Esquire article: Killer of OBL now jobless, no benefits

[Stegall Law Firm]

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.

Read more: Man Who Killed Osama Bin Laden - Treatment of Veteran Who Shot bin Laden - Esquire http://www.esquire.com/features/man-who-shot-osama-bin-laden-0313#ixzz2KbTiinbK

[Guest Cogent Design]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought every active service member received some sort of pension if they were in for a set period of time? Does 16 years not meet that qualification?

[1gewehr]

Nope, you need to stay in at least 20 to get anything.

[DMark]

........ I thought every active service member received some sort of pension if they were in for a set period of time? Does 16 years not meet that qualification?

 

No.

 

Must have at least 20 years to retire.

 

And you have to stay alive while folks are trying to kill you over those 20 years.

[Guest Cogent Design]

Well, I feel ignorant. That sucks. I wish the system was different.

 

I guess I'll be sure to keep dishing out my thanks to the veterans... :usa:

[Guest 6.8 AR]

And that's a shame for someone who did this kind of stuff for his country. That guy in the article ranks the highest in my book.

[mcurrier]

I thought BHO killed OBL?  I'm confused.

 

[Dolomite_supafly]

There are early retirements available. They are offered periodically and 15 year is offered. I do believe congress approved 15 year retirements last year for certain jobs.

Dolomite

[TripleDigitRide]

This is especially sickening, considering our government doesn't appear to have any reservations when I comes to supporting the scumbags who have done little more than mooch off of productive members of society. Our priorities are f****d.

[pitt2magic]

Hey but 2 years in Congress gets you top tier benefits for life.  Pretty screwed up system.

[TMF]

I know that this is going to sound harsh, but the guy in question is not so naive to expect that he would get out and have an awesome job waiting for him. He only had a few years left until retirement and he got out for some reason. Perhaps the reasons made sense, such as wanting to spend more time at home or do something not so dangerous, but Dev group is an all volunteer unit. Leaving that unit doesn't mean the end of your career in the Navy or even the SEAL community. Getting out was a choice he made for himself and that choice comes with risks and consequences that he owns. His situation is not unique, just the guy he got to kill.

I'm just making an assumption here, but I'd figure a guy like that who'd spent that much time in Dev group would have acquired enough clout to work himself into an instructor gig somewhere in the SEAL pipeline if he needed a break. That would have gotten him off the line for the remainder of his career and netted him his retirement benefits which include pay and family medical for life through Tricare. Beside that, due to his former job he is qualified for a whole boatload of jobs which pay very well and don't involve carrying a weapon. I don't think he's whining about it or anything, I think it is just the perspective that the author is trying to wrap the story around, but he seriously needs to get with his SEAL contacts in the civilian sector and he'll have a job in a matter of weeks.

I do agree with the stuff regarding initiatives with companies to hire guys with such skill sets. I don't think many US companies realize the potential value of a person who has had a successful special ops career, and many of the military transitional programs focus on entry level employment, not professional level. Essentially folks like this have already been vetted in terms of being loyal, ethical, moral, dedicated and hard working. They've endured several gates which few make passage and many are weeded out. If employers were aware of that stuff I'd think they'd competing to head hunt these guys.

[Randall53]

I thought BHO killed OBL?  I'm confused.

 

 

Ain't that the freak'n truth!!...LOL.  I seem to remember Obama used "I" about 32 times during the announcement of the raid.  :snore:

[TSprint1]

Looks like the Navy did offer early retirement to some folks that were not selected for retention but who had at least 15 years active service:

http://www.military.com/military-report/navy-early-retirement-guidance   I doubt that the Navy SEAL qualified for that program.

I have some friends that retired from the Navy with 18 years active.  They said that they got extra credit for time at sea and were transferred to the retired reserve for two years... to complete their 20.  Don't know if they still have that program or not.

[vontar]

Hey but 2 years in Congress gets you top tier benefits for life.  Pretty screwed up system.

 

I want to do away with that part of the system.  They are not royalty and even if they where I would be against it.

[Sam1]

I wonder if there is any way to set up a legit fund for this guy if the infocould be validated? I'd gladly forward our tax refund right to his ass if he needs it to get readjusted.

[DMark]

I don't know....., read the entire Esquire story and there is something missing.

 

Why did he leave at 16 years?  

 

Doesn't make sense to me.

[Slpeod]

Nice article, regardless I'm sure something else will follow for him. He made his decision, he could have become a leaf eater for the last few years and taken his retirement. No need to feel anything for him, he wasn't screwed over - the man made a decision.

[Guest ThePunisher]

"My name is Obamabo and I will draw first blood from all you bible reading and gun clinging rednecks from the south, and I'm gonna take away your black evil assult rifles and your semi-auto pistols".
 

[JeffL]

Dude needs to tough out 4 more years if he wants retirement benefits, simple as that. I don't know why this is even news.

[Sam1]

I don't know....., read the entire Esquire story and there is something missing.

 

Why did he leave at 16 years?  

 

Doesn't make sense to me.

 

My guess is burned out from the seals and couldn't take working in the normal ranks any longer. I think almost all of them get out immediately after they get out of the seals, except for the ones that are able to retire from within. It would sort of be like Donald Trump getting demoted to door greeter for years in his own building so he could retire with a 35% pension.

[TMF]

It is not typical for enlisted SEALs to go into the conventional Navy. There are, however, many jobs within the SEAL community in the Navy that would take you off the line. At any rate, it was his choice to get out, not the Navy's so they have no responsibility to give him anything he isn't owed. The one thing he is owed is some sort of protection program, since his own government told the enemy who killed the leader of their organization. Once his name leaks out, which it will, he and his family will have a target on their back for the rest of their life.

Edited February 12, 2013 by TMF

[Guest USCavScout]

I read the article and some others in regards to this article about the "Shooter". For one thing like any Special Operation person will say, they do not beat their chests on what they did or what they do and come out to say the things he did. I have met a few guys in the SoF World and they will not discuss anything about their jobs or beat their chests, that is why they are called the "Quite Professional's". As for getting out at 16 years he would have received a severance package of some sort to include Medical Benefits for at least 5 years. I know I just retired as of today 12 Feb 2013 and I know service members that did not retire that get a medical package to use to get them on their feet. They are offered all kinds of benefits that will help them on the outside to include resume writing and job interview classes.. This whole story is a bunch of crap, oh I cannot get a JOB that is BS. Those guys are offered consulting jobs in the DoD world because of what they know and do, for him to say that is does not know what he's gonna do is CRAP. Just a note the magazine is ran by the LEFT and donated to the reelection of Obama. Just like the SEAL that wrote "No Easy Day", he was SHUNNED by the SEAL community and this will most likely happen to this guy too. He basically BACK STABBED his fellow SEALS for talking.

[TMF]

For some reason I can't use the quote button on my ipad, but to the above poster there is no "severance package" for medical. I got out after 11 years and got squat. The 5 year medical you speak of is from the VA and only applies to you, not your family. In order for me to go to the doctor I'd better have broken bones or a temp of 110 degrees and be on death's door. When you have kids it is different. When I got out I was on the Tricare family plan that you can pay into for 18 months, which costs $2,200 quarterly. That is not cheap at all.

I'm not complaining or anything, getting out was my choice, but don't mistake the VA benefits to mean anything for the family if a separating Servicemember. Plus, it takes a little more than the separation briefings and resume writing classes to land a good job. I ACAP'd several years ago. The stuff they prepare you for is for entry level stuff, not the professional world. It seems like it is all geared to lower enlisted, not folks who have those certain skill sets like the gentleman in question.

Edit: just to add, there is NO severance package of any kind for honorably discharged service members who leave before retirement. Ironically, the folks who receive severance pay and medical benefits past their separation date are people who have been booted out. Funny how that works. Edited February 12, 2013 by TMF

[Guest USCavScout]

Now the ACAP process is 2 weeks long and it goes more in detail on job interviews and resume writing. Fort Carson was the pilot for the NEW and IMPROVED program for the Army. As for Tri-Care it is now Humania and for me and my family we only pay $587 a year for complete medical except dental which is about $1500 a year. I was told this when I out processed from the hospital and from Tri-Care  . As for severance packages I know Soldiers that only had 5 years in and got a little under $10,000 and a few I know who got out with less than 15 years and got close to $50,000 minus taxes taken out. If I had taken a severance package I would have gotten close to $80,000 minus taxes. There is a severance chart to show what you would get no matter if you had 1 year in all the way to 19 years in. As for saying its just Soldiers booted out who are getting this is TOTALLY wrong, all Soldiers no matter the reason why their are being put out either by ETSing or chapter get a severance pay.

[TMF]

Now the ACAP process is 2 weeks long and it goes more in detail on job interviews and resume writing. Fort Carson was the pilot for the NEW and IMPROVED program for the Army. As for Tri-Care it is now Humania and for me and my family we only pay $587 a year for complete medical except dental which is about $1500 a year. I was told this when I out processed from the hospital and from Tri-Care  . As for severance packages I know Soldiers that only had 5 years in and got a little under $10,000 and a few I know who got out with less than 15 years and got close to $50,000 minus taxes taken out. If I had taken a severance package I would have gotten close to $80,000 minus taxes. There is a severance chart to show what you would get no matter if you had 1 year in all the way to 19 years in. As for saying its just Soldiers booted out who are getting this is TOTALLY wrong, all Soldiers no matter the reason why their are being put out either by ETSing or chapter get a severance pay.

 

 

I don't know where you get that information.  I served 11 years, discharged honorably and no one gets squat, unless they are chaptered.  The only folks that do are people who have the option of early retirement.  There have been certain MOSs that had the option of retiring early for lump sum and whatnot, but that is not available to everyone.  And no, you don't get Tricare, Humana or ANY OTHER HEALTH CARE when you separate unless you are chaptered out or medically retired.  The VA is what you're talking about in regard to 5 years of coverage, but that does not include your family.  The health care you pay into is not available to folks who just ETS.  Your information is absolutely false.