You were never there, you didn't participate, what makes you think you know anything about how any of the SEAL teams operate?

First, using this mission as an example of the greater question as to what goes through their heads when in such a mission. Second, you're right, I want there. That's why I'm asking the question. You know, to learn.

Pakistan, an ally, had no knowledge of the mission and gave no authorization. If things had gone tits up then the men on the ground would've found themselves in hostile territory with no support; same goes for any CIA operation. This would've left the administration with a lot of clean up and a PR nightmare.

They had replicas of the compound's exterior because that's all they were able to see. Every attempt to enter the compound to gain more intel was thwarted. They never got a clear picture of the mystery person they assumed to be UBL based in other information. For all they knew this guy was just another link in a long chain.

The helicopters used were experimental and not fully tested in combat.

A lot of things did align that night. This mission could've very well ended badly with nothing to show for the effort.