The U.S. Navy SEAL who shot and killed Osama bin Laden is speaking out for the first time since the May 1, 2011, raid on the al-Qaida leader's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

In an interview with Esquire, the former SEAL—identified as "The Shooter" due to what the magazine described as "safety" reasons—said he's been largely abandoned by the U.S. government since leaving the military last fall.

He told Esquire he decided to speak out to both correct the record of the bin Laden mission and to put a spotlight on how some of the U.S. military's highly trained and accomplished soldiers are treated by the government once they return to civilian life.

Despite killing the world's most-wanted terrorist, he said, he was not given a pension, health care or protection for himself or his family.

"[SEAL command] told me they could get me a job driving a beer truck in Milwaukee," he told Esquire.

Plus, he said, "my health care for me and my family stopped. I asked if there was some transition from my Tricare to Blue Cross Blue Shield. They said no. You're out of the service, your coverage is over. Thanks for your 16 years. Go f--- yourself."

The problem seems to be that "The Shooter" left the military well before the 20-year requirement for retirement benefits.

(Esquire)

According to the magazine, the government provides 180 days of transitional health care benefits, but the Shooter was ineligible because he did not agree to remain on active duty in a support role or become a "reservist." Instead, the magazine noted, he will "have to wait at least eight months to have his disability claims adjudicated."

The SEAL also gave his account of the historic raid, including the moment he pulled the trigger and shot bin Laden.

“In that second, I shot him, two times in the forehead," he told Esquire. "Bap! Bap! The second time as he’s going down. He crumpled onto the floor in front of his bed. He was dead. I watched him take his last breaths. And I remember as I watched him breathe out the last part of air, I thought: Is this the best thing I've ever done, or the worst thing I've ever done?

"I'm not religious," he added. "But I always felt I was put on the earth to do something specific. After that mission, I knew what it was."

He also recalled watching CNN's coverage of the first anniversary of bin Laden's death.

"They were saying, 'So now we're taking viewer e-mails. Do you remember where you were when you found out Osama bin Laden was dead?' And I was thinking: Of course I remember. I was in his bedroom looking down at his body."

In September 2012, fellow former SEAL Team 6 member Matt Bissonnette published a controversial book, "No Easy Day," under a pen name about the raid, drawing the ire of both his fellow SEALs and the Pentagon.

A spokeswoman for Esquire told Yahoo News that the magazine did not pay the SEAL for the interview.

These SEALS need to just STFU.

i almost agree with you, but i think the interviewer may have scewed what the seal was really saying. he can't be that dumb

I think they deserve better treatment.

Anyone and everyone who has served knows damn well, Gubament ain't got yer back unless, yer bent over and they screwin' ya'.

Actually they do; their gun sights are always on your back. Doesn't matter which 'guberment' you work for as many of us have found out, looking for one that is upfront and honest many have gone looking for rather than becoming a 'civi' again and joining the unemployment lines. After you have done their dirty work for them, they all tell you to get lost and to get out of their country...Sometimes they actually pay you before you leave.

I just wish these SEALS would remain anonymous, silent, mysterious and be feared by the entire world.

The more they talk, the more human they become.

I also think they are telling too much about operations, training, missions, etc..

They just need to STFU!!! And quit writing books too!

i don't think he was treated bad, he didn't follow the rules/regulations to get what he wanted. he was in long enough to know how to get what he wants..

I agree.....he knew how the military pensions and medical worked.

Never a good idea. "Here let's give the enemy our training manual, and while we're at it, maps of our positions with details of our strategy and tactics."

I disagree.

Oh absolutely. The SEALS are even working with the friggin video game makers, showing them how it's really done.

They really need to STFU!!!

Please tell me you people really believe that they will freely give away anything more than some basic tactical maneuvers or formations they no longer use. If someone believes that, then they don't know much about about the military. You know what they want you to know. This doesn't just go for the SEALS.

One retired general is sick of hearing about it from the Navy SEALs. "They’ve been splashing all of this all over the media,” retired Lt. General James Vaught, said at a meeting of the National Defense Industrial Association yesterday. “I flat don’t understand that. If you keep publishing how you do this, the other guy’s going to be ready for you, and he’s going to shoot down every damn helicopter and kill every one of your SEALs. Mark my words. Get the hell out of the media."



The thing that really gets me is the Navy SEALs appear to be "Going Hollywood" and making movies about their exploits. They should remain in the shadows, silent warriors.

Please tell me I am wrong?

that someone can sneak into another country take out a major figure head and get out of that country alive but yet can't figure out a way to get a job or health care in their own country presents a wealth of information to the enemy on how to devise counter measures on how to deal with seal tactics on a pyschological level and even find them

perhaps what some of the seals are doing by going to the media and writing books is actually seals tactics to confuse the enemy ...er...perhaps

Well if I was Al Queda and I wanted to retaliate, I would post the following ad in a Milwaukee paper:

"Wanted, Beer Truck Driver. Top pay and free health insurance. Seeking highly motivated individual, Navy SEAL experience preferred."

Then just wait and see who shows up.

Of course Generals jobs are political these days.

His job is to sell the main narrative, which is being tarnished by reality.

Your wrong, so long as the actions of our government remain secret we can never secure liberty.

wasn't POTUS the first one yapping after the Raid about who he used to do the Deed?

Yep. And he didn't do the seals any favors by shooting his mouth off taking as much credit as possible.

exactly!