What Impressed Me the Most About the Seals Attack on Bin Laden

It has been a proud week for the American military with the successful attack and death of one of our most wanted enemies, Osama bin Laden.   Yes, the heroism, intelligence, courage, mental strength, and selflessness that went into this nearly 9 year operation leaves me very impressed and proud to be an American.

But what I love most about it is that the  individual names of the those that attacked are not being released.   No one involved with the operation is being exhaulted as being more important than another. We only know that the SEAL unit called "Knight Stalkers", an elite Army Special Operations Unit did the job.   The guy that fired the shot that brought bin Laden down is not being given a hero's welcome back in America, as we might expect.  The people in the background who have labored intensely over these past years tracking our enemies get just as much credit as the front-liners. 

This speaks to my "self-centered tendency to be in the spotlight after a big win" in a convicting way.   What I need to learn is that when one wins, we all win.  Being part of a team is exhilarating when this attitude is practiced.   This is character at its finest!

Thank you, US Military for your dedication and selfless service.  And thank you for giving us an example of character we all aspire to.

Comments

[RJ]

I love your thoughts on this. What a momentous event and a great observation!

[Mike Mayo]

The tireless effort and fine character of the US armed services are without question. However, the anonymity of the JSOC Navy Seals and "Knight Stalker" helicopter pilots from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment who flew the mission, reflect a different kind of reality: it would be a tragedy for the entire Arab world, or at least those sympathetic to the cause of al Qaeda, to learn the names of the individuals responsible for Bin Laden's death. I pray this doesn't happen. It may leak at some point, but the effort to withhold the names of those involved has more to do with the safety of their families and the interests of national security than a character-driven, humble effort to share the credit (although anyone involved would likely decline a hero's welcome anyway). This doesn't take anything away from those involved, though. Their teamwork and dedication is undoubtedly inspiring.

[Beth Bennett]

Thank you for that insight, Mike. Best to you and your work.