Whatever Happened to the SEAL Code of Silence?

Two former US Navy SEALs that took part in the raid at Osama bin Laden’s compound three years ago have told opposing versions of who ultimately killed the Al-Qaeda founder. The dispute over events is now materializing as both seek the spotlight.

  RT

I wondered if that would happen.

In [self-aggrandizing, glory hound Rob] O’Neill’s version of events, as told to Esquire in 2013, the “point man” in the Abbottabad, Pakistan raid tackled two women as “the shooter” [himself] advanced, killing Bin Laden in another room.

[...]

In ‘No Easy Day’, Mark Bissonnette, writing under the pseudonym ‘Mark Owen’, said the first person to enter bin Laden's room, the “point man,” was the SEAL to kill Bin Laden.

[...]

Bissonnette is scheduled to release next week a second book, titled ‘No Hero’, about his time as a SEAL.

So I wonder if that means he’s claiming the kill himself, or if “the shooter” was a third person. Most likely the former.

Bissonnette’s first book has already drawn ire from the Pentagon. He refused to offer the federal government a draft of ‘No Easy Day’ for legal review, and he is now under investigation for potentially disclosing classified information from the raid. He has said he was frustrated by who could and could not speak of the mission in the ensuing months.

“Everybody and their brother was talking about this,” Bissonnette said, according to NBC News. “How can you be holding it against me?”

Has he not been paying attention?

After an illustrious military career that included dozens of decorations, O’Neill, 38, has since left the Navy and works as a motivational speaker based on his 16 years in the service. He reportedly decided to come forward in public after frustration over the loss of veterans’ benefits, as he did not serve a full 20-year term as is the standard for certain allowances from the service.

Was he unaware of the rules?

 ...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

That's himself.  Whatever happened to the SEAL Code of Selflessness?

Storm Troopers:  The Empire Strikes Again

Isn't This the Sort of Thing That Knocked the Legs Out from Under the Mob?

New generations who sought glory and notoriety? Who broke the codes and rules of the old dons? 

Former Navy Seal Robert O’Neill, the man who actually shot Bin Laden, has left the Seals and is cashing in on his former role by going on speaking engagements. Well-paid ones, no doubt. The Seals organization is not happy.

“We do not abide wilful or selfish disregard for our core values in return for public notoriety and financial gain, which only diminishes otherwise honorable service, courage and sacrifice.”

“All members exposed to classified information have a duty obligation to protect this information, regardless of what may be reflected in the media, accurately or otherwise,” they added.

“We will actively seek judicial consequence for members who willfully violate the law, and place our Teammates, our Families, and potential future operations at risk.”

As for risks of coming forward that do not include the Pentagon’s wrath, [O'Neill's father Tom] said he and his son are not worried about retribution.

“People are asking if we are worried that ISIS (militant jihadist group Islamic State) will come and get us because Rob is going public,” he told the Daily Mail.

“I say I'll paint a big target on my front door and say come and get us.”

  RT

His father also asked what people expected his hero son to do now, work as a Walmart greeter?  God forbid.  That's for the lesser soldiers who lost limbs doing something much less glamorous.

I think it’s safe to say, “Like father, like son.”

Of course, the younger O'Neill is just following in the footsteps of the glory-seeking administration that leaked information about the operation for a Hollywood movie.

...and hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

UPDATE:  November 8