The SEAL who killed OBL
02-12-2013, 09:18 AM
#41
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,007
Pretty much. That's what so many before him have done.
But please enlighten us, so we can truly understand his situation.
Everything is conditional...
02-12-2013, 09:18 AM
#42
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2012
Position: Holding over Macho Grande
Posts: 602
02-12-2013, 09:27 AM
#43
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,839
This thread is done.
Too many reminders and infractions to even waste my time on.
Too many reminders and infractions to even waste my time on.
02-12-2013, 09:27 AM
#44
With The Resistance
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Burning the Agitprop of the Apparat
Posts: 6,191
02-12-2013, 09:49 AM
#45
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,045
The US isn't "turning a blind eye" toward these guys. There just isn't any method currently in place to "rack and stack" the personal efforts/sacrifices of each military member and there never has been.
The military would offer the normal pension and medical benefits to this guy if he had been willing to spend another 4 years on active duty. I seriously doubt he would have been turned down if he asked for another assignment in a less demanding billet considering his previous service. I'll bet they could have used him as an instructor at SEAL training. He could have served out his 20 years and had the same thing to show for his time that everyone else does who puts in the same service.
Does he deserve more? You bet, but he's not the first and won't be the last. We don't have "badass" pay on top of normal combat pay or a special 16 year retirement plan and we don't differentiate the benefits between those who really put their asses on the line and those who don't. The system's never been fair and just because some writer at Esquire decides to whine about it on behalf of one of our heros doesn't mean it should or will change. "The Shooter" knew the rules and I'll bet many of his peers and mentors advised him to stick it out for the last 4 years.
I'm sure there were thousands of WW2, Korean War and Vietnam heros/badasses that found themselves on the street after their service with nothing to show for putting their butts on the line. The only difference is most likely those guys didn't have a choice to stay in or get out.
The military would offer the normal pension and medical benefits to this guy if he had been willing to spend another 4 years on active duty. I seriously doubt he would have been turned down if he asked for another assignment in a less demanding billet considering his previous service. I'll bet they could have used him as an instructor at SEAL training. He could have served out his 20 years and had the same thing to show for his time that everyone else does who puts in the same service.
Does he deserve more? You bet, but he's not the first and won't be the last. We don't have "badass" pay on top of normal combat pay or a special 16 year retirement plan and we don't differentiate the benefits between those who really put their asses on the line and those who don't. The system's never been fair and just because some writer at Esquire decides to whine about it on behalf of one of our heros doesn't mean it should or will change. "The Shooter" knew the rules and I'll bet many of his peers and mentors advised him to stick it out for the last 4 years.
I'm sure there were thousands of WW2, Korean War and Vietnam heros/badasses that found themselves on the street after their service with nothing to show for putting their butts on the line. The only difference is most likely those guys didn't have a choice to stay in or get out.
This guy should absolutely stay in for another four, I can't comment on the specifics of elite SOF units, but if such units did exist it's safe to assume that the pointy-end jobs would be volunteer-only and that if you decide to step back there are numerous staff jobs at various units and headquarters commands.
Not sure why he's bailing at 16...if he needs medical help, he'll get it on AD. If he's so bad off he can't do any AD job (highly unlikely for a guy who's good enough to be in that unit), they will give him a medical retirement w/ pension at 16. For you tin-foil hat types, no Naval Special Warfare operator is going to get kicked out at 16 years unless they are court-martialed for a crime. That is simply not possible.
He doesn't need personal security any more than any other current or former team guy as long as he keeps his GD mouth shut. Nobody ELSE is going to toss his name around in public...
But it sounds sort of like he's starting to break cover...maybe he thinks he can rake in a bundle from some publicity.
Also ANY of those guys can get a job in the defense industry...doing sales if nothing else. He's not going to be working at Mcdonalds.
Personally I'd stay anonymous forever...sleep better that way.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
