Yes, it's bad that the government lied to cover themselves up... But if you think about it open minded in the eyes of Ranger regiment and even Pat Tillman, it may make sense.

Do you know anyone in Ranger regiment? The pride they have in that regiment are second to none. Rangers are the most professional infantry unit in the world, second to none. They constantly work along side CAG DEVGRU, ect. Regiment has been deployed, in country, for the war on terror for 16 years straight

Now from Pat's view, Pat and his brother were extreme realists, (watch his brothers speech at his funeral). Death is death, but do you really want the regiment you have so much pride in to be slammed and slashed upon your death because of a mistake which was a complete anomaly for the regiment? This is a regiment that he left his career in the NFL for directly. He wanted to be the best in the army and joined the army.

I'm not saying what the government did was right, but I think if Pat could have had a choice how it was revealed to the public, he would rather covered it up to save face of the regiment. As an Army Ranger that's personally what I would rather as well. Not to make me seem like a hero, but to save face in the unit I have so much pride in.