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How the bin Laden shooting helped launch Navy SEAL Robert O’Neill’s charity How the bin Laden shooting helped launch Navy SEAL Robert O’Neill’s charity
(about 2 hours later)
When Navy SEAL Robert J. O’Neill left the military in August 2012, he was frustrated. After hundreds of combat missions — including the SEAL Team 6 raid that killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden — he wasn’t sure what to do with his life, but he didn’t want to stay in the Navy anymore. When Navy SEAL Robert J. O’Neill left the military in August 2012, he was frustrated. After hundreds of combat missions — including the SEAL Team 6 raid that killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden — he wasn’t sure what to do with his life, but he didn’t want to stay in the Navy anymore.
His dilemmas were outlined in a March 2013 article in Esquire magazine that identified him only as “The Shooter.” He said he shot the world’s most-wanted terrorist leader in the head during the famous mission in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and he expressed disgust that he wouldn’t get a pension from the Navy because he hadn’t stayed in uniform for 20 years.His dilemmas were outlined in a March 2013 article in Esquire magazine that identified him only as “The Shooter.” He said he shot the world’s most-wanted terrorist leader in the head during the famous mission in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and he expressed disgust that he wouldn’t get a pension from the Navy because he hadn’t stayed in uniform for 20 years.
O’Neill remained anonymous for nearly two years after that article was published. He identified himself for the first time in an article published by The Washington Post in November, however, saying he had weighed concerns about his safety and privacy against his wish to have some control over his own story.O’Neill remained anonymous for nearly two years after that article was published. He identified himself for the first time in an article published by The Washington Post in November, however, saying he had weighed concerns about his safety and privacy against his wish to have some control over his own story.
What is less known is that O’Neill co-founded a veterans charity — and that interest in it has skyrocketed since his name became known. The nonprofit, Your Grateful Nation, is devoted to helping Special Operations troops transition out of the military. What is less known is that O’Neill co-founded a veterans charity — and that interest in it has skyrocketed since his name became known. The nonprofit, Your Grateful Nation, is devoted to helping Special Operations troops transition out of the military.
“I didn’t do 20 years. I did 16 1/2, and the last six months of that was a transition to ‘Now what?’ ” O’Neill said in a recent interview at The Post. “It’s not really realizing there is stuff out there.” “I didn’t do 20 years. I did 16½, and the last six months of that was a transition to ‘Now what?’ ” O’Neill said in a recent interview at The Post. “It’s not really realizing there is stuff out there.”
Many veterans, he said, are more nervous about trying to find a job than they are about going into combat. Charities like his help bridge the gap for veterans who need help figuring out their next steps and how to land jobs, O’Neill said.Many veterans, he said, are more nervous about trying to find a job than they are about going into combat. Charities like his help bridge the gap for veterans who need help figuring out their next steps and how to land jobs, O’Neill said.
“The companies, once they’re aware of it, they’re getting a 34-year-old, very experienced person who is used to working under stress, and not just thinking but making decisions under stress,” O’Neill said. “People that know how to lead, and know how to follow. They know how to work as a team. They show up on time. They’re winners.”“The companies, once they’re aware of it, they’re getting a 34-year-old, very experienced person who is used to working under stress, and not just thinking but making decisions under stress,” O’Neill said. “People that know how to lead, and know how to follow. They know how to work as a team. They show up on time. They’re winners.”
Your Grateful Nation is relatively new, but has a number of influential backers. Its board of directors includes Pamela Braden, the president and CEO of engineering firm Gryphon Technologies; Jeffrey J. Clarke, the CEO of Eastman Kodak Co.; and Phil Bronstein, a journalist who wrote the initial “Shooter” article and is now the executive chairman of the Center for Investigative Reporting. Your Grateful Nation is relatively new, but has a number of influential backers. Its board of directors includes Pamela Braden, the president and CEO of engineering firm Gryphon Technologies; Jeffrey J. Clarke, the CEO of Eastman Kodak Co., and Phil Bronstein, a journalist who wrote the initial “Shooter” article and is now the executive chairman of the Center for Investigative Reporting.
O’Neill’s notoriety helped get the organization off the ground, said Rob Clapper, its executive director. After it was cited during interviews that O’Neill did with Fox News in November, the organization’s Web site crashed due to the surge in Web traffic.O’Neill’s notoriety helped get the organization off the ground, said Rob Clapper, its executive director. After it was cited during interviews that O’Neill did with Fox News in November, the organization’s Web site crashed due to the surge in Web traffic.
“It took the organization from an idea and a little-known public charity and put us on a national stage in about 12 hours,” Clapper said.“It took the organization from an idea and a little-known public charity and put us on a national stage in about 12 hours,” Clapper said.
  
Clapper, a former officer with U.S. Army Special Operations Command, said he was lucky to have a mentor spend six months helping him after he sustained injuries that prevented him from continuing to serve and left the military in 2006. He held a variety of Chamber of Commerce jobs, and became the executive director of Your Grateful Nation in March 2014.Clapper, a former officer with U.S. Army Special Operations Command, said he was lucky to have a mentor spend six months helping him after he sustained injuries that prevented him from continuing to serve and left the military in 2006. He held a variety of Chamber of Commerce jobs, and became the executive director of Your Grateful Nation in March 2014.
“Probably the number one trend that we continue to see is it’s the impact of the op-tempo, the operational tempo,” Clapper said, explaining why Special Operations troops leave before earning full retirement.“Probably the number one trend that we continue to see is it’s the impact of the op-tempo, the operational tempo,” Clapper said, explaining why Special Operations troops leave before earning full retirement.
In addition to working for Your Grateful Nation, O’Neill works as a motivational and leadership speaker and makes thousands of dollars per event.In addition to working for Your Grateful Nation, O’Neill works as a motivational and leadership speaker and makes thousands of dollars per event.
At the same time, he remains a controversial figure for some in the military. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is probing whether he disclosed classified information when he decided to speak with reporters about his story, and some Navy SEALs — while not disputing that he was present at the raid in Pakistan — have questioned whether the story he has shared is accurate. At the same time, he remains a controversial figure for some in the military. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is probing whether he disclosed classified information when he decided to speak with reporters about his story, and some Navy SEALs — while not disputing that he was present at the raid in Pakistan — have questioned whether the story he has shared is accurate.
Top service officials warned other Navy SEALS in November not to be “selfish” and reveal secrets for publicity or financial gain, saying they have made a lifelong commitment to remain silent about their work.Top service officials warned other Navy SEALS in November not to be “selfish” and reveal secrets for publicity or financial gain, saying they have made a lifelong commitment to remain silent about their work.
In the interview at The Post, O’Neill acknowledged the controversy, but said he think the response to his decision to go public has been mixed. While in the military, he earned two Silver Stars and four Bronze Stars with V for valor in combat. In the interview at The Post, O’Neill acknowledged the controversy but said he think the response to his decision to go public has been mixed. While in the military, he earned two Silver Stars and four Bronze Stars with V for valor in combat.
“I keep my lines of communication open, and there are people who are upset and there are people who are happy,” O’Neill said. “There are people who disagree with what I did, but still support me. They’re great guys. They’ve got a really difficult job, and they’ve been in combat for so long. That’s really the one thing I miss about the job: the guys.”“I keep my lines of communication open, and there are people who are upset and there are people who are happy,” O’Neill said. “There are people who disagree with what I did, but still support me. They’re great guys. They’ve got a really difficult job, and they’ve been in combat for so long. That’s really the one thing I miss about the job: the guys.”
O’Neill, a father of three, said he spends about five days on the road each week, and has enjoyed getting to meet America.O’Neill, a father of three, said he spends about five days on the road each week, and has enjoyed getting to meet America.
“I don’t think the Navy owes me anything,” he said. “… I’m trying to do something nice so I can be there for the people in my shoes.”“I don’t think the Navy owes me anything,” he said. “… I’m trying to do something nice so I can be there for the people in my shoes.”