Posted on 02/15/2013 7:39:35 AM PST by KeyLargo
SEAL who killed Bin Laden reportedly knew he’d lose benefits
Published February 15, 2013
| FoxNews.com
The former Navy SEAL who says he shot Usama bin Laden reportedly knew he was leaving the service well short of a retirement and without benefits, according to the commander of Naval Special Warfare.
The “man who killed" bin Laden — featured in the March issue of Esquire — made headlines earlier this week when the former SEAL asserted was “screwed” and abandoned by the military after losing his military health insurance benefits upon leaving the service in September.
But Rear Adm. Sean Pybus told Navy Times the SEAL knew what he was giving up in leaving the service with 16 years of service, shy of the 20-year retirement mark.
“Concerning recent writing and reporting on ‘The Shooter’ and his alleged situation, this former SEAL made a deliberate and informed decision to leave the NAVY several years short of Retirement status,” Pybus said. “Months ahead of his separation, he was counseled on status and benefits, and provided with options to continue his career until Retirement eligible. Claims to the contrary in these matters are false.”
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Because congressional benefits and perks are passed into law by congressmen whereas military benefits and perks are also passed into law by congressmen.
Also it seems he’s playing the “victim card” . Doesn’t that go against everything they teach you in any Special Ops?
I’m sure lots of Blackwater type companies would pay a SEAL with 16 years of experience on top of killing Bin Ladin lot’s just to have him around.
I agree with the article. I know several guy sretiring or leaving and all of them have said there are information programs in place that tell them exactly what they will get and not get. It’s not like the “old” days where you let and were presented with nearly nothing for information. That SEAL knew what he would and would not be getting.
I left the Navy after nine years. With a one-year-old and a three-year-old at home, the probability of the next six years (and rumored to be going to eight) on sea duty was a bit much. My only regret is not joining the Reserves.
I regard a portion of my Social Security as a pension for what we got politically screwed out of by the Haydens and Fondas in Congress, in not being allowed to win the war in Vietnam, which we were perfectly capable of doing and should have done.
“How come they have to wait 20 years for any benefits and congressional members only have to serve one term to get full benefits and perks?”
Urban legend...completely innacurate.
Don't get me wrong, I respect your husband's service, and I respect your patience. It's not easy being in the military, or being a military spouse. But any "promises" in terms of benefits could be changed at any time, and if I learned anything from being in the service, it's that the government has the ultimate power in these situations.
The only "Veteran's Preference" I recall is that if you applied for a government job after you left the service, you would be given "points" for each year of service, which would ultimately go toward your hiring criteria.
And as for medical benefits, if you were injured or eligible for any kind of disability related to your service, you could get payment and/or ongoing care. Anything beyond that is up for debate.
Sheer numbers.
Congress critters get free health care for life after one term in office at our expense. Let’s make them have the same health care that we do and also make them pay their fair share of taxes!
I suspect this whole dubious story is part of an anti-military campaign by the left.
That’s what most of the guys I know did. Just couldn’t put up with the BS anymore. They weren’t SEALs though, those guys are different.
There are exceptions, but they are infrequent, and you damned well know if you are one of the exceptions.
Yes, the media will do all they can to smear the military.
Still, I don’t see this SEAL coming out anywhere and saying the obvious.....I knew what I was doing, I’m not a dolt, and I knew full well that I don’t get retirement bennies until the twenty year mark.
This is all b.s.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.