Commander denies SEAL's claim made in Esquire article

[baldguy]

Source: NBC News

"This former SEAL made a deliberate and informed decision to leave the Navy several years short of retirement status," Rear Adm. Sean Pybus, commander of Naval Special Warfare Command, wrote in a statement. "Months ahead of his separation, he was counseled on status and benefits, and provided with options to continue his career until retirement eligible. Claims to the contrary in these matters are false."

Pybus said he is "very disappointed with the few people who use their SEAL cachet for self-serving purposes, particularly through falsehoods and certainly when the safety and security of themselves and their active-duty teammates and families are put at risk."

However, he said the Navy will help the former SEAL "address health or transition issues, as we would for other former members."

Read more: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/14/16964372-commander-denies-seals-claim-made-in-esquire-article?lite

---

From the comments: "...the guy left to cash in and is now whining about not getting a big piece of pie."

[southernyankeebelle]

1. I was wondering what this guy was complaining about because my husband retired

after 21 yrs in the army. They start talking about retirement before that in what he needs to do. I figured that is the same with all the services. He knew and decided to leave early.

[OldRedneck]

2. 20 years is the target

Anyone who has served 30 seconds in uniform knows that retirement benefits start only after you have completed 20 years of service. Military retirement is generous . . . I know . . . after 28 years in uniform, I am VERY GRATEFUL each month when I salute my mailbox and pull out that check.

This guy left after 16 years. No doubt he figured his fame as "the SEAL who shot Bin Laden" would open lots of doors and bank accounts for him. Didn't happen, so, now he's whining.

Here's a tip for the former SEAL . . . some wisdom passed on to me by one of my instructors in Special Forces training: "Get in the game or get out. Whining is not an option."

[MyTwoSense]

3. Transition Assistance Program (TAP)

Can we assume he passed on attending TAP, or was he the guy in the back playing on his cellphone when the speakers were presenting retirement information?

[sarge43]

7. As we type, some PO3c is pawing through the back files

In 5..4..3, Whiner's "I attended and completed the Transition Assistance Program." Signed and dated.

Now sailor you can considered yourself fucked.

[Historic NY]

4. Exactly His rhertoric just didn't fit....with common knowledge.

[MADem]

5. I said that this account sounded "fishy" to me when I first read it here.

I was surprised that Phil Bronstein, who used to edit a major paper in San Francisco and who is regarded as a decent journalist, left his judgment at the door when he did his interviews with this guy. He clearly didn't do his research, didn't understand the personnel issues, and didn't seem interested in learning/asking in order to present a balanced piece. Maybe that toe bite by a Komodo dragon a few years back affected his brain in some fashion.

This SEAL could have been pushing paper in a limited duty assignment, doing recruiting duty, playing the Hall of Power game on a flag staff in DC, you name it--they weren't going to fuck the guy over. He earned his 'gut' tour. He thought he could do better without that onerous uniform on his back. He made a terrible error in judgment, but that's not the Navy's fault.

Phil Bronstein should be a bit embarrassed.

[marble falls]

6. I think Adm Pybus pretty much said it right. This guy thought he could make money ....

by retiring early. Too bad that didn't work out for him. TS.

[John2]

8. His story doesn't

fool any former veteran period. I served the same number of years he served but got out on a disability. I got the benefits that I deserved but not retirement because I fell short of 20. I still got generous benefits though and still have them. I got educational benefits and V.A. benefits for service connected disability. I didn't have a choice to complete my service but he did. So that is all on him. The military also awarded me severance pay. He can still get benefits through the V.A. also. They also help veterans get loans. So I don't know what he is talking about or he is just misinformed.