Controversy surrounds an upcoming cable interview with a former member of SEAL Team 6 who says he shot the bullet that killed Osama Bin Laden.
Navy SEALs are often called silent warriors, and they take an oath not to discuss what happens when on a mission.
But now the SEAL known as “The Shooter” is about to tell his story on Fox News in an interview scheduled to air next week. He is expected to describe his role in the death of the infamous 9/11 mastermind.
The service member joins a handful of SEALS recent years that have written or talked about their experiences.
Hollywood movies like “Zero Dark Thirty” have depicted the 2011 raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan, that killed bin Laden. Other missions are portrayed in a host of films and TV shows, and political leaders, including former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, have written books about them.
So why not a SEAL himself?
In an open letter signed by Rear Admiral Brian Losey, Naval Special Warfare Command, there is a quote about the team’s ethos: "A critical tenant of our ethos is, I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions. Our ethos is a life-long commitment and obligation."
NBC 7 went to Coronado where SEALs train and asked people what they thought about allowing SEALs to talk about their missions.
Local
“Why do they want to keep him quiet? I don't know. Technically he is a hero after what happened in 2001. He should be able to come out and say, ‘Hey I'm the man who got rid of this burden to the country,” said Gavin Smith.
Navy veteran Mike Behan told us, “From my military experience, when you sign on you take an oath. When you have a secret clearance, you have a secret clearance, and you say you are not going to talk about it.”
Others expressed concern about releasing classified information and about the safety of the SEAL’s family or friends.
