Veterans Affairs Backlog

  A Thousand Words

No Spank You!

I grew up playing Ghost Recon and the Rainbow 6 series. These games portrayed an aspect of digital-combat that is largely forgotten today, that being of course the tactical shooter. Having said that, I’ve been following two games that are attempting to replicate that genre – Takedown and Ground Branch.

Ground Branch has remained in development hell for a long time, while Takedown: Red Sabre is gearing up to launch on the 20th of September. Regardless of some of the shady dealings Serellan has been involved with (Anon hacker group & IP pilfering) since the games inception, I was still looking forward to the title. I wanted that old-school feeling of planning an operation, choosing my load-out, and taking down some bad guys with my buddies in an online match.

That is until I saw the launch trailer which represents the final product.

 

Talk about horrendous.  Not only does it not feature a campaign (not really a big deal), or a planning phase, but the animations are ugly, the sound design is sub-par, and the visuals are highly lacking. Some of these issues can easily be forgiven, but the shooting mechanics and weapon manipulation appear overtly clunky, not to mention the unrealistic reloading animations. You're also stuck with a lot of 2D optics, the kind that completely eliminate any and all peripheral vision. Here I was thinking it was 2013 and not 2003. 

Judging by the trailer, it certainly looks a budget title, the kind you used to find in a bin at stores. 

At least they had the good conscience to charge a budget price for a budget game.

The Bracelet

I've had a bracelet on my wrist for the better part of four years now (everyone in my old unit can attest to this). It's a hero bracelet. The kind stamped with a name, a service, and date of death. It's a black bracelet.

I never knew him. I bought it because a large portion of the proceeds go to Veterans Groups, and I liked that. I also bought it because people forget. They forget what we do. They forget the sacrifices we make. They forget we do this for the men to our left and right. I didn't want to forget.

Starring at it yesterday, I thought I'd do a bit of research. I know it's a bit belated given the date on the bracelet, but I thought it prudent nonetheless. This is what I found.

http://projects.militarytimes.com/valor/marine-cpl-robert-p-warns-ii/501913 

http://www.scuttlebuttsmallchow.com/mardeath111b.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/2316-100_162-639715-55.html

Semper Fidelis - You are not forgotten

http://www.bobbywarns.com/

De Oppresso Liber

Wounded Warrior Needs Your Help

In October of 2012, SFC Josh Gillette, a member of 5th Group, was conducting a dismounted patrol in the Helmand Province along with his ODA Team and his Explosives Detection K-9, Banan. Little did he know, that patrol would change his life in ways he hadn't imagined.

SFC Gillette and Banan were sweeping a structure atop a hill for IED's. Banan lead the way with Josh following behind as they began searching the rooms for devices. It wasn't long until his K-9 was alerted to a potential IED, and Josh was aware that he and Banan may have walked over the device several times without realizing it.

With Banan unable to locate its exact position, SFC Gillette turned around and began walking back over his own steps. With a prevalence of Pressure Plate Initiated Devices in Helmand, walking over ones own steps can typically ensure you avoid triggering the IED. Unfortunately however, that wasn't the case here.

The IED exploded sending SFC Gillette and Banan flying, and from the comments of his teammates, well over 50 feet into the air. Josh came to rest in a bush, his kit ripped in two, his weapon bent into a almost perfect V, and his ballistic plate concaved outwards. His FAST Helmet would later be found 100 meters away from where he landed.

With his teammates providing causality care to a severely wounded Gillette, Josh's primary concern was that of his dog. He would later be told that Banan had been killed in the blast. An event he is still distraught over.

SFC Gillette's face had been shattered in the explosion along with his right arm and most of his teeth. Frag had impacted his eyes. Skin from his thigh had to be used rebuild his face. His vision comes and goes but the doctors are optimistic as to his eyesight's recovery. At present, he has undergone more surgeries than I count with still more planned.

I spoke with Josh today via the phone who is recovering at Walter Reed. He is in remarkably good spirits and I'm confident he'll make a full recovery.

What he and his family need now is your help. A traumatic event like this not only takes a toll on your body and emotional state, but on that of your family, and their income as well. I'm hoping you guys will spread the word and possibly donate to help them out. Special thanks to Shain Gillette for reaching out and contacting me. I never would've know about Josh had he not done so.

FCN/ABC Story on Josh
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/rss/article/293997/483/First-Coast-solider-recovering-from-bomb-blast-in-Afghanistan

Please visit and donate
http://www.indiegogo.com/Thewarhero?c=home

Sweeping Shit Under the Rug

"What Difference Does it Make?!"

 What little respect I previously had for Secretary Clinton has now dissipated. 

During a heated exchange with Sen. Ron Johnson (R) on the question of the Benghazi attack and its perpetrators, Secretary Clinton exploded into a ridiculous tirade when questioned as to how the attack began.

The fact is we had four dead Americans! Was it because of a protest or was it because of guys out for a walk one night who decided they’d go kill some Americans? What difference at this point does it make?

It makes a difference if you and the Administration lied to the public and then redacted the official cables. That's why it matters.  

It's Stolen and I Know It... Again

Another Fake SEAL for the Books

I didn't know SEAL's were morbidly obese! You learn something new everyday.

I'm getting a lot of these emails as of late after busting Curtis Lynn, a SF/ODA faker. You know, the ones where people contact me trying to vet a person who claims to be or have been a member of the U.S. Military or Special Operations Community. Luckily though, being in of the Armed Forces myself, I have routes to explore that civilians simply don't. And I know people, or people who know people... you get it.

I received an email from someone who was concerned that a member of his organization might be full of shit. This individual has been making outrageous claims, running his suck about his exploits, and generally violating OPSEC (if he had been the real deal).

Below is the initial email requesting I look into this guy and his claims. Click the images for the full resolution.

Below is the crew roster for the Alabama (SSBN-731) in which Patty Boy claims to have been the XO of at one time. No Patrick Gabbard to have ever served aboard that boat in either a enlisted or officer billet.

As you can plainly see, this individual with a face only a mother could love, is 110% full of shit. With the evidence in hand, I shot what I had at the time back to Eric. Did this ass-hat shut his fat trap and carry on? No, no he didn't. Patrick did however try to play the National Security card and began threatening Eric.

People like Patrick seem to think they're safe in the lie they've perpetrated, they don't realize that a vanguard of actual SEAL's exists looking for people making false claims. I happen to know a few. Two of those are Don Shipley and Scott (last name removed). They go out of their way to bust the fakers and post the results online for all to see. Check out Don Shipley's Phoney SEAL of the Week on his YouTube channel for more posers like Patrick.

Below is the response I received from Scott via Senior Chief Shipley and the UDT-SEAL Association

concerning Patrick Gabbard.

Below is the text of Don's email if the screenshot is hard to make out.

I love it when these assholes bring up the National Security thing and CIA covers... Tell that jerkoff to bring me up on charges... Don 

Sir, I greatly appreciate your interest in upholding the honor of the US Navy SEAL Teams, and your search for the TRUTH. Before answering your questions I must make clear that I am a private individual, not affiliated with the US Dept. of Defense or any other government organization. My efforts to expose SEAL imposters are performed as a service to the public, and in honor of my fallen SEAL Teammates… men who truly earned the right to the title “US NAVY SEAL” but who are no longer able to stand forward in defense of their honor, their reputations, and their TEAMs. 

If the name you provided is spelled correctly, I do NOT find a listing in the SEAL Database (SEAL Teams and predecessor units from 1943 to the Present Day) for anyone named PATRICK GABBARD. I have also examined possible alternate spellings, and names with similar pronunciations without finding any that appear to be applicable. 

Unless he has undertaken the unlikely action of a legal name change (an action for which there would be evidence in the form of court documentation) since his claimed participation in SEAL training, and based upon the information you have provided, I can state conclusively that PATRICK GABBARD has NEVER COMPLETED SEAL training, and he is not now, nor was he ever a Navy SEAL, a Navy UDT “Frogman”, a member of any Naval Combat Demolition Unit (NCDU), or a member of the Naval Amphibious Scouts & Raiders (S&R). 

Many SEAL imposters when confronted with the information I have provided will resort to claiming that their records are sealed, burned or their SEAL Operations were Classified and that there are no official records of them. Before any classified operations may be undertaken as a SEAL Operator, a man must first successfully complete the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training program and then the follow-on secondary training program. 

The names of all those who successfully graduate from that training program sequence are compiled in the SEAL database. Later participation in classified operations has "no impact" on whether or not a person is listed as a graduate of the training program. 

There are records of every man who has qualified for the title of “SEAL”; there have been and will continue to be secret missions, but there are NO secret SEALs. 

For additional confirmation of my findings regarding Mr. PATRICK GABBARD 's lack of SEAL credentials you may contact the Public Affairs Office at the NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE COMMAND in Coronado, California by telephoning (619) 537-1133. You may also contact the UDT-SEAL Association via email at info@udtseal.org, or by telephone at (757) 318-3764; while they are not formal/official representatives of the US Navy, they have been granted access to the SEAL Database in order to verify credentials of potential members. You may also consider contacting the Naval Special Warfare Archives by email at archives@frii.com; that organization is responsible for creating the original SEAL Database and their extensive collection of documentation exceeds even that held by the US Navy. 

Thank you again for your concern in this matter, and for your assistance in upholding the honor of the US Navy SEAL Teams. If I can be of any further assistance to you in this matter, please contact me at your convenience. 

Respectfully, Don Shipley BUD/S 131, SEAL Team ONE, SEAL Team TWO. Owner http://www.extremesealexperience.com/

Isn't a SEAL. Never was a SEAL. And by the looks of him, never will be... Verifiable proof that Patrick Gabbard is a douche-canoe and lying scumbag.

UPDATE: Eric is currently being stonewalled and the evidence provided has been pushed aside. If they're willing to do to that even with the overwhelming material provided, I think Patrick "Down Syndrome" Gabbard is in good company with the rest of the human slime over there. As for Patrick, well, I wouldn't be surprised if he was paid a visit sometime in the near future.

I'd like to thank the following people for their help in this endeavor.

Don Shipley (Navy SEAL)

Scott (Navy SEAL)

The UDT-SEAL Association

Gordon (SF Contacts)

George (Capt. USMC)

Michael (Army CID)

End SEAL fakery and save Don Shipley before he drinks himself to death.

I don't know what it's called; I only know the sound it makes when it lies!

Letters

No Truer Words

 

Pain, happiness, friendship, death. It smells of diesel and dead animals. Eating meals within arm’s length of corpses. Men you laughed with the day before. 

People wonder if leaders are born or made. All I know is you can see it in a man’s eyes. Problem is, leaders end up where they're needed most, and eventually, that’s war. 

If you do wear the uniform one day remember something; If you put it on, you don’t get to choose the war or what happens when you get there. 

There’s no right or wrong in combat. There’s only what you did. You do your best, and you try to live with it.