How we treat our heroes......disgusting

[RIJIMMY]

Originally Posted by nightfighter

Report: SEAL who shot bin Laden faces uncertain future


Something is just plain wrong in our society.... Easy to single this soldier out and get sick at his future's plight. He deserves better. Much better! As do all our veterans. (The suicide rate is a scream for help that is continuing to fall on deaf ears here at home....) But no, our elected officials would rather be all PC and be placating other calls for their attentions, such as all the illegals, before taking care of those who have FOUGHT for our country.... Makes me want to puke.

When i first read this my reaction was the same as yours, but then I read the comments below the article and many people, who were obviouisly military, made some very good points. This guy chose to leave after 16 years and he MUST have known he would not have retirement benefits or medical. 4 more years and he would be set for life. Its not like he should be suprised. It sounds to me like this guy dindt plan and perhaps was looking to cash in on his expereince and could not do that in the military. I agree our soliders do not get paid and rewarded for their service but this guy is a 16 yr vet and should know better before leaving.

[nightfighter]

OR, maybe his heart, head, or soul told him he was done... Maybe he felt his skillset had lost its edge, for whatever reason. Have you never woken up and said "I'm done" with something in your life? I know some of these guys. From my perspective, if one of them felt they had lost that edge, the next mission might well be their last. We here at home cannot judge what is in their heads, what they have seen, or what memories live with them. Many who serve live with scars we cannot see.

[GregW]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

When i first read this my reaction was the same as yours, but then I read the comments below the article and many people, who were obviouisly military, made some very good points. This guy chose to leave after 16 years and he MUST have known he would not have retirement benefits or medical. 4 more years and he would be set for life. Its not like he should be suprised. It sounds to me like this guy dindt plan and perhaps was looking to cash in on his expereince and could not do that in the military. I agree our soliders do not get paid and rewarded for their service but this guy is a 16 yr vet and should know better before leaving.

Jimmy,
There is certainly more to the story than we'll ever know. I think the bigger story is that t here aren't many options for him other than the military. Seems like a guy who just had had enough, and wanted to be home more than two months a year, no matter the cost.
Maybe he should have looked into staying and transferring to a new unit, but who knows all the details.
But, at the end of the day don't forget you are the guy who moved to Texas to spend more time with your kids, complaining that your commute was too long.