So what is your opinion of him going public?
Robert O’Neill identified as Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden during 2011 raid in Pakistan | National Post
Media reports have identified Robert O’Neill as the Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden during a 2011 U.S. special forces raid in Pakistan.
Fox News had announced that it would broadcast a two-part series later this month that reveals the identity of the Navy hero, but a U.K. newspaper released his name Wednesday night.
O’Neill, 38, is a decorated veteran who quit after 16 years service and now works as a motivational speaker, according to The Daily Mail.
“A highly-trained Navy SEAL, he led the military’s most elite and was involved in our nation’s most important campaigns,” reads his online biography. “With most of his career shrouded in a classified cloak, O’Neill was the man on the ground we have never heard of but know exists.”
His decision to reveal his identity is considered controversial especially since the top admiral and enlisted man in the U.S. Navy’s SEAL force reminded its members not to disclose classified information for publicity or cash last Friday.
The SEAL leaders said in a letter that a critical part of the team’s ethos is, “I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions.” It is a lifelong commitment, both during and after military service, said Rear Adm. Brian L. Losey, commander of Naval Special Warfare Command, and Force Master Chief Michael L. Magaraci.
With most of his career shrouded in a classified cloak, he was the man on the ground we have never heard of but know exists
“Violators of our Ethos are neither teammates in good standing, nor Teammates who represent Naval Special Warfare,” Losey and Magaraci said in the letter, which Naval Special Warfare Command confirmed as legitimate. “We do not abide willful or selfish disregard for our core values in return for public notoriety and financial gain, which only diminishes otherwise honorable service, courage and sacrifice.”
The SEAL leaders added that they will “actively seek judicial consequence” for any SEAL who discloses classified information and puts families or future operations at risk.
O’Neill first took credit for killing bin Laden in an Esquire article published last year that didn’t reveal his identity. At the time, he cited safety concerns as one of the reasons that he wanted to remain anonymous.
The piece identified him only as “The Shooter,” and he provided details about how the mission came together and frustrations about leaving the military without receiving retirement benefits.
“People are asking if we are worried that ISIS will come and get us because Rob is going public,” Tom O’Neill, told The Daily Mail before the paper published his son’s identity. “I say I’ll paint a big target on my front door and say come and get us.”
In the 15,000-word account published in Esquire, the unnamed member of SEAL Team 6 describes the huge elation — but also the deep personal cost — that came with being the man who killed bin Laden during the raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on May 2, 2011.
Robert O’Neill identified as Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden during 2011 raid in Pakistan | National Post
Media reports have identified Robert O’Neill as the Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden during a 2011 U.S. special forces raid in Pakistan.
Fox News had announced that it would broadcast a two-part series later this month that reveals the identity of the Navy hero, but a U.K. newspaper released his name Wednesday night.
O’Neill, 38, is a decorated veteran who quit after 16 years service and now works as a motivational speaker, according to The Daily Mail.
“A highly-trained Navy SEAL, he led the military’s most elite and was involved in our nation’s most important campaigns,” reads his online biography. “With most of his career shrouded in a classified cloak, O’Neill was the man on the ground we have never heard of but know exists.”
His decision to reveal his identity is considered controversial especially since the top admiral and enlisted man in the U.S. Navy’s SEAL force reminded its members not to disclose classified information for publicity or cash last Friday.
The SEAL leaders said in a letter that a critical part of the team’s ethos is, “I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions.” It is a lifelong commitment, both during and after military service, said Rear Adm. Brian L. Losey, commander of Naval Special Warfare Command, and Force Master Chief Michael L. Magaraci.
With most of his career shrouded in a classified cloak, he was the man on the ground we have never heard of but know exists
“Violators of our Ethos are neither teammates in good standing, nor Teammates who represent Naval Special Warfare,” Losey and Magaraci said in the letter, which Naval Special Warfare Command confirmed as legitimate. “We do not abide willful or selfish disregard for our core values in return for public notoriety and financial gain, which only diminishes otherwise honorable service, courage and sacrifice.”
The SEAL leaders added that they will “actively seek judicial consequence” for any SEAL who discloses classified information and puts families or future operations at risk.
O’Neill first took credit for killing bin Laden in an Esquire article published last year that didn’t reveal his identity. At the time, he cited safety concerns as one of the reasons that he wanted to remain anonymous.
The piece identified him only as “The Shooter,” and he provided details about how the mission came together and frustrations about leaving the military without receiving retirement benefits.
“People are asking if we are worried that ISIS will come and get us because Rob is going public,” Tom O’Neill, told The Daily Mail before the paper published his son’s identity. “I say I’ll paint a big target on my front door and say come and get us.”
In the 15,000-word account published in Esquire, the unnamed member of SEAL Team 6 describes the huge elation — but also the deep personal cost — that came with being the man who killed bin Laden during the raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on May 2, 2011.