I know a young guy in L.A. whose family owns a range in Texas that teaches elite LE and others tactical shooting, etc. They employ a number of ex-SF types. I asked him I be knew Chris Kyle, he not only knew him well but Kyle had been at their place 2 days before he was killed. He told me that CK was a really nice guy but that he sort of had a "death wish", in his opinion. That you don't do what he did and write a book about it in your own name, go on 60 Minutes, book tours, etc... That guys who do that job usually keep a super-low profile in civilian life. Of course that's not how he got killed, (AFAIK), but an interesting observation IMO.

gshase · 02-11-2013, 10:26 AM

I would not mind a bit if Obama moved him to White House detail for his last 4 years, but to leave and talk that way to the press is pure unexplainable. He can never go public and say I shot OSB. He made a very poor choice to jump ship with such a short time left.

crustychief · crustychief's Garage

The Navy didn't abandon him, he abandoned the Navy. I do agree to the fact that you get a cold departure. I went from hero to zero in one day but I also understand that the folks at PSD have a job to do to take care of the active duty guys.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-11-2013, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speeder

I don't know if it's a change in culture or what, but young people seem to think that if it's not broadcast, it didn't happen. There are endless stories of WW2 soldiers who did incredible things in battle that nobody knew about until after they died, etc. Navy ST members are famous for not being famous, at least they used to be. I have a good friend who is a former STM, I have no idea what he specifically did other than he was a dive instructor because he just won't say. He'll freely discuss publicized stories involving the ST and it seems like he knows every last one of them in his age group, (it's a tight community), but that's it.

I know a young guy in L.A. whose family owns a range in Texas that teaches elite LE and others tactical shooting, etc. They employ a number of ex-SF types. I asked him I be knew Chris Kyle, he not only knew him well but Kyle had been at their place 2 days before he was killed. He told me that CK was a really nice guy but that he sort of had a "death wish", in his opinion. That you don't do what he did and write a book about it in your own name, go on 60 Minutes, book tours, etc... That guys who do that job usually keep a super-low profile in civilian life. Of course that's not how he got killed, (AFAIK), but an interesting observation IMO.

Very good point. I worked with a guy for several years before I found out he was a former SEAL. It wasn't because he told me either, someone else at work knew someone that knew him while in the service, or something like that. Drawing attention to yourself isn't typically their MO.

74-911 · 02-11-2013, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 911_Dude

I'm very disappointed in this guys attitude. If you quit before 20 no benefits. That's the deal and he knew it the entire 16 years he was in.
Thanks for a job well done. Now quit your whining.

LtC retired Air Force

Agree completely. If I am not mistaken, this is an all volunteer force and there is not a single person in the military these days who is there involuntarily and if he expects to get full retirement benefits before 20 he is either stupid (which I seriously doubt) or expects special treatment because he shot OBL..

Back in the dark ages when I was on active duty and complained about something, all the career types would just tell you to quit your *****ing, nobody forced you to join this mans USAF... but being classified 1A with a very active draft could be rather persuasive.

One termer E-5 USAF Vietnam Era Vet