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Ron and Don are helping raise money to cover one year's salary for the Navy SEAL who shot and killed Osama bin Laden at this compound in Pakistan. (AP file)

Help raise one year's salary for the SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden

BY Libby Denkmann  on February 11, 2013 @ 6:05 pm (Updated: 9:32 pm - 2/12/13 )

The former SEAL who shot Osama bin Laden gets no pension or protection from the military after 16 years of service.

As "The Shooter" puts it, there is no landing pad for guys like him leaving the Navy. "Thanks for your sixteen years. Go f— yourself," he told Pulitzer Prize winner Phil Bronstein in Esquire. Bronstein offers a troubling account of what life is like for the man who killed the most notorious terrorist the world has ever seen in a new story with the Center for Investigative Reporting.

The Shooter tells Bronstein that he left the service 36 months before the minimum 20 years needed for retirement. His Tricare health insurance ended the day he left the Navy.

Bronstein talked to The Shooter's wife about his situation:

The loss of income and insurance and no pension aside, she can no longer walk onto the local base if she feels a threat to her family. They've surrendered their military IDs. If something were to happen, the Shooter has instructed her to take the kids to the base gate anyway and demand to see the commanding officer, or someone from the SEAL team. "He said someone will come get us."

Because of the mission, she says that "my family is always going to be at risk. It's just a matter of finding coping strategies."

The Shooter still dips his hand in his pocket when they're in a store, checking for a knife in case there's an emergency. He also keeps his eyes on the exits.

He's lost some vision, he can't get his neck straight for any period of time. Right now, she's just waiting to see what he creates for himself in this new life.

And she's waiting to see how he replaces even the $60,000 a year he was making (with special pay bonuses for different activities). Or how they can afford private health insurance that covers spinal injections she needs for her own sports injuries.

"This is new to us, not having the team."

The Shooter also talked about his financial situation:

"I still have the same bills I had in the Navy," the Shooter tells me when we talk in September 2012. But no money at all coming in, from anywhere.

"I just want to be able to pay all those bills, take care of my kids, and work from there," he says. "I'd like to take the things I learned and help other people in any way I can."

Monday on The Ron and Don Show, the guys declared, "We can do better."

The show launched a fundraising page to benefit The Shooter and his family.

"Let's help him start a new chapter by raising a 'pension' with thanks from the American people," said Don.

All donations are tax-deductible. Everything (except a 3 percent IndieGoGo platform fee) will go to a fund for The Shooter set up with Crimestoppers of Tacoma/Pierce County.

Libby Denkmann, Ron & Don Show Producer
Libby Denkmann is producer of KIRO Radio's The Ron & Don Show (weekdays 3-7). Libby is always on the run - literally.
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Comments (69)


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  • Regularjoe44 wrote...
    R&D, you finally figured it out...
    February 11, 2013 6:55 pm
    ...it's the shooter that does the killing, not the scary gun.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mpgunner wrote...
    messiah101????
    February 11, 2013 6:58 pm
    I'd love you to say that to his face which you would have for only a short time. These men are exceptional and doing a lot of dirty work. But, if I had a company I'd hire him on the spot. These guys are so much smarter than MOST people.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • O-town listener wrote...
    I agree with the questioners..
    February 11, 2013 7:19 pm
    I'm not passing judgement because I haven't heard the full story. Anytime I hear a story like this without even an attempt at an explanation for why he left (maybe it was played on the radio?) after 17 years with only 3 to go I have to be a little skeptical.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    It happens more than you think
    February 11, 2013 7:31 pm
    I had 16 years, wanted to do 20. But a Reduction in forces came down and anybody with the slightest issue was booted with a medical discharge. No exceptions. At the time I was in they would let you go 4 years on Limited duty for retirement.

    But the Admiral in charge said letter of the law was 18 and 1 day for Limited thus 200 of us sent packing at Bethesda. All with 19.9% disability.

    Why 19.9. You can appeal 10%, it takes 30% to get a retirement ID. Thus Appeal would only get you 29.9%

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Rickw7 "Slightest Issue"?
    February 12, 2013 5:00 pm
    Meaning what exactly?And what was your issue?Did you have a medical issue that could effect your ability to do your duty?Why didn't they pro-rate your 16 yrs (40% of base pay)?Since you got a medical discharge is it tax free and do you still have heath benefits
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Meaning if they found any minor thing
    February 13, 2013 4:55 am
    Mine was shoulder impingement which means I could not be a flight engineer any more. I could have done my job as an Aviation Electrician, but since FE was critical I could not revert.

    there were all kinds of things, one E7 I met had a slight heart Murmur, which could or could not have been an issue, but was discharged with 17 years in.

    No they do not pro-rate retirement in the military, you either make 20 or you get nothing

    Medical Discharge is what we go. You got a tax free check for basically 1 year of pay. And no I do not have any health benefits from the military, your basically cut free.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Rickw7
    February 13, 2013 9:12 am
    You got a RAW deal.Have you attempted to link up with other Vets who also got early discharges,especially those with 4 or less years till they hit the 20 yr mark?Their is strength in numbers and if a large group of Vets with a common cause could get a few Senators or Congressmen on their side perhaps some type of further compensation could be achieved.Sen MCcain is supposedly pro vet as is the new nominee for SOD,Chuck Hagel.I realize that civilian workers got axed also many in my wife's company got 2 weeks pay for each year and shown the door,but many people join the US Military for the pension program ONLY and should get some vesting after 15 yrs or so
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Donkey wrote...
    really...
    February 11, 2013 7:21 pm
    .... and what are you doing for all the others that have put their lives on the line and are in this same situation? How can you seriously be surprised you have military people contacting you in anger? Sure, this guy got to take out BL, but only because that was his mission. And, just like any other soldier would have done if he were told to. Bah...
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  • Cash wrote...
    I am guessing
    February 11, 2013 7:21 pm
    That his career is over because of the raid and because of everything that had happened. I am curious why President Obama needed to go into so much detail and not just say we took out Bin Laden and not get this team all wrapped up in it. Now the media can't let go and there could be way more to his career ending than he just quit.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • wsualumn wrote...
    Cash
    February 11, 2013 8:05 pm
    Why didn't Obama avoid the details? Because The RWNJ would complain he didn't offer enough details and they couldn't possibly accept the fact that it actually took place. Even with all of the details given, there are many that believe the raid never took place, those involved were sworn to secrecy about it never happening, and that he was dead years before. How do I know this? Because I know a RWNJ that says all of this garbage.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Mavila wrote...
    Well, I don't know about all of that...
    February 11, 2013 8:40 pm
    but The Shooter stayed in the Team 6 unit for at least one more 4 month deployment after the OBL hit. He said he was burned out (not the basis of a disability claim, I know, but that's what he said). Incidentally, I don't know anyone that doesn't believe the raid took place (it was really an assassination to be honest).
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Mavila wrote...
    Meant to say...
    February 11, 2013 9:05 pm
    I don't know anyone who DOESN'T think the raid took place.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CldWtrSrf wrote...
    wsualumn...."those involved were sworn to secrecy about it never happening"
    February 11, 2013 8:45 pm
    Don't forget about all the ones that got loaded onto a chopper to supposedly provide "covering fire" for a Ranger Team that apparently wasn't even there and blow out of the sky.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Mavila wrote...
    The Navy Seals are pretty much sworn to secrecy...
    February 11, 2013 8:58 pm
    on everything they do. The Bronstein article goes into that. There's a poignant part where The Shooter gives his dad a phone call before the mission, words to the effect, "I'm going to work." But no detail more than that. The Shooter thought it was going to be his last conversation with his dad and I'm sure the significance of the call didn't escape his dad either. If you think about, that's a difficult concept to wrap your head around - internalizing all of that. Can't say a thing to your own family.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleNative wrote...
    Why didn't Obama avoid the details?
    February 12, 2013 8:43 am
    Because it made him look like the BMOC. All puffy-chested and what not.

    For some reason, however, he couldn't bring himself to telling anything remotely truthful about Benghazi down the home stretch into the election.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    These guys are so much smarter than MOST people?
    February 11, 2013 7:25 pm
    to shoot someone's brains out brains out? Would you hire a gangbanger too.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Mavila wrote...
    Read...
    February 11, 2013 7:46 pm
    the Bronstein article if you want to learn something about these warriors. It will give you some terrific insight.

    And, no, gangbangers are nothing like our men and women in uniform.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    CH - you're a facking waste....
    February 12, 2013 9:18 am
    I was a soldier to... am i just a gangbanger you facking piece of trash? This man and men and women like him sign up to serve their country to defend it from it's enemies and make sure you have the freedoms you enjoy every day. Because of these men you don't have to worry about the horrors of war on our home soil, and you degrade them to the point of referring to them as gangbangers? you ungrateful piece of garbage! Oh and by the way, Soldiers aren't stupid, every soldier is at least a graduate from Highschool, every Officer is college graduate and Special Forces only brings on men of higher intelligence. These men are smarter than you i guarantee it. CH I don't know you personally but i can tell you flat out anybody that disrespects the members of the armed services is a piece of human garbage.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    CBREW
    February 12, 2013 5:10 pm
    "Because of these men you don't have to worry about the horrors of war on our home soil" Give it a BREAK.Our military involvement makes the USA and its citizens MORE prone to attack.But even taking that FACT into account your or my chances of getting hit by a meteor are greater then getting killed by an Al Qaeda member here in the USA and EVERY soldier who has lost his life in Iraq and Afghanistan has been worthless in providing security for us in the USA.Knowing what we know about whats happening in Afghanistan would you tel your child that they should join up and help keep America safe?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    Messiah101 you live in a ret#rted fantasy world....
    February 13, 2013 8:05 am
    Everything you just said is so stupid and pathetic that i can't even begin to understand where you're coming from. You think because the US has a strong defense we're more likely to get attacked? you're stupid. Furthermore as i said soldiers do not choose where they go, the elected Government representatives do, if you are mad that we're fighting overseas, be mad at them not soldiers who are upholding their oath to follow the orders of the President elected by the PEOPLE of the United States, oh and as for the comment about a meteor, are you facking stupid? 3000 people died on 9/11, how many people have died from a meteor in the past 10... 20... 100 years? none you idiot. and as far as if i had a child would i allow them to join the military? You bet your sorry worthless butt i would, I served this nation and if my child wanted to do the same i would be proud.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    CBREW, I'm stupid??,Look what you said
    February 13, 2013 9:19 am
    I mentioned that because of our "involvement" in places like Iraq and Afghanistan it makes us more prone to attack.If you allowed a misguided child of yours to put his life on the line in Afghanistan believing that he was doing so to make America safe then he's as BIG an IDIOT as you seem to be.I believe anyone with two bits worth of brains would have understood my "Meteor" remark,its too bad you got short changed .20 cents
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Uh, CH ? The bad guys Seals go after shoot back.
    February 12, 2013 1:15 pm
    Neither you nor a gangbanger would have the smarts to survive 6 hours.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Mavila wrote...
    America's finest...
    February 11, 2013 7:36 pm
    deserve better.

    This Bronstein article is really a great read.

    I have to wonder, though, why didn't The Shooter stay in the Navy? I'm sure he could have secured a transfer to some sort of training instructor job, or other non-combat job near home to complete the remaining four years.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • deltta wrote...
    What if?
    February 11, 2013 7:44 pm
    They were supposed to capture not kill?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Mavila wrote...
    I can't say for certain...
    February 11, 2013 8:04 pm
    but if you read the article, it doesn't sound like capture was thought to be a realistic goal. They probably could have done it, though, as the compound wasn't very well defended and OBL and his family were taken totally by surprise.

    But the Navy Seals expected booby traps, suicide vests (there were several people living in the compound), and all that, so it appears the orders were to shoot on sight, which they pretty much did according to this account. OBL didn't have a gun in his hand, but they weren't taking any chances in case he had a grenade or other explosive device. The Shooter took him out right away without any attempt to take OBL into custody. It doesn't appear that it was even a consideration in this account.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • deltta wrote...
    Mavila
    February 11, 2013 8:11 pm
    Thats pretty much in line with the official WH story.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Moondoggie wrote...
    Phil Bronstein
    February 11, 2013 8:16 pm
    Is not telling the whole truth. The ex-seal gets medical coverage for the next 5 years and has a disability claim pending. When Bronstein was questioned about this, he stated that because the ex-seal didn't know about the 5 years of medical coverage that he was going to stand by his story.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Mavila wrote...
    I think there is...
    February 11, 2013 8:22 pm
    something pending on the disability thing. However, the medical coverage was shut off presumably because the Navy determined that he didn't have disability status and he essentially quit before retirment (20 yrs). That could all change with the pending disability issue, however. It's not real clear in the article but I do expect there's more to the story on that.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Mavila wrote...
    Banner Headline
    February 11, 2013 9:41 pm
    on the home page. I don't know who writes those, but The Shooter did not "lose" his pension.

    He didn't earn the pension because he essentially quit after 16 years of service in the Navy. 20 years of service are required to qualify for the pension.

    Now, there may be some extenuating circumstances related to disability caused by his service, but that is not the account given in the Bronstein article (which is entirely favorable in every way to "The Shooter").

    I have all the compassion in the world for this man and his family, but you cannot "lose" a pension that was never earned. Sorry, but that's not accurate.

    If it was up to me, I'd gladly see to it that he and his family were taken care of. But he did not "lose" a pension.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    That article in Esquire is on the web
    February 11, 2013 10:12 pm
    .
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Mavila wrote...
    Yes, and it is really one of the best things I've read...
    February 11, 2013 10:17 pm
    in a long time. Bronstein is a great writer and this is a great story.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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