SEALs tell CBS News "lawless" members plague teams with criminality, drug abuse and profiteering

[Nevilledog]

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/navy-seals-tell-cbs-news-alleged-criminality-drug-use-exploitation/

Both former and active-duty Navy SEALs are sounding the alarm over well-documented cases of criminality, drug use and exploitation of the elite military unit's brand, just as they prepare to mark 10 years since a SEAL team killed Osama bin Laden in a daring raid in Pakistan.

CBS News senior investigative correspondent Catherine Herridge spoke with more than a dozen people in the SEAL community, including current and former SEALs, on the condition of anonymity. They told her that while the vast majority of their fellow SEALs serve honorably, there is a corrupt element in their brotherhood.

"We love the job. We love the community. But it has taken a wrong turn," one SEAL told Herridge.

Three of them agreed to sit down with CBS News for interviews on the condition that their voices be changed and their identities hidden.

Days after September 11, 2001, standing at Ground Zero in New York, President George W. Bush launched a massive global manhunt for the chief culprit behind the terror attacks. A decade later, the search ended at a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, where SEAL Team 6 had zeroed in on Osama bin Laden.

*snip*

[Siwsan]

1. This really breaks my heart. I remember how we looked up to, and admired SEALs

They could be cocky as hell, but we never doubted their devotion to duty and country.

[Wingus Dingus]

2. As far as the SEALs pointing to newfound celebrity, post-OBL-killing, as a reason

for their problems, I have it on some good authority that they were arrogant douchebags well before that. Maybe it takes being an arrogant douche to do what they do, I don't know. But they operate with so much autonomy and insularity within the military that they are barely part of normal military culture, which I'm sure makes them believe they're above it all, discipline-wise.

[stopdiggin]

3. Excellent!

Hope it does some good.
Bad apples (or, as one Seal puts a point on it, 'evil guys'), gross entitlement, celebrity status, immunity from consequence -- and a total absence of moral leadership. And -- current members crying out for 'help.'

[tinymontgomery]

4. It seems they really went down after they got Osama

It seems they really went down after they got Osama. They started debating who shot him, writing books etc. A lot more bragging. I was stationed at a special boat unit in the 80’s. My CO was a SEAL along with the XO and a few others, I WAS NOT A SEAL and DID NOT GO Through ANY TYPE of SEAL TRAINING. They would never mentioned what they did even when we were just hanging around. I was with the training group so we talked a little bit more with him.

[greenjar_01]

5. What happens when you create a warrior class with total impunity

They turn into mafiosi, every fucking time.

None of this is a mystery.

[ProfessorGAC]

6. Some Shabby History In This Piece

Days after September 11, 2001, standing at Ground Zero in New York, President George W. Bush launched a massive global manhunt for the chief culprit behind the terror attacks. A decade later, the search ended at a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, where SEAL Team 6 had zeroed in on Osama bin Laden.

43 essentially called off the "manhunt" after they let OBL get away twice. Suddenly, getting him was not a priority.
Then 3+ years after he was out of office.
The elimination of this warlord didn't start with Bush & end with Obama! It started & fizzled under Bush.
It was accomplished completely by the Obama administration.

[FlyingPiggy]

7. I am not surprised. It seems white supremacy has infiltrated not just LE but the military as well.

And it is well known that white supremacist groups and drug abuse go hand in hand. I sure hope they root out the bad apples.