The Man Who Got Bin Laden -- Navy ROTC Graduate

paradoxer said:
This commander was a journalism major at UT. How possible would it be to get a scholarship today and major in journalism?
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McRaven hedged his bets while studying journalism at the University of Texas in Austin before graduating in 1977: he also was a member of the Navy ROTC program.
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Note that this was 1977. Back in the day (right after Viet Nam) let's just say there wasn't a mad rush to sign up like recent times. I didn't see the word scholarship in the article, although I would imagine they had those available in the day.
 
My husband graduated on an NROTC scholarship from NROTC as business major in 1978, and I was Economics in the eighties - NROTC was pretty flexible about non-technical majors back then, and they did have scholarships back in that ice age.

I read an article just yesterday that the Navy usually keeps the names of the Navy Seals involved in these operations very secret, to avoid terrorist retaliation against them. Surprised to hear that this Commander's role and identification was advertised.

It really is true that you don't HAVE to go to a service academy to get exciting jobs in the Navy. NROTC kids get their fair share. Wish that word would get out more to kids who are rejected by a service academy and feel that they are somehow inferior to the academy grads. Not true from what I have seen in the Navy.
 
I believe they only released his name because he is a VADM soon to be ADM and his name being released is about the same as the CIA Directors'. We will never know the names of the men who were involved in the operation or the teams involved in the operation. Realistically, we don't need to know, and our country is safer that way.
 
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I agree we will probably never know, and most likely their spouses won't either for at least the considerable future. Our neighbor at Bragg was a Navy Seal, his wife did not find out for about a yr that he was on the team that rescued the Black Hawk Down pilot. She only found out because he was awarded a medal from the SOD. He asked if he could invite his wife, and they said yes, bring her. He did not tell her even then until that morning. She just thought it was a fun mini-vacation with him having to do a little business. He called her at the hotel after asking again for clearance and said get to the Pentagon now. She did and as the medal citation was being read aloud by the SOD she realized OMG this is about Somalia, you were one of the Seals. No the kids were not there, for purely the reason they wanted to shield them from Dad's real world as much as they could.

I remember that time because one of the Army guys that died lived on the same block. I asked her did he retrieve the other neighbor's DH, she said to me I will find that answer out when we get to heaven because I know not to even go there while we are alive. Both of us did have the same thought though, we hope he did because the wife was our neighbor.

Their lives are super secret. Even all of the mail must go through them and are read prior to make sure no hint of any detail is in the letter.

I asked if she ever had a letter redacted, and she said nope...the 1st lesson they learn is they will be in trouble if that happens, even the wives know better.

I have said many times people would be amazed how many successful flag officers are ROTC grads. Gone are the days of to make flag you must be a ring knocker.
 
[QUOTE
It really is true that you don't HAVE to go to a service academy to get exciting jobs in the Navy. NROTC kids get their fair share. Wish that word would get out more to kids who are rejected by a service academy and feel that they are somehow inferior to the academy grads. Not true from what I have seen in the Navy.[/QUOTE]

LTlongago...Very accurate statement. I picked up DS from end of year school and he asked if I wanted to attend NROTC Battalion Commissioning Ceremony. I was there, so I decided to go. What a great experience, I was honored to attend. It was amazing to experience, the pride and how proud parents, family and friends were of the newly commissioned Navy Officers. It was an emotional ceremony for me and I had not met or knew any of the newly commissioned officers. Upon conclusion of the commissioning and first salute ceremony DS was one fired up proud to be a Navy guy

I believe 26 were commissioned; 9 Marine, 6, aviation, 4 Subs (one female), 7 SWO. So yes, NROTC provides a great opportunity to pursue ones service goals.
 
So, here’s my rant. I realize that this name was printed in the press due to the fairly public nature of his job title. Why add to it by providing a link, repeating the name, & analyzing his bio. The original point of the thread is a valid one on this forum but the same point can be made without adding to spreading personal information. Yes, I realize it’s pretty easy to get this information and it’s just a drop in the bucket. But why add to the bucket at all?

I understand that this may seem fanatical but the story told about the SEAL wife neighbor is an illustration. While her name wasn’t given, enough identifying information was (where they lived, time frame, approx rank, more than one kid, and many details about the award and location etc) that most in the SEAL community would know who it is. I doubt she told that story thinking it would make it’s way to an open forum on the internet. No state secrets, just a little embarrassing. Maybe she wouldn’t even mind. It’s worth a phone to call to ask if she minds if the story is used to make a valid point.

I sincerely don’t mean to offend anyone. It’s just a plea.
 
I know females are getting into the submariner world, but have to say that 1 probably was the be all mid to get it.

Her career will be golden because she is going to be one of the 1st. That world is competitive to start with, one of the first females and the competition level was amped up!

basil,

I understand where you are coming from with your post about my post. However, I did not break OPSEC, because none of the mission was released. Additionally, I think the book and movie Black Hawk Down told more than I just did. Finally, he has publicly stated his involvement. It was released back yrs ago due to the media finding out. That ceremony I wrote about where his wife attended was officially announced via the Pentagon in their own press release, one that was covered in hometown news.

Let's be real, if the Pentagon wanted to keep it silent they wouldn't have allowed the wife to attend and hear the citation. She also is a great wife and would never have had said squat to me if it was classified. She would not have jeopardized his career...notice that I stated she knew better than to ask if he retrieved the body of our neighbor. Again nothing about the details of the mission, just yes, he was there. Something he was authorized to acknowledge. OBTW, so he was married and had kids, stationed at Bragg, do you realize how many Seals are married with kids? My neighbor, okay, Bullet was AF, not Navy, you would have to do a big time search....that is a big, big, big block, probably over 100 homes start to finish and 3 cul de sacs on the street with different street names, I also didn't say they were homeowners or renters. Either way you play it you really would have to spend a lot of time to investigate and the result would be the same. I only told a personal anecdote about a Seal member who was involved that the media already acknowledged. I am guilty of saying that they are so concerned with OPSEC that letters between spouses are read and redacted and spouses of Seal members know work is not to be discussed. Don't think that hurts OPSEC.

I understand OPSEC very well. trust me 3 yrs overseas with only stupid AFN commercials about OPSEC, I wouldn't bust it. I am a wife who jokingly says to Bullet, I know if you tell me you have to kill me. I am the Mom who knows I don't have a security clearance for my ROTC son and didn't ask what questions did they ask.

There is a differentiation of repeating what has been acknowledged by the Pentagon and speculating.

I 1000% agree with you about OPSEC, security clearances exist for a reason and it is to protect our military members. One of those stupid AFN commercials that 20 yrs later I still remember is "loose lips sink ships".

I am also old enough to remember how a military member broke that rule when it came to Noriega. It was around Xmas and he got caught on a phone call saying they were going after him. I also recall when DH was on the runway for the Haiti invasion it was a phone call from a Ft Bragg resident to Haiti saying they are taking off that turned the situation.
 
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I would never question your knowledge of or adherence to OPSEC. In fact, I don’t think it’s remotely related to OPSEC and plainly stated it as not a security breach. I wasn’t speaking to anything other than the personal anecdote.

I think that showing a point with a personal anecdote is a powerful way of getting the message across and I’m all for it. But in this case it’s somebody else’s personal anecdote given with enough details that at first glance, I knew who it was for the reasons I mentioned before. The quick checklist I gave may not make sense to others, but it narrowed it instantly for me and likely anyone else within the SEAL community. It has nothing to do with passing along classified information. She may have no problem whatsoever with telling this story to someone in person and them putting on a public forum. Why not ask her? If she says no problem, then keep it posted as is. I know we may seem like privacy wackos and this may seem stupid to even think that one would be embarrassed by a retelling of a personal story on a public forum, I freely acknowledge it. There is a saying in the SEAL Teams that you don’t need to be crazy to be a SEAL, but it sure helps. I’m sure the same could be said for many of us long time SEAL wives.
 
We are getting off track now.

To Basil,

I pm'd you.

To others one thing to always keep in your mind is that as much as you think the internet with your anonymous monikers keep you anonymous, THEY DON'T!

I 1000% agree with Basil.

She could easily figure who I am from just hitting my posts.

Now, seriously if you have enough time in the day you can find him and me. Bullet and I posted a lot of that crap in the past 3 1/2 yrs+.

My point is you probably have too.

Lesson learned...follow basil's POV because you actually floated information that actually can hurt OPSEC if someone cared enough or was watching.

I am not a conspiracist. I would have to say if you care so much about me or Bullet you have WAY too much time on your hands. Also will say to the terrorists in this world if you find us, especially me you wasted time. I know absolutely squat. Waterboard me and I will give you the same answer I don't know. Bullet took that oath to the level I suspect every military member does. If I tell you I have to kill you. Every spouse also was smart enough to know not to ask!

I know he has done things that weigh on his conscious, but he did it for the country, for you, for me, and for our families.

That is why this spouse never asks what did you do?

On topic we all need to give homage to the military. We need to understand that it takes a special person to be able to live this life.

Imagine coming home to your spouse, your mate, the parent of your child and hold that secret until you meet them in heaven. That is what every military member with a clearance does.

SA or ROTC or OCS they all have that emotion. Do you believe Obama asked their commissioning source? Doubtful.

ON TOPIC for candidates who get the SA congrats, watch out for ROTC and OCS. For candidates that got ROTC watch out for SA and OCS. OCS you can beat them both!
 
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Pima said:
We are getting off track now.

To Basil,

I pm'd you.

To others one thing to always keep in your mind is that as much as you think the internet with your anonymous monikers keep you anonymous, THEY DON'T!

I 1000% agree with Basil.

She could easily figure who I am from just hitting my posts.

Now, seriously if you have enough time in the day you can find him and me. Bullet and I posted a lot of that crap in the past 3 1/2 yrs+.

My point is you probably have too.

Lesson learned...follow basil's POV because you actually floated information that actually can hurt OPSEC if someone cared enough or was watching.

I am not a conspiracist. I would have to say if you care so much about me or Bullet you have WAY too much time on your hands. Also will say to the terrorists in this world if you find us, especially me you wasted time. I know absolutely squat. Waterboard me and I will give you the same answer I don't know. Bullet took that oath to the level I suspect every military member does. If I tell you I have to kill you. Every spouse also was smart enough to know not to ask!

I know he has done things that weigh on his conscious, but he did it for the country, for you, for me, and for our families.

That is why this spouse never asks what did you do?

On topic we all need to give homage to the military. We need to understand that it takes a special person to be able to live this life.

Imagine coming home to your spouse, your mate, the parent of your child and hold that secret until you meet them in heaven. That is what every military member with a clearance does.

SA or ROTC or OCS they all have that emotion. Do you believe Obama asked their commissioning source? Doubtful.

ON TOPIC for candidates who get the SA congrats, watch out for ROTC and OCS. For candidates that got ROTC watch out for SA and OCS. OCS you can beat them both!
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To be honest, I’m a little confused by most of this post. My original intent was not to offend and I believe I clearly missed the mark.

I’m not sure how you 1000% agree with me that I could figure out your identity by checking all of your posts since I never mentioned anything about your identity. The identity in question is that of another SEAL wife who’s story you told. Those of us who post on a forum have made the choice to do so. She hasn’t. All I’m saying is call her and give her the choice. What’s the harm?

Here’s an example of what I’m talking about with the original story that you related but changed to remove all of the details that are singularly identifiable:

"I agree we will probably never know, and most likely their spouses won't either for at least the considerable future. I had a friend who was married to a SEAL who was involved in a well publicized mission. She only found out because he was awarded a medal from the SOD. He asked if he could invite his wife, and they said yes, bring her. He did not tell her even then until that morning. She just thought it was a fun mini-vacation with him having to do a little business. He called her at the hotel after asking again for clearance and said get to the Pentagon now. She did and as the medal citation was being read aloud by the SOD she realized OMG this is about what I read in the paper last year.

Their lives are super secret. Even all of the mail must go through them and are read prior to make sure no hint of any detail is in the letter.

I asked if she ever had a letter redacted, and she said nope...the 1st lesson they learn is they will be in trouble if that happens, even the wives know better."

To me that would have been awesome. Great story and I would have never been able to pin the identity down at first glance. It has nothing to do with OPSEC. Who cares if someone reads our posts having to do with our own experiences and figures out who we are? As long as we’re posting with respect why would anyone care who we are?
 
LTLONGAGO said:
My husband graduated on an NROTC scholarship from NROTC as business major in 1978, and I was Economics in the eighties - NROTC was pretty flexible about non-technical majors back then, and they did have scholarships back in that ice age.

I read an article just yesterday that the Navy usually keeps the names of the Navy Seals involved in these operations very secret, to avoid terrorist retaliation against them. Surprised to hear that this Commander's role and identification was advertised.

It really is true that you don't HAVE to go to a service academy to get exciting jobs in the Navy. NROTC kids get their fair share. Wish that word would get out more to kids who are rejected by a service academy and feel that they are somehow inferior to the academy grads. Not true from what I have seen in the Navy.
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Well said.
 
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