Former Navy SEAL Robert O'Neill reflects on America's 250th anniversary, citing opportunity and warning of "victimhood" culture

O'Neill, who served with SEAL Team 6, framed his own career trajectory — leaving home, joining the military, and advancing through a merit-based selection process — as evidence that the United States still rewards effort and persistence. "You can do anything, seriously, in this country," he told Fox News Digital, adding that he attributed much of his personal success to "not quitting."

Reflecting on the SEAL selection process, O'Neill described SEAL Team 6 as "proof of equal opportunity," explaining that candidates are judged solely on performance: "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." He said the team itself represented what he called "the greatness of the country."

O'Neill expressed concern about what he characterized as a growing "victimhood" mindset in American culture, which he said was accompanied by a retreat from teaching history. "Part of the issue is we stop teaching our kids the past, and we're actually raising a lot of victims," he said. He suggested this dynamic may stem from the country's prosperity, saying people "have to look back on the past and invent problems."