Slog
News & ArtsTuesday, February 12, 2013
Life The State of the Man Who Killed bin Laden Is...
Posted by Eli Sanders on Tue, Feb 12, 2013 at 6:00 AM
...rough:
"No one who fights for this country overseas should ever have to fight for a job," Barack Obama said last Veterans' Day, "or a roof over their head, or the care that they have earned when they come home."
But the Shooter will discover soon enough that when he leaves after sixteen years in the Navy, his body filled with scar tissue, arthritis, tendonitis, eye damage, and blown disks, here is what he gets from his employer and a grateful nation:
Nothing. No pension, no health care, and no protection for himself or his family.
1
We have to start doing better by these guys - at UPS you're vested after 5 years and eligible for a small pension, but in the military it's 20 or nothing. They guy could flesh out his twenty with reserve time, but there's every chance he'd be called up at some point. As far as healthcare . . . move to IL and enroll in vetscare.
But the truth is the guy's got almost no skills that translate to civilian jobs. After 10 years in they ought to get partial pensions. If you can have something to show for slinging boxes, you ought to have something to show for being a SEAL.
But the truth is the guy's got almost no skills that translate to civilian jobs. After 10 years in they ought to get partial pensions. If you can have something to show for slinging boxes, you ought to have something to show for being a SEAL.
2
Does no reporter do their job and research? A 16-year retirement, when offered, *does* include a reduced pension and the opportunity to continue in TRICARE under whichever health insurer is in charge of the geographical region he lives in.
AS WELL as continuing on VA benefits for 5 years, which then goes to income based after that.
He could have also requested Desk duty or gone to reserves, there are always options what he could have done for his last 4 years before retirement.
That information is just a phone call away.
sigh.
AS WELL as continuing on VA benefits for 5 years, which then goes to income based after that.
He could have also requested Desk duty or gone to reserves, there are always options what he could have done for his last 4 years before retirement.
That information is just a phone call away.
sigh.
3
>implying he doesn't have the GI Bill and the VA to fall back on
It's like reporters are exaggerating things!
It's like reporters are exaggerating things!
4
The Corporate War Machine chews up another piece of meat. And many more have it far worse than this one has it. So onward to PROFITS!!!!
5
it almost seems as if a military career has drawbacks.
the deal is 20 years, and you get a pension & health care for life. he took the deal.
it wasn't a good deal.
the deal is 20 years, and you get a pension & health care for life. he took the deal.
it wasn't a good deal.
6
Ooo big tough army guy couldn't handle 4 more years in the army. Whines about it to the media. Pussy.
7
I know it does not make me a good person, but the fact I seized on is that the article was written by Sharon Stone's ex-husband.
8
@1: Not that it makes the situation any better really, but many private security companies love ex-special forces guys, and pay ridiculous salaries. Not to mention the training they receive in demolitions, operation of special vehicles, and the repair of firearms and equipment.
But it can be hard for veterans due to the fact that they do not have the neat, tidy certifications and degrees that so many companies require.
But my understanding of the situation is that there are certain benefits that can be accessed ater 16 years, which includes a small pension and VA benefits, which would include health care.
But it can be hard for veterans due to the fact that they do not have the neat, tidy certifications and degrees that so many companies require.
But my understanding of the situation is that there are certain benefits that can be accessed ater 16 years, which includes a small pension and VA benefits, which would include health care.
9
If he has medical issues from service, he is eligible for medical care and disability pay for the rest of his life. Now VA medical isn't the greatest and disability pay isn't a lot, but it's far from nothing.
12
Here's an article about this story in Stars and Stripes:
http://www.stripes.com/blogs/the-rupture…
"""[Esquire reporter Bronstein] said there wasn’t space in the article to explain that the former SEAL’s lack of healthcare was driven by an ignorance of the benefits to which he is entitled.
“That’s a different story,” Bronstein said in a phone interview with Stars and Stripes about what he omitted from the article."""
That different story would have some credibility with me. It was a LONG article too, there's no way there wasn't room to put in a sentence about how he is entitled to some care.
http://www.stripes.com/blogs/the-rupture…
"""[Esquire reporter Bronstein] said there wasn’t space in the article to explain that the former SEAL’s lack of healthcare was driven by an ignorance of the benefits to which he is entitled.
“That’s a different story,” Bronstein said in a phone interview with Stars and Stripes about what he omitted from the article."""
That different story would have some credibility with me. It was a LONG article too, there's no way there wasn't room to put in a sentence about how he is entitled to some care.
13
Great article, except for a how it is mostly incorrect.
He has 5+ years of free, no questions asked healthcare (and then more depending on situation and current income at that time) through the VA.
Yes, it makes for great headlines, though, doesn't it!
http://twitchy.com/2013/02/12/lying-liar…
He has 5+ years of free, no questions asked healthcare (and then more depending on situation and current income at that time) through the VA.
Yes, it makes for great headlines, though, doesn't it!
http://twitchy.com/2013/02/12/lying-liar…
14
WTF is up with you, Sanders? Only practising non-journalists are awarded the Pulitzer? (Should be call the Putz prize!)
On CNN some years back, they broadcasted an audio of Osama claiming he had nothing to do with the attacks on 9/11.
We still haven't seen any valid proof otherwise --- unless you are somehow privy to it, Eli?
What's with stating (highly questionable) assumptions as fact?
Is this some new kind of pseudo-newsy bullcrap?
On CNN some years back, they broadcasted an audio of Osama claiming he had nothing to do with the attacks on 9/11.
We still haven't seen any valid proof otherwise --- unless you are somehow privy to it, Eli?
What's with stating (highly questionable) assumptions as fact?
Is this some new kind of pseudo-newsy bullcrap?
15
When I see the commercials for military of any kind I remind myself of stories like this, not so badass now Hollywood.
16
Sorry. Pensions are the golden handcuffs that keep folks working in some jobs. Teachers do not expect to receive a regular pension unless they work the full 30 years. Why should that soldier expect anything at all when he QUIT before he was eligible? No sympathy here.
17
This story was largely creative writing. Gawker has already called Esquire on the BS and Esquire is sputtering in self-righteous rage.
http://gawker.com/5983706/esquire-editor…
http://gawker.com/5983327/the-seal-who-s…
http://gawker.com/5983706/esquire-editor…
http://gawker.com/5983327/the-seal-who-s…
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