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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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  • Cbrew wrote...
    just a few thoughts and misconceptions about the military i'd like to pass along... sorry if it's a bit long....
    February 12, 2013 10:20 am
    I expect that many folks know a lot of this information but i noticed there's a number who don't... I joined the military when i was 20, I initially joined because I was young, just got married, was trying to finish college and didn't want to go into debt to begin my life just so i could get an education... Before i joined, my impression of people in the Army was severely biased. I had been incorrectly taught by peers and older folks and the media that soldiers were the people who weren't smart... those that didn't get good grades in school or were misfits and had no other choice... That's what the attitude was whenever the recruiters would show up at Highschool... I learned really quickly that I couldn't have been more wrong... I met some of the most intelligent, insightful and talented people in the Army... They didn't join because they weren't smart, they joined for a variety of reasons, some for financial reasons, some for patriotic reasons, some because they simply felt the need to do something important with their lives... I was lucky in my opinion to meet the men and women i met while i was in, i was constantly suprised and at times astounded by their dedication, their sacrifice and their strength. In Late 2003 i was deployed to Iraq and served a year there. It was not easy, War is impossible to describe in my opinion... there is danger, there is fear, there is excitement, boredom, there is death, there is violence, it is unforgettable. You don't worry about why you are there when you're there, because you don't have time to spend thinking about that stuff. As a soldier you just have to leave it up to those in charge and the American People, who through their vote, put those people in charge. You simply do the very best you can in the position you're in. Much of my time in Iraq, I spent trying to make Iraq safe for Iraqis, I think that's a common misconception particularly by the folks who hate or do not trust the military, we did not spend our time ransacking and destroying Iraq... Most of our effort was spent trying to rebuild it... provide aid to the citizens and try to rebuild their society... We did the very best we could to that end. American Soldiers are not so different from the general population, they are kind, generous, helpful, and in the end, many of them do not want to harm anyone and only do so when it's necessary. Somehow people think that we were bloodthirsty or uncaring or whatever, that's simply not the truth... we wanted to capture or kill our enemies, don't get me wrong, but we also wanted to help the impoverished war ravaged people of Iraq to rebuild and be at peace. I don't know how that gets twisted by so many people... After I returned home I was re-stationed away from my home state for a year and finished out my 4 year enlistment... I decided not to re-up.. I am a family man and though my marriage didn't survive my stint in the Army, i had a hard time being away from my family for so long so i decided not to make the military a career. After I left the Military I did find it difficult to transition back to normal life.. It's difficult to describe but essentially life goes from being about critically important missions, life threatening endeavours, adventure and excitement... to chatting around the water cooler... it's not easy... you have a hard time coping... Then you deal with people asking about the War, and you get asked things that people really don't understand are personal and not things you want to talk with them about, for example, "Did you kill anyone" .... can't believe how many times i've been asked that... Over time i have learned to deal with all of that and have re-adjusted to "Normal life" but there are still things i'm suprised to see people don't know... like the fact that when i got out of the Army, friends of mine would say things like, "must be nice that you'll be taken care of for the rest of your life" .... It's amazing how many people believe that a veteran of a war gets paid or gets benefits for the rest of their life... My wife now, she was appalled to learn that even after fighting in a war and serving honorably that i would never be allowed on Base again even for PX priveleges or anything, and that i don't have any medical benefits from it or anything... I explained to her, that's the way it is, if you serve 20 years you get full retirement, base access, medical care etc. but unless you're retired or medically discharged with a certain percentage of disability, you're done as soon as you are officially discharged. Honestly, I wasn't looking for any handouts but i do believe some things should change, like Veterans should have access to the PX on base etc. but either way... those were just some things i've noticed over the years, some misconceptions, in the end my time in the military was the most rewarding and difficult time of my life... I joined looking to support my family and avoid debt... but i quickly learned why this nation is the Greatest Nation on Earth, I respect my country even more, and i know what it's like outside of these borders.. I also learned that we are defended by great men and women who are just like the rest of us and they deserve to be commended and they deserve a greatful nation to stand behind them.
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  • DesertRez wrote...
    something
    February 12, 2013 10:37 am
    just stinks about this story. NOBODY leaves the military after 16 years, 4 shy...That is just idiotic. Do you quit your job without another job lined up if you have a family to support? I am ex-navy and can tell you that ex-SEALS do not have a problem finding work.
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  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    @DesertRex
    February 12, 2013 10:45 am
    Exactly ! ! A Navy Seal is the Best of the Best the 1% of the 1% any Police force any related job requiring security including lots of government jobs would LOVE to have a Navy Seal.Tyrone shove off.87
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  • Mavila wrote...
    I know...
    February 12, 2013 11:19 am
    someone looking for work can't exactly be picky, but he says that he doesn't ever want to carry a gun for work again.
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  • Cbrew wrote...
    DesertRez - you can't say that....
    February 12, 2013 11:12 am
    I knew people that left after 12-14-16 years in the Military, some just can't do it anymore, The hardship, the difficult family situations, those things are amplified to the Nth degree when you are in a Special forces group... they are constantly deploying, constantly in combat, and according to the article this guy has injuries etc. he could simply be physically and mentally worn down to the point he just can't do it anymore... I respect his choice to get out... I don't think he's going to remain unemployed but you got to admit it's not necessarily easy to just jump into a new profession... It took me 3 months to find work, the guy has been out for 6 and this is a much worse economy than when i got out... I'm not suprised he can't find work... I do think he'll probably get disability and will likely get VA benefits... i don't think they describe that portion of things very well... but either way... I don't find this story that hard to believe.
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  • Fakename70 wrote...
    Questions Remain
    February 12, 2013 11:36 am
    I get the sympathy angle that the media are going for here, but, still, WHY did he apparently CHOOSE to leave 36 months before retirement kicked-in? Did "The Shooter" feel that he was entitled to special treatment and should be allowed to circumvent that requirement because of the mission he had completed? I think that's a valid question. Seriously, why did he leave? Let's explore that issue first before we let the media decide that his is a sob story worth falling for.
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  • Cbrew wrote...
    Side note: Am I the only one....
    February 12, 2013 11:44 am
    That see's Don's photo above and think he looks like a burned out Pro Wrestler from the 80's? Nice glasses...
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  • bigdogina4x4 wrote...
    all you jack azzes........
    February 12, 2013 12:16 pm
    cutting this guy down, you are the lowest form of human on this planet. You spread the excriment from your mouth under the very freedom that this guy fought to protect. You are losers, and I mean you CH and Messiah. Worthless garbage.
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  • Edwardjb wrote...
    Pay the SEAL
    February 12, 2013 2:11 pm
    I'm sorry guys, you stepped in it with this one. From the moment one joins the military until their last day on duty, military members learn TEAMWORK. The concept that we should seperately award individuals monetarily for their acts is insane. The miltary awards MEDALS for acts of valor and heroism, not money. Can you imagine if military members knew that blowing someone away, much less taking individual credit for acts would return money in various amounts? So much for TEAMWORK! I served in Vietnam. I killed dozens, if not hundreds with bombs from my plane. How much is that worth? If someone wants money, let them become a mercenary. Can't make it to 20 years? If it's a service-related condition (PTSD, physical injury) you can retire with less than 20. If you're in a SEAL team, I would bet that you could request a transfer to ANY position (billet) in the Navy. If it is, as you say, NOT a request for help from the young man, then it is apparent that he is aware of what I just said. And I would bet anything that this young man was well aware of his options before he chose resignation. Money for him? No way! Ed Burggraf Auburn
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  • soo purletiv wrote...
    Used and abused...
    February 12, 2013 8:39 pm
    Why does a pimp have prostitutes?

    Does his institution exist for the benefit of his girls? Does it exist for his customers? Does it exist for the benefit of humanity in general?

    NOPE!

    His world, his livelihood, his business exists for himself.

    No matter how many promises he makes to his employees, they are always employed for HIS benefit!

    I am in no way equating servicemen of any order, to prostitutes, but their employers are equated to pimps, no matter how one looks at it.

    Military personnel are used for their governments purpose, no matter what land they are born in. When their purpose is realised, what further use do they have with them?

    This "shooter", for some sad reason thought his employer was looking out for his best interests. He thought for some reason, that since he took extra risks, he would be rewarded more so than those who didn't.

    Like it or not; Wrong Answer!

    He is just another pawn in the long list of government employees that hoped for a higher reward for the risks they took!

    A sad reality for young people as well as others, who believe the promises they are told by their own personal PIMPS in life.

    Hope the "shooter" recovers from this delusion and makes a life for himself, despite the wasted years of HOPE...

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  • rdridr wrote...
    Lost
    February 12, 2013 9:06 pm
    You need 20 years to get retirement of 50% and full medical. There are no exceptions. If you did not know this then that is your problem. Don't go crying to the public that you got the shaft. Thank you, Gary (Ret CPO)
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  • messiah101 wrote...
    Just read the article about the SEAL
    February 13, 2013 9:28 am
    Did anyone else get a feeling that that the SEALS seem a bit GAY!I'm not inferring that they are busy having sex with each other but they seem to be far more BONDED to other males within their own unit then their own flesh and blood at home. The article pointed out that this "Shooter" spent almost the ENTIRE year away from home going on missions or training with their units.Thats not normal male behavior folks.Elite military units have been loaded with homosexuals usually masquerading as Alpha males for centuries,most recently in Hitlers SS and the French Foreign Legion.Could the SEALS be wearing pink (as mentioned in the article) because pink maybe is their favorite color?
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  • sportsguru wrote...
    messiah101
    February 13, 2013 10:28 am

    I like you messiah but I think you are going to far here. I was part of a MOUT group in the army and 8 of 12 months out of the year was spent in the bush training and this was not during war time. When you spend that much time together as a group and you know each of you are dependent on each other life. It's easy to see why you would be closer to that person than you would your family, especially if you have been together 5 or more years.

    I am not saying that there are not gays in elite forces, but to say that they are all gay is just crazy.

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  • messiah101 wrote...
    Guru
    February 13, 2013 11:55 am
    I certainly did not mean to say they are all gay,but men that sign up again and again while ignoring their family's and choosing to be with their comrades must like the company of their fellow elites over their wife,girl friends? and children .It is simply a thought.If they are gay it makes no difference to me a hero is a hero,gay or straight
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  • HLC wrote...
    I would love to meet you messy.
    February 13, 2013 11:21 am
    It could even become a goal to show you what a special forces soldier can accomplish when a goal is set. What a total utter fool.
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  • messiah101 wrote...
    HLC
    February 13, 2013 12:01 pm
    Suggesting that special forces soldiers are total utter fools is unwarranted even coming from you.Sorry HLC but you along with several other posters on this site are definetly not on my wish to meet list.Sorry if I outed you
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  • HLC wrote...
    Messy if we ever do meet.
    February 13, 2013 2:06 pm
    You will surely do what your call sign says and mess in your pants. I may not be on your list but you are on mine. Sleep well sweet heart. By the way,I called you the utter fool. You live up to it every time you post.
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  • messiah101 wrote...
    HLC
    February 13, 2013 2:15 pm
    Well Sonny did I out you or what?Funny how you allude to have been some type of special forces wannabe but you show it could never have achieved that as you show a total lack of self discipline my guess is your time in the military was spent cooking for the troops or as a titless clerk.
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