Robert O'Neill, a former U.S. Navy SEAL widely recognized for his role in the operation that killed Usama bin Laden, recently offered his reflections on America's impending 250th anniversary. He lauded the abundant opportunities available to individuals committed to diligent effort, simultaneously urging fellow citizens to uphold the nation's core principles amidst what he perceives as increasing antipathy towards its historical legacy.
He asserted, "You can do anything, seriously, in this country."
The Value of Effort and Service
O'Neill, who was part of SEAL Team 6 during Operation Neptune Spear, the 2011 mission that led to the death of the al Qaeda leader, encouraged younger generations to venture beyond their comfort zones and contribute to the success of the United States.
Reflecting on his own journey, he remarked, "I'm able to attribute a lot of my successes in life simply because I left the house." He elaborated on his decision to join the military: "I went to join the military, and I did. In this country, I just proved you can do anything by not doing one thing. I just didn't stop. I never quit."
Recalling his time in service, O'Neill described it as a "great honor" to embark from home, advance through the ranks based on merit, and secure a position on a team selected purely for skill. He cited his experience as an embodiment of "the greatness of the country."
He emphasized the concept of fairness within the elite unit:
That team was proof of equal opportunity. You have an equal opportunity to try out, but you're gonna be tested every day, and if you don't pass, we're just gonna get rid of you. But the team was built because of this country, and the country has the ability to do that over and over again.
Addressing the 'Victimhood' Culture
As the nation approaches its quarter-millennium celebration, O'Neill acknowledged that this significant milestone is not universally viewed with positivity. He attributed this sentiment to what he termed a burgeoning "victimhood" mentality, which he believes deters people from embracing the nation's past.
He stated, "Part of the issue is we stop teaching our kids the past, and we're actually raising a lot of victims." O'Neill pondered the origins of this mindset: "I don't know why the victimhood is here. Maybe it's because the country is so great, we have to look back on the past and invent problems, and that's what we're doing right now."
Concerns Over 'Institutional Cowardice' and Division
O'Neill identified "institutional cowardice" as a primary catalyst for this escalating disregard for national history. He issued a stark warning that if the country continues "importing the enemy and won't call it what it is," it faces the risk of deepening political polarization and, ultimately, "civil war."
He asserted, "We're at a place right now of institutional cowardice where we're importing people based on untruths because people in political positions know that they'll vote for them if they keep doing what they're doing."
O'Neill further cautioned about the trajectory of political dynamics:
Once that base starts growing, they're going to get rid of what was referred to by communists as the 'useful idiots.' It's growing right now. I mean, it's almost ironic that we can look over the ocean at Great Britain on an anniversary from a country where we gained independence, and it's not like looking at another nation. We're looking at a glimpse into our future.
Preserving National Strength and Values
Despite America's capacity to "win anything with force," O'Neill argued that the nation's strength diminishes if it "import[s] the enemy in order to lose."
He explained his perspective:
We're seeing right now that we can win anything with force, but we need to import the enemy in order to lose. What I mean by that is if we get infiltrated, pound for pound, we're never gonna lose a fight. Instead of telling the truth, we just try to appease. That's what we're seeing right now. We win the wars that we're in until we involve too many laws that we make up ourselves.
Nevertheless, O'Neill expressed optimism that America can maintain its success by upholding its foundational values, recognizing the country's inherent "fragility" as "it's still an experiment."
He referenced historical examples like the British, Persian, and Ottoman empires, powerful nations that eventually declined, to underscore that America's 250-year existence does not guarantee its future. He urged people to "reflect on our great nation and how it's very important that we keep it that way."
O'Neill articulated, "We gotta realize that the American project, the experiment that it is, it's still worth continuing, and it's good to see that we made it 250 years, but also keep in mind, that's usually the lifetime of most empires."
He concluded by reminding individuals not to take the nation's freedoms and opportunities for granted, having witnessed "true poverty and real dictators." He described residing in America as "a blessing."
O'Neill emphasized the need for gratitude and awareness: "We need to realize that we have been padded by two oceans, the Pacific and the Atlantic, and you don't want to do the whole 'don't know what you got until it's gone,' because this country is great."
