Ladies and Gentleman, meet Robert O' Neill
http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/06/politics/s...index.html
I have to question this man's decision in coming forward and revealing this information at this time. It seems to me that by doing this that he's more interested in the money and fame, than any of his other teammates who all risked their lives. There's still a lot of debate about who exactly fired the kill shot. Whether it was Mark Owen A.K.A. Matt Bissonnette, Robert O'Neill, or the mysterious and yet unnamed "Pointman" who at the very least was said to have wounded Bin Laden.
I've also been on a lot of military/special ops forums and it seems like the SEAL/special ops community has already decided to PNG (Persona Non Grata) Mr. O'Neill for his actions in coming forward.
Just making himself a target not sure it's a good idea on his part.
Quote:Ladies and Gentleman, meet Robert O' Neill
http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/06/politics/s...index.html
I have to question this man's decision in coming forward and revealing this information at this time. It seems to me that by doing this that he's more interested in the money and fame, than any of his other teammates who all risked their lives. There's still a lot of debate about who exactly fired the kill shot. Whether it was Mark Owen A.K.A. Matt Bissonnette, Robert O'Neill, or the mysterious and yet unnamed "Pointman" who at the very least was said to have wounded Bin Laden.
I've also been on a lot of military/special ops forums and it seems like the SEAL/special ops community has already decided to PNG (Persona Non Grata) Mr. O'Neill for his actions in coming forward.
His identity has been known quite a while to the media, who chose not to divulge the information. Good for them...
Either way, I'm guessing if that many people knew who he was, the bad guys may too. I'm hoping the US government does him right and protects him the way he deserves for what he's done. That whole Navy SEAL team should be taken care of for life.
Quote:That whole Navy SEAL team should be taken care of for life.
The fact he had to do this interview and another wrote a book tells me they're probably not.
Had he stayed in another 4 years he would be collecting a pension and cheap health care. I'm curious why he chose to get out when he was so close.
Quote:Had he stayed in another 4 years he would be collecting a pension and cheap health care. I'm curious why he chose to get out when he was so close.
I have many military buddies. The reasons for getting out are numerous, and the vast majority, extremely valid.
Quote:The fact he had to do this interview and another wrote a book tells me they're probably not.
Probably, but could you imagine if a terrorist did something to this guy? The government chose not to protect the team that killed Bin Laden. People will lose their minds.
Quote:The fact he had to do this interview and another wrote a book tells me they're probably not.
They offered him a beer delivery route in Michigan. He is complaining of how " they don't take care of their own" after retirement.
After the VA exposure, it makes sense.
On another note however, the rules are rules. You need 20 years to be eligible for benefits. Unless of course you get discharged for medical reasons,etc.
As a curious civilian, I like to hear more of this stuff and how they got the butthole Laden. But deep down, I think the code of silence ! Omertà, is something that bonds these men. It shouldn't be broken.
Then on one more note. Are they slick enough to put out false, misleading info to benefit them and confuse enemies? Feigning outrage?
Clandestine operations are what they are. Smoke and mirrors.
Knowing a few " operators" , they are unassuming, head down low people, who do not thump their chests or take credit for their actions. They don't take the blame either. They don't exist in order to.
Quote:They offered him a beer delivery route in Michigan. He is complaining of how " they don't take care of their own" after retirement.
After the VA exposure, it makes sense.
On another note however, the rules are rules. You need 20 years to be eligible for benefits. Unless of course you get discharged for medical reasons,etc.
As a curious civilian, I like to hear more of this stuff and how they got the [BAD WORD REMOVED] Laden. But deep down, I think the code of silence ! Omertà, is something that bonds these men. It shouldn't be broken.
Then on one more note. Are they slick enough to put out false, misleading info to benefit them and confuse enemies? Feigning outrage?
Clandestine operations are what they are. Smoke and mirrors.
Knowing a few " operators" , they are unassuming, head down low people, who do not thump their chests or take credit for their actions. They don't take the blame either. They don't exist in order to.
This is the part that I find thats interesting. I know a handful of military guys and you rarely hear about anything that happened while they were deployed. I know this is a big story, he may just feel the need to get it out. I still think it was going to come out at some point anyway though.
Quote:I have many military buddies. The reasons for getting out are numerous, and the vast majority, extremely valid.
Of that I have no doubt, but for a service member to voluntarily quit the ranks at 16 years is rather unusual. Most typically decide to finish their time in the reserves if they do muster out before 20. 16 years of active duty is a big investment to willfully walk away from.
Quote:Of that I have no doubt, but for a service member to voluntarily quit the ranks at 16 years is rather unusual. Most typically decide to finish their time in the reserves if they do muster out before 20. 16 years of active duty is a big investment to willfully walk away from.
After what this guy saw and did...I'm sure it takes a toll.
Quote:After what this guy saw and did...I'm sure it takes a toll.
I'm sure it does and that was my first thought when I read it. But I wonder if non-deployable duty was an option if, indeed, that is the case. It's hard to tell with special ops guys. They work in such a closed environment.
I thought most of the guys involved in the Bin-Laden raid had died in a helicopter accident a while back?
Quote:Probably, but could you imagine if a terrorist did something to this guy? The government chose not to protect the team that killed Bin Laden. People will lose their minds.
I was talking more about the financial side. From what I've heard the military treats its veterans the way the NFL treats retired players with head trauma.
Quote:I thought most of the guys involved in the Bin-Laden raid had died in a helicopter accident a while back?
That was a different squadron. DEVGRU's Red Team hit Bin Laden. Gold squad was unfortunately the team that got wiped.
Quote:That was a different squadron. DEVGRU's Red Team hit Bin Laden. Gold squad was unfortunately the team that got wiped.
I believe this guys team is also the team that boarded the boat and saved the captain from the terrorist's that hijacked it?
Quote:I believe this guys team is also the team that boarded the boat and saved the captain from the terrorist's that hijacked it?
Correct. Matt Bissonette mentions the Captain Phillips rescue a couple times in: "No Easy Day".