The Man Who Killed Osama bin Laden... Is Screwed - Dallas Cowboys Forum

joseephuss · 02-11-2013

Long article, but interesting

http://www.esquire.com/features/man-...bin-laden-0313

The Man Who Killed Osama bin Laden... Is Screwed

For the first time, the Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden tells his story — speaking not just about the raid and the three shots that changed history, but about the personal aftermath for himself and his family. And the startling failure of the United States government to help its most experienced and skilled warriors carry on with their lives.

The man who shot and killed Osama bin Laden sat in a wicker chair in my backyard, wondering how he was going to feed his wife and kids or pay for their medical care.

It was a mild spring day, April 2012, and our small group, including a few of his friends and family, was shielded from the sun by the patchwork shadows of maple trees. But the Shooter was sweating as he talked about his uncertain future, his plans to leave the Navy and SEAL Team 6.

He stood up several times with an apologetic gripe about the heat, leaving a perspiration stain on the seat-back cushion. He paced. I didn't know him well enough then to tell whether a glass of his favorite single malt, Lagavulin, was making him less or more edgy.

****************************************

"The Shooter will discover soon enough that when he leaves after sixteen years in the Navy, his body filled with scar tissue, arthritis, tendonitis, eye damage, and blown disks, here is what he gets from his employer and a grateful nation:

"Nothing. No pension, no health care, and no protection for himself or his family.

Read more: Man Who Killed Osama Bin Laden - Treatment of Veteran Who Shot bin Laden - Esquire http://www.esquire.com/features/man-...#ixzz2Kch8FI1O

DFWJC · 02-11-2013

I'll never understand why anyone ever had to know it was ST6 that got Bin-Laden. Our own government outed them...and I think it is why that very team got taken down later in combat.

The shooter is really screwed.
Oh well. We move on.

Denim Chicken · 02-11-2013

and he'll most likely end up taking his own life like 21 other vets a day. Sad.

5Stars · 02-11-2013

That was an incredible read...thank for posting that.

a_minimalist · 02-11-2013

I'm only a little of the way into this but I just wanted to thank you for posting it...like above. It's depressing knowing this guy hasn't been taken care of yet. It's a disgrace actually.

5Stars · 02-11-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by a_minimalist

I'm only a little of the way into this but I just wanted to thank you for posting it...like above. It's depressing knowing this guy hasn't been taken care of yet. It's a disgrace actually.

Read the whole thing...it is definitively worth the time. These are the best warriors out there.

5Stars · 02-11-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFWJC

I'll never understand why anyone ever had to know it was ST6 that got Bin-Laden. Our own government outed them...and I think it is why that very team got taken down later in combat.

The shooter is really screwed.
Oh well. We move on.

What are you talking about? What have I missed?

dexternjack · 02-11-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5Stars

What are you talking about? What have I missed?

Think he is referring to when ST6 was shot down in a chopper or something like that. Quite a few lost their lives but the team that went in for Bin Laden were not involved with that in any way.

5Stars · 02-11-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by dexternjack

Think he is referring to when ST6 was shot down in a chopper or something like that. Quite a few lost their lives but the team that went in for Bin Laden were not involved with that in any way.

That makes sense, thanks for reminding me. I actually recall a little about that.

a_minimalist · 02-11-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5Stars

Read the whole thing...it is definitively worth the time. These are the best warriors out there.

Oh I am!!!

arglebargle · 02-11-2013

He was only four years from retirement. Don't get it.

burmafrd · 02-11-2013

Really pathetic that so many people do not realize just how high a price our soldiers pay.

Actually as bad as it sounds the suicide figure is not that high when you consider what they have been through.

And a ugly fact not publicized by the government is just how many are sent over seas on deployments on medication for mental problems.

Think about that: you have mental problems requiring medication and they send you to a war zone.

Then some wonder why there are suicides.

5Stars · 02-11-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by arglebargle

He was only four years from retirement. Don't get it.

That's what confused me too. But, maybe he needed to spend more time with his kids and wife. But, you would think the Navy could have offered him a desk job if he wanted to wait 4 more years.

Who knows what goes on in there minds...after what they have went through.

dexternjack · 02-11-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5Stars

That makes sense, thanks for reminding me. I actually recall a little about that.

Here is a link to an article about it...

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/interna...7jZjHlB9fmY1bP

punchnjudy · 02-11-2013

Someone should set up a website where people could contribute. The Navy (or someone reputable) could confirm he was the beneficiary without naming him, and then at least he wouldn't have to worry about money. I think a LOT of people would contribute.