Is "Shooter" really a SEAL

[grumpyMSG]

I know asking this question is going to rankle some folks on here, but I feel it is one that needs to be asked? Is the person claiming to be the man who killed Bin Laden really him?

Please just hear me out on this: SEALs are some of the best and brightest the Navy has to offer, they are used to meticulous planning and training for operations like the one that took down Bin Laden. They literally built a compound as close as possible (using what intelligence was available), to train for the mission to take him down. They are used to requesting and receiving a huge amount of support to facilitate both training and missions. That is what makes them so good at what they do. So now I am supposed to believe an article in Esquire that this Sailor received no out-processing? I left the active duty Army in 1986, I was given a checklist with about 15-20 different places I had to visit in the last 2 weeks I was on post. I was given those 10 working days to hit those stations. At those various locations I did everything from ensure I had no outstanding tickets, to turning in my equipment, to receiving out-briefings about the benefits I was entitled to. When National Guard units return from a rotation overseas, they go through a demobilization process which is very similar, again receiving briefings about the benefits they are entitled to. In most instances they are encouraged to complete the paperwork to be enrolled in the VA system and even to coordinate which facilities will best support the Veteran's needs. For example the Salem VA Hospital has two case managers assigned to assist OIF/OEF Veterans, if a nearby Virginia or West Virginia unit returns and they will go assist the unit to sign up for benefits.

So here it is in a nutshell, a 2+2=5 moment (there is extra stuff there and I can't explain it): One of the Navy's best, decided not to re-enlist after 16 years (4 short of earning a retirement, he had to know it), doesn't know what benefits he is entitled to, who is used to having a plan A, a plan B (and probably plan C, when A and B fall apart), left the service with no plan. That just seems completely out of character for anybody who served more than 10 years (the usual stay the 20 or quit and go home decision point).

Pick your own supporting link:
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/02/11/se ... w-jobless/
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/esq ... 15575.html

[Gotlabs]

I don't know about the validity of his occupation while still active, but the "I didnt know" is Lance Corporalish/Seamanish. Also, the info is second hand. I know a lot of civilians think military rate stuff regardless of when they EAS. The dude could have just said "Me and my family do not have any health care..." And the author put his own spin on it. And yes, military is HUGE on educating you before seperating, but the info is only as good as the receiver interprets it. Who knows, he may have gaffed the training off and never went.

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[Gotlabs]

I find it very odd so many of these guys get out so close to retirement.

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[rlbellco72]

grumpyMSG, I am having a hard time believing it myself. I retired in 1992 and had to go through transition training for transitioning to civilian life. I know the Navy still does that.

[skeeterss0]

Yes all the services now have some sort of transition training to prepare the military members for civi life. Usually someone from VA attends to inform the members what they are entitlled to.

[PhantomPhixer]

I didn't have any trouble believing the article. The impression it left me was that there should be some extra level of support for these super-trained guys when they get out, but there isn't. They implied it is more difficult for these guys to adjust, and that they have more to offer a civilian company than your average serviceman. As to why the shooter got out at 16 instead of 20, I think the article was pretty clear that a) his health was deteriorating, b) his marriage was deteriorating, c) he didn't think he would live through another 4 years, and d) he wanted to be alive when his kids graduated. Why he didn't just put in for a re-assignment, who knows, but I could certainly understand if the dude was so burned out that he just wanted to exit.

I'll just add that my wife worked for the Air Force I.G. office out of the Pentagon for the last few years before she retired, and handled cases ALL THE TIME where service men and women somehow slipped through the cracks upon exiting the military, or their benefits were held up for unknown reasons. Perfect example, after she retired, it took almost two full years just for her to receive her DD214. Fortunately, she wasn't trying to apply for benefits, or needing to get into a VA hospital. Much of the outprocessing these days is done online, and it is very difficult to get straight answers from a real person to your questions. At least, that has been her experience.

[Jakeiscrazy]

Its not exactly true that he completely jobless by bad luck he just doesn't want to do the job he could be good at at least according to the article. He doesn't want to be a contractor because theirs risk involved and he doesn't want to train people because he doesn't want to every have to hold a weapon again for his occupation. He could do those jobs but he doesn't want to.

If I were his family I would force him to get a job even if it payed next to nothing. Having something to do and not spending all day thinking can make the difference in whether a little depression spirals into something big.

[jdonovan]

. That just seems completely out of character for anybody who served more than 10 years (the usual stay the 20 or quit and go home decision point).

The only time I've ever seen such, is when there was a forced termination of service, which I don't think is the case here.

It seems this person does not want to work in and around the mil/defense biz, and doesn't want to be associated with training/firearms/security. Kinda limits your options for an experience/age appropriate job/pay-rate.

I'm fairly sure if I decided to walk out the front door of my office today, and say after almost 20 years of getting good at my trade I don't want to do that kind of work anymore, it might be kinda hard to support my family.

[davasmith]

Its called burn out. I've experienced it myself a time or two. As for why short of retirement he probably just needed to clear his head, his thoughts and his family. Good on him for knowing when enough was enough!

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[FiremanBob]

Hard to say whether the article is a hoax or not. I wouldn't put it past Esquire mag.

I also find it hard to believe that, if the story is real, the Navy would not find an assignment that would fit the guy's needs until retirement. A SEAL has valuable knowledge, skills and experience and there has to be a training/education role in which he could leverage his knowledge by making large numbers of his comrades more competent. From a manager's point of view, not trying to keep a guy like him would be a really stupid decision.

But I also know that even our military is not immune to stupidity.