SEALs punished for role in developing 'Medal of Honor' video game, official says

Seven members of the Navy's SEAL Team Six have been disciplined for acting as paid consultants  to the makers of a video game called "Medal of Honor." Today's Natalie Morales reports.

Seven members of SEAL Team Six have been punished for supporting development of a video game released last month, according to a U.S. military official.

The SEALs worked as paid consultants for Electronic Arts, the company that made "Medal of Honor Warfighter." They received letters of reprimand and forfeited half of their pay for two months. The SEALs do not face jail time.

The official did not say what, if any, information the SEALs revealed by participating in the video game's development. However, a written statement from Deputy Commander of Naval Special Warfare, Rear Admiral Garry Bonelli, indicates this is more about making an example of these sailors after a string of high-profile SEAL products.


"We do not tolerate deviations from the policies that govern who we are and what we do as Sailors in the United States Navy. The non-judicial punishment decisions made today send a clear message throughout our Force that we are and will be held to a high standard of accountability," Bonelli wrote.

The military official did not know how much the SEALs were paid.

The video game hit store shelves on October 23. In a press release, EA said "Medal of Honor Warfighter" was "written by actual U.S. Tier 1 Operators while deployed overseas," and that it "features a dotted line to real world events and provides players a view into globally recognized threats and situations letting them experience the action as it might have unfolded." 

In September, "No Easy Day," a book written under the pseudonym Mark Owen, was released to the public. The book gives a firsthand account of the killing of Osama bin Laden.

medalofhonor.com

A screenshot from the "Zero Dark Thirty" map pack for the video game "Medal of Honor Warfighter."

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So what does Obama and his administration get for giving information about the Bin Laden raid to Hollywood for a movie. I am sure that the terrorist will see the movie.

    Reply#31 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 8:50 PM EST

    DELTAS Don't care as long as you bring beer and ice cream on the way back. SF4L

    • 1 vote
    Reply#32 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 8:50 PM EST

    Why didn't the Navy just ask the video maker for Royalties? Just thinking outside the box.

    Cheaters Potato Salad

    2 eggs that are scrambled, small onion diced, pickle relish either one will do, Make 3 cups of instant mash potatoes. After the potatoes are the right consistency, mix in eggs, onions, and relish. Salt and pepper to taste. Either eat it then or put it in the refrigerator covered.

      Reply#33 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 8:50 PM EST
      Reply

      I used to think SEALs abided by a code of honor and were above profiteering from their exploits. Unfortunately, they're turning out to be little more than hotdogging, conceited jocks willing to sell out their creed and their country. Perhaps they think their government-sponsored training makes them superior to everyone else?

      • 2 votes
      Reply#34 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 8:52 PM EST
      Reply

      There have been more leaks out of the white house over the last four years than anywhere else. Semper Fi go seals. After bengazi I hope the President is afforded the same security he provided for the ambassador.

      • 2 votes
      Reply#35 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 8:53 PM EST

      td49 you are brain dead

        Reply#36 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 8:53 PM EST

        'bama should be given no reverance as a commander-in-chief. he is one of the 'enemies, foreign OR domestic' that we swore to fight against. send the teams in against him...

        • 1 vote
        Reply#37 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 8:54 PM EST

        Brad, did your parents drop you on your head alot when you where a kid? Just wondering

          #37.1 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 8:57 PM EST

          @Jcool --- At least Brad knows who is father is. What's your excuse?

          • 2 votes
          #37.2 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:11 PM EST

          NC Vet (I doubt) I'll ask dear ole dad when he gets back from your moms house, said he was going over for a real good time like he had last time with her, HEY, maybe your my brother, damn, I sure hope not

            #37.3 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:21 PM EST

            By the way, why are you defending Brad, are you fellows sleeping together? Just wondering.

              #37.4 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:24 PM EST
              Reply

              Some hyper-inflated egos got over fed from their recent exposure. Geez guys... read the papers you signed, and seek permission from your superiors first.

                Reply#38 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 8:55 PM EST

                Spoken like a true jackass, you self-absorbed, ungrateful, gimme gimme gimme POS. These guys put their lives on the line so that a POS like you has the freedom to sit in the comfort of your trailer & talk sh!T !!!

                • 1 vote
                #38.1 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:18 PM EST

                Classy response there Terry. Hyper-inflated egos are a job requirement, just like for successful politicians. That is a given. Then they got the media exposure (bad thing). Then they went where they shouldn't have. They signed an agreement, and they broke it.

                None of that seriously tarnishes my respect for them. It's just a slap in the face to focus their attention back to their jobs.

                So turn off Faux Nuze and detox for a while. Your hatred bucket is overflowing.

                  #38.2 - Fri Nov 9, 2012 6:45 PM EST
                  Reply

                  Listen all you Obama haters you got your ass kicked last night, you lost, you lost big. Shutup and growup, this country doesn't need people like you. Case closed

                    Reply#39 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 8:55 PM EST

                    Stock market crashing, Fema not taking care of people, 30% lay off, maybe he'll do the late show tomorrow and play a round of gulf.

                    • 3 votes
                    #39.1 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:00 PM EST

                    J(not so)cool...It sucks to lose an election but it's worse to see the death of your nation which is what we saw on Tuesday.

                    • 1 vote
                    #39.2 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:03 PM EST

                    @mom411 --- Ouch! Jcool and his ilk think a .53% margin of victory is a mandate. They're simply delusional.

                    • 1 vote
                    #39.4 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:06 PM EST

                    It appears that you also come up short in the math department. Listen real close now and maybe you will understand. PRESIDENT OBAMA WON, if you can't handle it theres a lot of other countries you can go to

                      #39.5 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:28 PM EST
                      Reply

                      reprimand may affect future promotions but can not affect retirement. only courts martial would do that. most service members would earn more on the outside than by staying in. they do it for various reasons: patriotism, they love the action, duty, honor, other members of the teams. but I still think its a bunch of crap for what they do for our country.

                        Reply#40 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 8:57 PM EST

                        Their homes are being foreclosed while they are deployed and many of the actions are illegal, but hey, it's banks, and who messes with them?

                        Their benefits are being cut while Congress votes itself a raise.

                        When they are wounded and discharged they can't get decent medical care.

                        With technology the way it is, it's not as if every major power doesn't already know what all the other powers have and the color of underwear the opposing generals are wearing. I hope the career bitches sitting safely behind their desks three thousand miles from harm's way choke on their reprimands.

                        • 1 vote
                        Reply#41 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 8:59 PM EST

                        I guess these guys didn't get the memo: Only Administration Officials can release secret information, and then only to select entertainment outlets (ie Major campaign donors with the correct political viewpoints). After all, these guys did it for personal gain and we can't have that. It is only allowed for political gain.

                        • 2 votes
                        Reply#42 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:00 PM EST

                        Outstanding - way to punish our SEALS - now go to Egypt and kiss the a$$ of the Muslim Brotherhood.

                        • 4 votes
                        Reply#43 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:01 PM EST

                        what a crock of military @!$%#!

                        • 1 vote
                        Reply#44 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:01 PM EST

                        I am a former SF Medical Sgt. 18Delta, I was active from the mid 70's to the late 80's. I to this day cannot speak of missions & assignments that I was on, due to there nature, and the fact I signed legal documents that forbids any discussion of the missions. You have NO idea how much that pisses off my wife. She asks & I just have to tell her no. I use a phrase I heard President Regan use quite often.. "I don't recall".

                        Never forget.... RLTW

                        • 1 vote
                        Reply#45 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:02 PM EST

                        And I thank you for your service indeed!

                        • 1 vote
                        #45.1 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:09 PM EST
                        Reply

                        Tammy. You cannot write about your duty as a member of the military. SEAL or anything. Once you leave the military, if you had a Top Secret Security clearance, you must submit anything to the military for their evaluation. You cannot work for any company while a member of the military without official permission. These SEAls were working as consultants. Sorry they are due for trouble. They are fortunate they only received a slap on the wrist.

                          Reply#46 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:02 PM EST

                          How hypocritical ! The government uses these HEROES like pawns on a chessboard, leaks info about them & even lets filmmakers make movies about them that helps the President's cause, but God forbid they say anything in the form of an anonymous book, with proceeds going to military charities or these guys giving some of their expertise to game builders looking for realism. God forbid THEY make a buck !!!!!!!

                          • 2 votes
                          Reply#47 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:03 PM EST

                          As a 32 year veteran (Korea & Vietnam), I think punishing those that are have gone through hell to become the world's best trained killers and have gone through hell on earth fighting is absolute bull @!$%#. The people that are in the category of the SEALS, SPECIAL FORCES, RANGERS, MARINE RECON, PARARESCUE FORWARD AIR CONTROLLERS are so damn special that only the best can stand up to the training. The men in this category are not our "boys over there"; they are government trained and paid killers. I'll bet other country's special fighters are laughing at this crap.

                          • 1 vote
                          Reply#48 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:03 PM EST

                          When will the no good azzhole scumbag president be punished for the murder of our Seals, Treason

                          • 5 votes
                          Reply#49 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:04 PM EST

                          Ha Ha, only Obama gets the glory for that situation. Do they not understand how this game works ? ; ) Stay tuned for Obama's version when he writes his "autobiography" in 4 years.

                          • 1 vote
                          Reply#50 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:05 PM EST

                          I think it's a bunch of crap to punish them. They go in where NOONE else will or can and get the job done. Support our troops , don't punish them, they should be able to reveal some things... after all,,, they were they kicking ass! YOU go guys, I support you 120%

                            Reply#51 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:06 PM EST

                            With half the nation getting government handouts, these guys probably feel that they are the only ones left in America not getting a piece of the pie. After all they've sacrificed, that can't set well.

                            • 2 votes
                            Reply#52 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:10 PM EST

                            Let's see. We pay them to kill people and then reprimand them for playing at killing people? But what do I know?

                            • 1 vote
                            Reply#53 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:10 PM EST

                            seal team 6 does not exist. that is a ploy to protect the real team that went in and killed osama and to give the government an out for any shots called that were mistakes. funny stuff. this story must be a complete fabrication.

                            • 1 vote
                            Reply#54 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:11 PM EST

                            =o

                              #54.1 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:11 PM EST
                              Reply

                              They should be kicked out.

                                Reply#55 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:11 PM EST

                                Navy is not in the habit of spending a lot of money on training then kicking someone out for a "minor deal".

                                I don't know and probly can't google the cost of training a seal, but it can't be cheap.

                                  #55.1 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:23 PM EST
                                  Reply
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