SEAL who killed bin Laden recalls 9/11 moment that changed his life: ‘Welcome to my world’

From a Kosovo deployment to a historic raid: Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill reflects on 9/11’s legacy

Stuttgart, Germany – The morning of September 11, 2001, had begun like any other day for former Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill, who was on a 40‑day deployment in Kosovo before returning to the German city for a routine assignment. He was preparing equipment and catching up on emails when the world stopped for a moment: television screens across the globe flickered to breaking‑news coverage.

“I’m in an operations center with intel analysts and Navy SEALs, and we all collectively knew that our lives just changed,” O’Neill told Fox News Digital as part of a series of interviews marking the 25th anniversary of the attacks. “At first, there was a hole in the North Tower,” he recalled. “No one even knew what the North Tower of the World Trade Center was that day.”

The first plane had slammed into the North Tower at 8 a.m. Eastern time. Seconds later, the second aircraft struck the South Tower, and the magnitude of the events became immediately clear to O’Neill and his fellow service members. “We’re on a deployment to Germany, we’re probably going to Sudan. We don’t know where,” he said. “The name Usama bin Laden was said in that room, al Qaeda. And we just knew our lives were going to change.”

O’Neill’s reaction was not just professional shock. He stepped out of the secure operations area and dialed a family member back home in Montana. “Hey man, I don’t know if you’re up. Turn the TV on,” he recalled. “He said, ‘Which channel?’ I said, ‘Doesn’t matter.’ And then he turned it on and all I said to him was, ‘Welcome to my world.’”

The attacks reshaped his career trajectory. “I knew, for me, the Navy was never going to be a career,” O’Neill said. “I joined because I thought it was cool, re‑enlisted because of the guys, re‑enlisted because of 9/11, go to SEAL Team Six.” He ultimately served with the elite Special Warfare Unit that executed the 2011 raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan, that killed Osama bin Laden.

Beyond the operational details, O’Neill emphasized the emotional and societal aftermath. He recalled the unity that emerged in the wake of the tragedy: lawmakers from both parties standing together on the Capitol steps singing “God Bless America.” “It was about America first, not foreign interests,” he said. “It was a time of unity.”

Looking back from the perspective of someone who lived the events and later played a role in the pursuit of the mastermind, O’Neill offered a message to those who were not alive on 9/11. “No matter what, at night, don’t go to bed angry with anyone in your family,” he advised. “Hug everyone that’s there and tell them you love them.” He warned that unresolved anger can lead to tragedy, referencing the suicide of a young man on the day of the attacks. “If you can take care of each other, and you master those basics, then the world around you is going to be fine,” he said. “Sometimes it’s better just to put the phone down and go outside and look at the sun.”

O’Neill also pointed to the importance of faith and purpose in a chaotic world. “You’ll know that you’re not random,” he said. “You’re here by design. God loves you. He puts you here on purpose.” His message was particularly aimed at younger Americans. “If you want to do something, leave the house,” he urged. “You can do anything you want. Don’t let the negativity get to you. At any moment you decide, you can do that.”

The former SEAL’s journey began in Butte, Montana, a small mining town that shaped his early life. From there, he traversed the world—from Kosovo to Germany, then to the clandestine operations of SEAL Team Six and the high‑stakes mission in Pakistan. He returned home many times, and each trip seemed to reinforce his belief that the country’s unity and resilience could be a source of strength for future generations.

The 25th anniversary of 9/11 has prompted many to reflect on the nation’s response to tragedy. In his interview, O’Neill underscored both the progress made and the work that remains. He highlighted the importance of focusing on family, community, and first responders—those who stepped in when the nation needed them most.

As the nation marks the anniversary, O’Neill’s story serves as a reminder that the events of September 11 reshaped not only military strategy but also the personal lives and values of those who served