8/7/2006
1st Sergeant Jimbo, 2 years in the National Guard
Now it looks like the stuff is really going to hit the fan. Jimbo from Blackfive, agreed to a ‘truce’ with Jack. He said he wouldn’t post for a week on Jack while he did some research and contacted the real guys behind the scenes. Someone tell me why I’m not surprised that he he didn’t honor it.
So let’s ask a few questions…like…*Who owned and what is Blue Sky Security Company?
Which guy is for real? Fat cheesehead boy standing next to a broken down birdbath with the cows in Wisconsin, or the soldier in the sterile khaki uniform in Southern Afghanistan with the assault rifle? Gosh, people, where did your brain cells go?
Sorry to burst your bubble all you Jimbo fans out there, but Jimbo is NOT what he claims he is at Blackfive
Retired Special Operations Master Sergeant, James Hanson is now focused on writing about the military, politics, intelligence operations and foreign policy.
—Jim Hanson aka Uncle Jimbo was a 1st Sergeant in the National Guard for 2 years, and got out of the army 16 years ago. He said he would change the information at Blackfive “when I get around to it.”
But under this fake persona of ‘retired special operations Master Sergeant’, Jimbo has inserted himself, much like Joe Cafasso, into talking about things military and politics, intelligence operations and foreign policy. At least he doesn’t identify himself as a PHD, or a specialist in areas of national security like Cafasso–as Gerry Blackwood.
But as I suspect, his changing his bio at blackfive ‘when he got around to it’ is probably BS, too; he’ll never ‘get around to it’. Does anyone wonder what kind of damage people can do to the war on terror or things military when guys pretend to be something they’re not with a fake resume like this? Does anyone wonder what kind of damage a milblog does when people are going there for information from people who they are assuming are the real deal and are representing themselves truthfully when they’re not?
Regardless as to whether or not he’s a former 1st Sergeant or Master Sergeant, what else do you suppose he’s lying about if he can’t represent himself as the person he truly is?
Jimbo, don’t you understand that we are at WAR? And what a horrible thing it is for posers to pretend to have an affiliation with SF or Spec Ops when there are still real SF soldiers out there with ample resources available to them to check you out? Don’t you have any idea what kind of damage you can do to the guys who are risking their lives in the field with this poser pretender BS?
So watch for the audio files to go up and listen for yourself at Rogue Radio Live.
Euphoric Reality linked with Euphoric Reality
Euphoric Reality linked with Euphoric Reality
Techography - Laugh Screm or Cry linked with Techography - Laugh Screm or Cry
August 7th, 2006 at 8:55 pm
Game on Beeyotch!
I will let Idema know that even though he knows who I am silly fools like you slander me. I repeat, STFU!
Cordially,
Uncle J
August 7th, 2006 at 8:59 pm
Slander is false information knowingly posted to intentionally damage someone’s credibility, Jimbo.
So let’s get it straight. You posted false information on yourself for yourself, by yourself, and you fully admitted it. So–bring it on, if you’re such a tough guy–and don’t forget your .357.
Readers will find the audio files of you blubbering, pissing in your pants and searching for words- a real hoot at Rogue Radio Live.
August 7th, 2006 at 11:24 pm
Can you tell those guys at Rogue Radio to encode their archived broadcasts? The 103MB wav file is huge, excessive, and a waste of bandwidth, both to the users and the server. Strongly recommend that somebody encode it into a proper format [MP3?] so not only is it smaller and easier to access, but more portable as an podcast.
August 7th, 2006 at 11:41 pm
I find it never endingly ironic that someone who has never served in the military is being critical of someone who has served, and demanding he reenlist when the accuser has never enlisted herself.
How sweet!
August 8th, 2006 at 5:40 am
There are many wanna-be’s out there and many who talk a good game - Idema has the gift of gab but he damn sure backs it up with ACTION. I have seen these jealous so-called “soliders” crawl out of the wood work for nine years now, they are all alike with nothing to do with their lives except blast Idema - get a life!!!
August 8th, 2006 at 7:45 am
Hey-put that bong away and tell me where I ‘demanded he reenlist’. For starters, let’s just see a picture of him in a uniform.
All kinds of civilians are pointing out Murtha’s record, John Kerry’s record, and people have posted about Cafasso, too, so what’s your deal. Is it only someone who ‘claims to have worn a uniform’ who is allowed to comment on this?
Ok, maybe I should be like Jimbo, Joe Cafasso or bloodspite and put up some BS profile with a fake military background. Would that make you feel better?
Thanks for commenting, Viktoria.
August 8th, 2006 at 8:59 am
Credit where credit is due. You *insinuated* it with your very first line and the title of your Previous post
“Another Armchair Quarterback”
“Excuse me, but Uncle Jimbo, who is here in the US “Well luckily, you’re not serving now, are you Uncle Jimbo?”
By your very arguement, you are nothing more than an armchair QB yourself.
Bong? heh. Right. Sorry never touch the stuff.
My record has been verified, and I have proven myself enough times that I’m not going to go whipping out my DD-214 for every Tom **** and Harry that comes along asking questions. They can do look it up in any Military Yearbook. Or my own pictures on my own website. Beyond that my credentials stand.
How does a convicted felon’s credentials stan dup next to that?
August 8th, 2006 at 9:19 am
[…] Tuesday, August 08 2006 @ 10:01 EDT Contributed by: BloodSpite Views: 0 So Cao is firing salvo after Salvo against Uncle Jimbo.Jimbo meanwhile stirred the pot because he got a Telephone Call. This was after Cao’s first article name calling Jimbo and the folks commenting there. The source of her agnst?Jimbo doesn’t agree with her on whats, in my opinion, the most foolish thing to argue about in the world.Jack Idema.It reminds me of the scene in Band of Brothers where Liebgott and Guarnere are slugging it out on the boat to England.”Fighting over Sobel. Thats smart”About my reaction here. Either way the name calling and vemenetic reaction from Cao over this disagreement I think was also unwarranted. Jimbo being who is responded in typical Wep Spec fashion, guns blazing. . A further note that now Cao is demanding Jimbo show everyone his credentials and is criticising his time in service. Mind you of course, she’s never served a day. I’m noticing more and more people when they can’t get their way demanding we identify our selves, and sow them all sorts of credentials that they get to be the Judge and Jury of. Forget it. I’m either good enough for you to read me, enjoy it, disagree with it, agree with it, E-mail, comment, or otherwise, we’re fairly rationale around here. But I’m not whipping out my real name and military information just because somebody on the Internet disagree’s with what I say. Yeah I know. I don’t play fair. I didn’t do real well at recess in grade school either.What’ll happen next? Who knows. I’ll side with Jimbo in this one, mostly because I will not support a criminal. Sorry. I’m just a little bit more picky about my *coughhack* …”role models” than that. I’m the same way about sports hero’s too. Deal with it. Prediction: Jimbo will be vindicated, Idema will continue to sit in jail, and we’ll all go back to blogging the latest news. Well, most of us anyway. Heh. […]
August 8th, 2006 at 1:05 pm
Way to go ladies. Jack is real, the others are posers. I know who Cao is, and assume “Viktoria” is Viktoria Idema? Is that a real post Cao?
So, you women should know who it is slamming you. BLOODSPITE is none other than one Paul Jackson, thrown out of the 82nd Airborne as a private about 15 years ago. But if you read his profile at his blog and other places, he claims to be a “real” Green Beret, war hero, etc, etc:
Here’s a “joe” quote, aka Paul Jackson”:
As if that aint enough, the loser poser blogger goes on:
But if that aint enough ********, PRIVATE Paul Jackson goes on to say how he crashed into a tree in a combat parachute jump. Problem is, drugs and alcohol got him out of the army, and the same thing sent his car into a tree. But you can’t be a Green Beret hero bashing into a tree in your brokedown Toyota, so instead you fabricate a complete cover story about how a C-130 Combat Talon dropped you in the wrong place. Spare us the ******** Paul.
And what about firing first and your so-called Rules of Engagement (did you even know what it stood for)? No one started investigating who you were and what your real background was until you decided to stroll on over to BLACKFIVE and back up those other posers, including JIMBO, and fire off some **** about Idema. And SOCOM does give out names of real heroes *******.
So here is a news flash, now we know who you are Mr. Verizon pole climber, We know what you were, PRIVATE JACKSON- kicked out of the army, and we know where you are, and you know we know. To the news flash, if “Viktoria” on this blog is who we think it is, and you go after his ex-wife, he is probably going to tear out your throat and eat it. Unless somebody at Bragg gets to you first, then they’ll probably do it for him.
So do everyone a favor, and crawl back in your hole and save your covert mission, black ops, spook, killer, Green Beret, parachute crash, war expert ******** for your redneck Malt liquor buddies in Arkansas.
And by the way, take Uncle Jimbo with you. Turns out your hero boy was never on a team, was never a Master Sergeant in Special Forces or Special Operations, and no one at 1st Special Forces Group (ABN) seems to know him or remember him.
Uncle Jambo is not on the 1988 1st SFG(A)roster, or any jump manifest we can find, and it’s a hoot seeing Uncle Jimbo’s picture compared to Jack Idema’s picture. Especially when you consider that Idema graduated the SF course 14 years before Uncle Jambo supposedly did, and was still at war in Afghanistan in 2001/2002, 14 years after Uncle Jambo was discharged from the National Guard.
Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see which one is the real Green Beret. Suck that gut in Jimbo, buy yourself another beer, and stock up on some more phony medals at your local Madison Surplus Store.
August 8th, 2006 at 1:20 pm
I think your actions here and at Blackfive only do you and your cause a disservice.
Just two cents from a Marine wife and Mom (sort of pre-empting that whole chickenhawk smear) watching all of this with more than a little disgust.
August 8th, 2006 at 1:37 pm
You’re entitled to your opinion, but Uncle Jimbo is a fraud. And it’s going to come out whether people like you like it or not.
How dare he claim to be something that he’s not!
Viktoria is Jack’s wife. I suppose she isn’t entitled to HER opinion either?
August 8th, 2006 at 1:43 pm
I’m not quite sure what you mean by “people like you” when referring to me.
People who read blogs?
As for Viktoria being entitled to her opinion…
of course she is and I never said otherwise.
Please do not put words in my mouth.
August 8th, 2006 at 1:50 pm
Then maybe you should shut it.
August 8th, 2006 at 1:59 pm
You know, I came over here to understand the whole
situation about Jack Idema but you’re way of dealing with anyone who doesn’t sip your koolaid is so off-putting that, as I said before, it does a disservice to perhaps a rightful cause.
So with that being said, I’ll chalk this up to almost as much fun as watching Deb Frisch frisch herself.
Almost.
August 8th, 2006 at 2:00 pm
I don’t have enough military knowledge/contacts, so I have to mostly use intuition in taking sides on this. But I have to ask a very sincere question:
Cao, is there anybody out there who comes down on the side against Idema that you believe isn’t a poseur?
That’s an honest question. Truly.
August 8th, 2006 at 2:07 pm
Over the next day or two, you’ll find the definite answer to that question in the form of a detailed post, FbL. Look at what Viktoria says; I think the people who really know what’s going on like his past three commanders who posted on that thread that Jimbo shut down in a hurry because REAL GUYS were coming forward-the REAL PEOPLE who know him like Viktoria Idema- have a firm opinion that is much more of an educated one than the drive-by commenters or Uncle Jimbo–who, unfortunately for him, appears to be a complete liar at this point in time.
Do guys like that just assume nobody’s going to ever check?
August 8th, 2006 at 3:17 pm
I wasn’t asking about Jimbo. Just wondering if any of Idema’s detractors pass the test for you…
In other words: are there people out there whom you respect but who have come to different conclusions about Idema?
August 8th, 2006 at 3:27 pm
Paul Jackson?
Sorry not me. Thank you for playing. Especially as I have never been or claimed to be affiliated with the 82nd Airborne division.
Nor am I.
Keep trying.
But be warned. If you get the answer correct and post it anywhere with contact information I will prosecute to the full letter of the law.
I think such screed’s are little more than a way to draw attention away from the argument in place.
August 8th, 2006 at 4:05 pm
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August 8th, 2006 at 4:22 pm
No, FbL. The posers were quoted in “Tin Soldier” and “Desert Fraud” by the two girlfriends Mariah Blake and Stacy Sullivan, two journalists who roomed together at Columbia Univeristy- who never won any awards or had even been to the middle east. Those two pieces are one of the reasons why people are saying what they’re saying–based totally on **** that today is known as ‘journalism’, based on lies.
By contrast, you have Eric Campbell, Elizabeth Neuffer and Jon Lee Anderson, all award winning journalists, who SAW what he was doing, verified his background and could attest to what he was doing as legitimate; an American Liaison to the Northern Alliance. As I recall,
A lot of folks are confused about what a real Green Beret does, unfortunately–a guy who is trained to be dropped with virtually the clothes on his back into a country and recruit indigenous people to fight. Very few people can lay claim to that training or distinction. And Jack’s specialty is counter terrorism - human intelligence; and that narrows it down even further.
And Uncle Jimbo claims he won’t take it from anyone unless he knows them. Well truck drivers, grunts and cherries are a dime a dozen, as Jimbo said, he was one of them; nobody would know his name. Jack knows many Command Sergeant Majors personally, who will vouch for him, and unfortunately Jimbo doesn’t hang in those circles.
To get a picture of this; Aaron Banks was 99 years old in a wheelchair and Idema was sitting at the head table at that reunion. Most guys can only stand and watch from the sidelines, such is the real history of Jack Idema in Special Forces. You can call him an ******* all you want, the fact is he’s the real deal, as Tom Bumback and so many others have said here.
Have you seen the letters of recommendation this guy has? It’s ridiculous that these little wusses on the internet are coming forward as though they’re ‘real experts’.
Funny…a guy like Jack Bauer is idolized by people across America, and Bauer does a lot more terrible things than Jack has ever done, and people applaud him.
Idema is a real person; doing the same kind of work–and he is treated like a pariah and worse by the people who should be thanking God that men like him exist in this world.
“People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” — George Orwell
August 8th, 2006 at 7:49 pm
This is the same thing I posted on Blackfive:
I ran across this argument today, and spent several hours reading both sides, including the news articles critical of idema.
What I’d like is to see everyone put their cards on the table. I mean resume, supporting docs, etc. Not “I already did that.”
The reason I ask is that fake military resumes are common on the Internet. I knew one guy who claimed he was in ‘nam, had the lingo down, but, when I searched on his real name, I found that he was too young to have served in ‘nam. And, the funny thing was, he was the one accusing others of being fakes.
So, how ’bout it? Can we see the data so we can decide for ourselves who is the pretender?
BTW, I do not hold peacetime service against anyone. It wasn’t your fault they didn’t throw a war while you were in. (I served in peacetime, in a totally non-combat role, and make no claims to heroism.)
August 9th, 2006 at 12:27 am
Paul, do all the damage control you want, it’s too late, you are who you are, unless you want to disprove us, and send your 201 photo to us (we promise not to post if if its real) and a copy of your 214, or your JFKSWCS diploma to us. Which we also promise not post or use if its real.
Actually, we will post an apology, buy you a beer, and bascially kiss your ***.
We are not worried about payment, because, like Uncle Jimbo, you are a fake. Just another loser on the internet pretending to be a ******* war hero.
Sitting here sweating my balls off tdy and miserable in an ungrateful shithole called Iraq, I must add one more thing,
I want to puke.
On you.
August 9th, 2006 at 12:37 am
Dear Carrie,
If you want to understand the Jack Idema “thing” then perhaps you should visit the 2001-2003 articles the press wrote then, when he was their Golden Boy. Perhaps you should view pictures not empty words of bloggers.
Perhaps you should look up The Hunt For Bin Laden on Amazon. Not one real SF operator in the war contradicted the story, just poser bloggers who had never been to war. The SAME ones trashing him now.
There you go. Live and Learn.
August 9th, 2006 at 12:45 am
Oh, and by the way Carrie and Crew, the afghan Lawyers Association announced yesteray that Jack and his men were completely innocent, maybe you didn’t hear the news.
Don’t hose em, get em out.
Afghan Bar Association
August 9th, 2006 at 3:25 am
I really don’t understand why you make every attempt you possibly can to piss of as many people as you can Cao?
Personally, I could care less about this Blackvive/Idema Special Forces blathering. It’s ignorant in-fighting within the patriotic right and would be much better served by unifying. You, Cao, have been the center for disdain for longer than I can remember. You and people like you were the reason I quit blogging for so long. Your disrespect for those that don’t fall lock-step (not a Na.zi reference) behind you is probably the most disheartening thing I see on blogs anywhere. It rivals that of the Kos’ “who cares if the mercenaries die” comments.
You are hurting your party. I beg you stop acting this way for the good of others.
No need to counterattack. I’ll see myself out.
August 9th, 2006 at 3:55 am
I am just curious how you make 1sgt in the guard in two years? Cao if you can give me that answer, jeez, I am joining.
Cao, your a tool, Idema is a poser. Look at his damn picture. For being such an “operator” his uniform is pretty damn clean. I dont think any of the contractors and SOF people I have seen in Afghanistan ever looked at spit shined as he does.
Wake the **** up and join us in reality. Jimbo is who he says he is.
August 9th, 2006 at 4:04 am
Ahhh, Jeremy, I just stand up for what I believe in, apparently some arrogant ******** like you don’t think I have the right to do that on my own blog.
That’s so funny and stupid, lol…what are you trying to say NOW…that he isn’t in Afghanistan because his uniform looks clean?
Well isn’t that just tough.
Not to worry, more will be posted soon.
August 9th, 2006 at 4:25 am
Notice how the guys actually IN THE FIELD are coming to his defense–seems to me the guys back home should be supporting them, but that’s just me. We send them over there, and then hang them out to dry? Pretty pathetic.
The Afghans declare them innocent, and you guys just ignore that. I don’t understand the rhetoric, to be honest with you.
I’m a supporter of our military, not someone who is going to tear down someone’s reputation because of jealousy. Idema’s been doing this for the last 30 years and he has the stuff to prove it.
These men have been forced to repeatedly disprove rumor and innuendo. Journalists simply through out lies based on rumor, hearsay, and unnamed sources or no source, hoping something will stick, and then other journalists pick it up and report it as gospel. Take a look at some of these pictures and information about Jack Idema and tell me this is a bunch of BS, too.
From Superpatriots–REAL SF Guys who know him and have his back:
During the 2001 War in Bamian, western Afghanistan
Jack stitching up a soldier’s leg in a desert fort in Gardez during Operation Anaconda
Jack leading a patrol of Afghan MOD and Ministry of Interior Troops during the 2002 War. From Rotty Pup: Here we see Idema leading a column of Afghan Ministry of Interior troops in 2002. Doubtless, it was the sunglasses and gun that fooled the large number of government soldiers into following him. After all, we’re sure this kind of thing happens all the time. You know, an American guy turns up at the barracks and everyone just follows him out for a quick romp across the desert. Why, Idema must have felt like a kind of heavily-armed Pied Piper. Hmm.
Jack at Dostum’s Qali-Jangi fortress during the 2001 war (Jack was supposedly never there either)
Jack carrying a wounded little girl into the German ISAF surgical tent during the Nahrin earthquake disaster, picture by an Afghan soldier (According to “journalists” Jack supposedly made up everything in the Hunt For Bin Laden - do an internet search on an AP story called “Jack Does House Calls- Nahrin Earthquake) - April 2002 Jack spent eight hours getting this little girl down from a village where everyone else was afraid to go. She would have lost her leg had it not been for some brilliant German Army surgeons);
At a press conference with General Hazrat Ali in December 2002- Maxim claims Jack told the General that this was a group of DOD reporters– Now lets see– could the General really be that stupid? An ABC microphone on the table, Newsweek’s interpreter, and a bunch of people wearing press jackets? Duh. Hazrat Ali is one of the smartest men in Afghanistan, and one of America’s best friends– he gave press conferences weekly, sometimes daily, but Maxim wants you to believe that Jack conned him- yeah right, that’s why they’re still close friends. (Owe, almost forgot, the press claims that Jack was publicity hungry during the war– TRY to find this picture ever before with Jack in it. Not possible. Jack had himself cut from all pics that day, and the only agreement the press there made, contrary to lies by stupid journalists we are sure Jack will see in court one day, is that they would agree not to have Jack in their pictures- check the book THE HUNT FOR BIN LADEN - Jack is clipped OUT of the picture)
Jack-handing his US Passport to the Chief of the Border Police at Kabul Airport in April 2004, where TASK FORCE SABER 7 was met by a HUGE entourage, which included the Chief of the Border Police, the Chief of Customs, The Chief of the National Police, The Kabul Police Chief, and one of Karzai’s brothers. This should dispel the notion that they entered the country “illegally”. But if not, there are also tapes of this.
Idema FINDING the Real Explosives- NOT “Traces” as reported in Rolling Stone. This is a piece of A1X2 explosive (similar to SEMTEX Explosive except is is incendiary and untraceable by bomb dogs). Thanks to TF SABER7 ISAF and US MPs at Bagram were able to obtain 4 kilos of this explosive to train their bomb dogs. Prior to finding this explosive in Serajan’s pillow, neither US or Coalition Forces had the ability to detect this special explosive which was designed for sabotage and terror attacks. A search of the house netted the team explosives, detonators, firing devices, ammunition, and IEDs inside pillows, rice bags, and mattresses. The French Foreign Legion, Netherlands EOD Teams, and Swedish Liaison officers all thanked Jack profusely.
This photograph was supplied to Rolling Stone by Polaris Images in NY, yet Rolling Stone still stated only “traces” of explosive were found. This is enough A1X2 to flip a car over the roof of the US Embassy, if used correctly. Traces? We believe the press is saying this because they can not bring themselves to admit they were wrong and that these men found and captured the real terrorists that were going to kill American soldiers.
From Rotty Pup: Apparently not content with working these miraculous deceptions on credulous Iraqi and German troops, this time Jack’s convinced top Afghan Corps Commanders of his legitimacy. From left to right: 1- Afghan CIA officer (required to be cropped out of picture before publication), 2) General Wassiq - Mazar, 3) Jack, 4) General Daoud - Kunduz & Taliqon, 5) General Atta - Mazar, 6, General Hazrat Ali - Jalalabad, 7) General Gulhaider- Southern Front command. Apparently, the military top brass on show here all believed they were meeting to coordinate Idema’s operations throughout Afghanistan. It’s a good thing the chattering classes who run the BBC were around to put them straight!
This is a picture of a meeting that occurred in May 2004, between the TOP Corps Commander Generals who then controlled each of the Corps Commands throughout Afghanistan. These are ALL Lieutenant Generals or full Generals at the time, and two are now governors, one is a deputy minister in charge of opium/heroin interdiction (working on a project and plan Jack introduced), and another is a top ministry of defense official now. From Left to Right:
1- Afghan CIA officer (required to be cropped out of picture before publication),
2) General Wassiq - Mazar,
3) Jack,
4) General Daoud - Kunduz & Taliqon,
5) General Atta - Mazar,
6) General Hazrat Ali - Jalalabad,
7) General Gulhaider- Southern Front command.
This meeting was to coordinate Jack’s operations throughout Afghanistan. ANYONE reading this should be asking plenty of questions-
On Unmotivated and Unprofessional:
A. Jack Idema was an Honor Graduate in his 1975 Special Forces Communications Course- and received a letter of commendation from the commander (Idema’s final score was a perfect 100).
B. He was the Distinguished Graduate in Phase I of his Special Forces Course. He was one of only 16 to graduate out of a class of 1250 Airborne and Ranger qualified soldiers to start selection. He set eleven records Light Weapons Records in his Phase II Special Forces Light & Heavy Weapons Course. According to the Chief of the SF Weapons office at least three records still stood in 2004 (just shy of 30 years later).
C. In 1976, according to official records at JFKSWC (JFKCENMA/JFKSWCS) he was chosen to participate in the most elite course in the Army; the Special Weapons and Hand to Hand Combat Instructor School.
D. Within six months Idema was qualified as the youngest instructor ever, and one of only 11 (there were 44 total in all service branches and combined Special Ops units)
E. In November 1976 he was chosen to go to USAJFKSWC-SFUWOC, the Army’s “Navy SEAL” Course. He broke two swimming records - You can call the school HQs to confirm this- We heard this from a former commander there.
F. Over the next five years he went to various NATO schools, including German Mountain Climbing, Ski School, City Warfare School, and was on the Special Forces Pistol Team where he competed at the Camp Perry National Matches, ranking 6th in all combined services on his first attempt. Thousands of the best shooters in the world compete. He also competed at the Secret Service matches and shot a “possible” (a perfect 100) at the NA Day FBI matches at Camp Peekskill (a “possible” means your target is sent to Quantico to placed in the running for the FBI’s highest score/champion for the year, NA means National Academy). Most FBI agents dream of doing that– very few ever do in their entire career.
G. He went to the top secret SWC (different from Special Warfare Center above- it stands for Special Weapons Course- and we can’t even hint at what that was on this website).
H. In 1985 he graduated the US Army Special Forces Jumpmaster Course. But according to the press he wasn’t even in the Army then.
I. Idema graduated the Special Forces Instructor Course in 1986 and was then qualified to teach at the Special Forces Schools, where he was assigned as a Senior Instructor in a variety of positions (but according to journalists Idema was thrown out of the Army in 1978).
J. His MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) was NOT that of “rear base radio operator” but was 11B4S-W9– the designation of a Special Forces Senior Weapons Sergeant SCUBA qualified sniper. His secondary MOS was 11C4S-W7 designating Heavy weapons sergeant, and his “additional” MOS was 05B3S-W7 which was for cross-trained commo sergeant (Special Forces Morse Code radio operator). He was later re-designated 18 series when the Army changed Green Berets to their own branch (18). He was also cross-trained in demolitions and combat medicine.
————————————-
The entire press corps has been promoting a wide range of vicious lies- as an example, one journalist, Tod Robbeson, quoting an “un-named source,” claimed that Idema stole food from his classmates in the Special Forces Course– if this wasn’t so viciously slanderous we’d be rolling on the floor– (the only time you lack food in the SF course is during Phase I- the portion where you do land navigation, survival, and E&E ops. During that portion of the course in 75-76 you WERE COMPLETELY ALONE ! You walked for about 14-16 days ALONE- so exactly who would have been there for Idema to steal this food from? Was Tod Robbeson counting the chipmunks in the forest?)
Apparently the press feels free to make up whatever they want because they don’t think this guy is ever coming back; that would be a stupid assumption if anyone really knew Idema. The press needs to portray this guy as a lousy soldier, otherwise their myth of torture and conning coalition troops starts to evaporate. Here are some quotes the press MISSED, but we know that Rolling Stone, Columbia Journalism Review, and others were given copies of the original letters:
(Signed; [The Honorable] Timothy Connolly, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict) on official US DOD stationary (the top Pentagon civilian over all US Special Operations units in the world).
(Letter written by Peter D. Montfort, former Special Forces operative and Senior Detective with the Dutchess County New York Sheriff’s Office. The letter is dated May 25, 1994)
(Excerpt from a 1978 efficiency report contained in a letter of support for Idema written by his former commanding officer, Special Forces Captain Ray Carney. The letter is dated April 30, 1994)
(Letter of support for Idema written by John M. Comparetto, New York City Police Detective and Executive Director of the Rockland County Child Abuse Agency, and later Chief of State of New Jersey Corrections). The letter is dated June 1, 1994)
(statements of Major James Morris, recipient of FOUR PURPLE HEARTS, and FOUR BRONZE STAR Medals for valor in Vietnam. Major Morris served three combat tours in Vietnam and has covered eight wars and conflicts as a combat correspondent. He is the author of the best-selling book WAR STORY.
Command Sergeant Major Alex Schwarcbher, US Army Special Forces, and the Senior enlisted man for the United States Army Special Warfare School at Fort Bragg — the school that trains and qualifies Green Berets. Schwarcbher’s medals include the purple heart, several bronze stars, the silver star, several MSMs, several AMs with V device, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
Lt Colonel Rick Lester, Classified Special Operations unit (TF-160).
And, in a letter of commendation,
Written by Colonel Gary Rohen (MACV-SOG Vietnam Team Leader) who is currently the Deputy Director of the FBI’s Counter-Terrorist Watch Command in Washington, DC.
—————————————–
But lets sum it all up- take ALL the unnamed unidentified alleged sources about what a lousy soldier Idema was and how he barely made it in Special Forces School, and then read what the Commandant of the SPECIAL FORCES SCHOOL said about Keith “Jack” Idema.
In an official letter dated January 7, 1976, Colonel Charlie A. Beckwith, School Commandant, who became famous as the First Commander of Delta Force, commended Jack on his “perseverance, motivation, and professionalism” in Special Forces:
——————————-
Jack Idema (on the left) Graduation day, in 1975 outside USAIMA (aka United States Army Institute For Military Assistance, as it was called then) Student Barracks on Smoke Bomb Hill at Fort Bragg.
The average Green Beret has six years in the Army before he makes it to the course. The age average is between 27 and 35. Idema was 18. Is it no wonder he got **** from his peers??? Most of them were still living with mom and dad at the age that Idema was a fully qualified Green Beret. He was roughly seven years younger than the average soldier in his Special Forces class. That says volumes to me.
Idema being awarded his Hwa Rang Do Instructor Qualification by the legendary Michael Echanis. You had to be a Sergeant on your second enlistment to be selected into the course. Idema was only an E-4 (corporal) with less than two years in the army.
Jack Idema at the Special Forces U/W Ops School- he is wearing an Emerson Closed Circuit Rebreather system for covert infiltration of enemy coastlines and clandestine Submarine lockouts- this was ONLY available to Special Forces and Navy SEAL Teams. Idema was only 20 at the time, making him one of the youngest graduates ever of what is known as the hardest course in Special Forces. He later went to the Navy SEAL /UDT Orientation Course at Little Creek, VA. (the actual BUDS Qualification Course is at Coronado). This picture has never been released before. (Picture courtesy of the SF Schools archives.)
Idema as a principle Senior Instructor the the British 22 SAS Commandos. He is seen here, for the FIRST time ever, placing a STABO extraction harness on Colonel Patty Baker- the British SAS Commando who became legendary during the battle of Oman. Colonel Baker later wrote of Idema as the finest young Green Beret he had ever worked with and invited Idema to SAS Headquarters in Hereford in the mid-80’s. The rope you see is attached to a hovering helicopter. In other words Colonel Baker was trusting Idema with his life.
With Ronald Reagan as the President from 1980 until 1988, clandestine and covert Ops, as was Special Forces, were at an all time high. Idema formed the Counter-Terrorist Group, and developed counter-terrorist and hostage rescue concepts and doctrine which would be followed by counter-terrorist units all over the world. He is seen here training the President’s son, Ronald Reagan, Jr., in combat pistol techniques.
Idema being awarded Royal Thai Commando Wings in 1985 by the Commander of the Thai Special Warfare Command in LopBuri Thailand. The man on the left is holding a Royal award device reserved for awards authorized by the King. The row of men standing are all Thai General Officers. This picture was taken in 1985 when there were supposed to be no Green Berets in South East Asia. Idema is alleged to have called the Thai Commander “Uncle George.”
That should give you a little taste as to the real background of Jonathan Keith Idema, shame on the people who are trying to discredit him.
The SuperPatriots and Jack images on this site are used by Cao’s Blog with written copyright permission and any use by any third party is subject to legal action by SuperPatriots.US
And then you have this guy.
I don’t think there’s much of a comparison here.
August 9th, 2006 at 4:43 am
The scarf’s tremendous significance was demonstrated early in the war when the 5th Special Forces Group was given the task of working with the Northern Alliance’s opposition groups that opposed the Taliban and AQ.
Ahmad Shah Massoud, the handsome, charismatic college-educated, French-speaking engineer, had been the combat-proven leader of the Northern Alliance. Osama bin Laden’s minions had murdered Massoud three days before the attacks of September 11. Massoud had worn a scarf similar to the one being worn by Mulholland, and common among Afghani warriors, a scarf can identify specific allegiance. All who wore Massoud’s scarf were considered not only to afffiliate themselves with him but also with the struggle he led against the Taliben regime and their terrrorist brothers, the Al Qaeda.
In the dark days of October, after Massoud’s murder, the Special Forces had arrived, offering hope. Many Green Berets adopted the scarf as a symbol of their solidarity with the mujahadeen warriors and their absolute dedication and willingness to give all to achieve victory.
August 9th, 2006 at 7:18 am
but Uncle Jimbo is a fraud. And it’s going to come out whether people like you like it or not.
How dare he claim to be something that he’s not!
So WHEN are you going to reveal this truth?
August 9th, 2006 at 7:28 am
August 9th, 2006 at 7:31 am
So that this expose can be factual, this is what Uncle Jimbo has on his blog at madison.com:
I spent 14 years in the military and I was a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant, which means now I am an ex- Green Beret.
http://www.madison.com/post/blogs/militarymatters/
Disprove away!
August 9th, 2006 at 8:03 am
when I’m good and ready.
That sounds awfully selfish considering the grave danger you exposed earlier in this post:
Does anyone wonder what kind of damage people can do to the war on terror or things military when guys pretend to be something they’re not with a fake resume like this? Does anyone wonder what kind of damage a milblog does when people are going there for information from people who they are assuming are the real deal and are representing themselves truthfully when they’re not?
My God, what are you waiting for?
August 9th, 2006 at 8:59 am
Cao, as others have already pointed out, you’re not doing Idema or his cause any favors by adopting such a strident, caustic attitude toward those who still have questions. I don’t have a dog in this fight either way but, assuming that everything you’ve said or posted about Idema is true, even you should be intelligent enough to recognize that your delivery could use a bit of temperance. One has to wonder if you really are interested in getting him home or if you are more interested in scoring points against those who haven’t bought your sales pitch wholesale. Frankly, Jimbo is correct in warning Idema to either cut sling or ride your back over the way you’ve handled the entire debate.
*If* (and that’s an enormous “if”) you have proof that Jimbo is not who he says he is you’d be well-advised to air that info and cut this debate off where it stands. I don’t think you can possibly do it so all this posturing boils down to some strange rhetorical masturbation on your part.
Everyone needs a hobby I suppose.
Your entire argument to date in regards to Jimbo’s bona fides seems to hinge on a two-year stint he pulled as a 1SG in the NG, while his Blackfive bio indicates he retired as a MSG. The two ranks are, in fact, the same *pay grade*: E-8, with the rank of “1SG” being a lateral promotion into a position of unique leadership. It’s not unusual for a troop to leave Active Duty and enter service in a National Guard or Reserve unit, often going back and forth between Guard/Reserve duty and Active Duty (ask any Reservist who’s been activated more than once in the last four years). Until about ‘93/’94 there were two each SF units in the NG and Reserve (the Reserve units, 11th and 12th Groups, were absorbed into the Guard’s 19th and 20th Groups). Therefore, it’s entirely plausible that Jimbo left AD, returned to Wisconsin and drilled with 12th Group out of Arlington Heights, IL (a Chicago suburb) until his retirement. Two years in a 1SG billet is common so unless he was aiming for Sergeant Major it’s also entirely plausible that, once his stint in that role was over, he donned the rank of MSG once again and returned to a team.
Regardless, I don’t give much of a **** either way. The fellas at Blackfive have done far more in support of the military and the WoT than you can possibly hope to achieve with your constant lashing out in “support” of Jack Idema. Their track record is stellar. Yours? Not so much.
August 9th, 2006 at 12:08 pm
Liontooth,contrary to your belief,Uncle J is the real thing or was.My only beef with him,is that he is dismissing this man’s case without a serious investigation of it.Cao has and Rotty have already done the necessary footwork,so they have made things easier for him to sort through.I haven’t been to B5 in a while,but have planned to visit their soon,and tell Uncle J,that he needs to stop taking these proven frauds words and look into the this case himself instead of taking the words of proven yes men,and also these guys are some horrible actors,when you spend twenty years as a green beret,this sort of thing should raise flags.and given what he B5 and others across the millblogasphere are trying to do in combatting media treachery and deceit,they already have caught a bunch of wannabe’s pretending to be special forces types just recently.I just think he should get with the program.
August 9th, 2006 at 12:18 pm
This is very disappointing,Uncle J has let down a lot of people including me,I hope this mess is completed and that Jack Idema gets out but fast.
August 9th, 2006 at 12:35 pm
Can we see those letters of recommendation (or commendation) a little larger, please? I can’t make them out.
And, if you have anything negative (and fatual/verifiable) on Jimbo then you should post it. Saying you’ll do so “when I’m good and ready” is illogical. There would be no point in holding back if it existed.
August 9th, 2006 at 2:49 pm
sfops,
I appreciate the input. I’ll definitely check it out.
Just so you know, I’m not part of a crew.
Thanks again.
August 9th, 2006 at 4:19 pm
You’re an idiot if you think I live for the blog and have nothing else to do in my life.
I’m waiting for the time to put it all together, as I have a bunch of emails from a bunch of different sources, and research to do.
BTW, a Green Beret is NEVER an ex-Green Beret, as the real ones know:
The explanation
at Wikipedia.
So it’s an AWARD, which means once you’ve received your training and receive the award, that’s what you are, and nobody can take it away from you. So if I understand this correctly, you’re never a “former” Green Beret, or “retired”.
From Dan in Iraq:
All other military headgear and uniforms are issued when you are assigned to a unit. Doctors are not called former doctors, Rangers are not called former Rangers, nor are SEALs called former SEALs, because these are awards which have specific requirements, such as graduating specific schools.
Marines, are former Marines. They say once a Marine always a Marine, and while that is true theoretically, it is not fact. You become a Marine by enlisting in the Marine Corps and when you leave, you are a former Marine, even though you may still be a Marine at heart.
In contrast, the Green Beret is a presidentially authorized award for specific service/achievement/qualification, which can never be taken from a person once they earn it. To quote President John F. Kennedy:
John F. Kennedy describing the Green Beret on December 10, 1961.
This became a Presidential Executive Order that would forever protect the Green Beret as the official award and headgear of a U.S. Army Special Forces Qualified soldier.
So that is the short answer.
Cao’s Note: Here is the long answer. I don’t know about you, but this is really cool and helps me to understand what the hell’s going on in the Idema situation.
I have taught at the Special Forces School and I am fairly versed on this subject having written many articles about this for the Army and other publications. This places the term ‘Green Beret” in the proper perspective related to factual, regulation, and historical considerations, and its status as a lifetime award.
The Navy SEALs Trident
When you graduate Navy SEALs (the BUDS course at Coronado) you are awarded the Trident (a qualification badge that is a gold eagle with a flintlock pistol and a trident, signifying the unconventional heritage of Rogers Rangers, etc, and the Trident, signifying unconventional warriors from the deep sea)- from then on, you are always a Navy SEAL (note: I believe you have to serve on a SEAL Team before your Trident can be worn, or that’s the way it was a few years ago).
The Ranger Tab.
When you graduate Ranger School you are awarded a “Ranger Tab” which, like the Trident, follows you everywhere and for the rest of your life, you are a Ranger and can wear the Ranger Tab. It is a cloth tab you wear on your left shoulder. These are actual awards just like Silver Stars, Bronze Stars, and Meritorious Service Medals.
They cannot be taken away, rescinded, or stripped from you or your military file.
Since 1961, the Green Beret has been the only uniform item (specifically headgear) authorized by the President of the United States. (Between 1952 and 1961 it was worn without authorization only in the field and in secret).
To this day, JFK’s presidential decree serves to protect the Green Beret from the conventional army officers and politicians who would seek to strip it from our elite unit, much as General Eric Shinseki stripped the Rangers of their Black Beret and gave to the entire Army even the Chief of Staff of the Army, or Joints Chiefs of Staff, or even Congress, have no authority to ever discontinue it, remove it, revoke it, or change it. Under JFKs Executive Order, it is an award non-rescindable even by future Presidents.
More from Dan on Jack, the terms, etc., here.
By the way, from what I gather, Jimbo wasn’t a Master Sergeant, he was a 1st Sergeant. And why don’t people listen to Tom Bumback on Idema then, a REAL MSGT?
August 9th, 2006 at 7:10 pm
Liontooth,contrary to your belief,Uncle J is the real thing or was.
Where did I state this was “my belief”? I’ve only stated what Cao believes. Your statement should have read,
Cao, contrary to your belief, Uncle J is the real thing or was.
August 9th, 2006 at 7:37 pm
[…] Cao’s claimed that Jim is not Special Forces, calling him “Fat cheesehead boy standing next to a broken down birdbath with the cows in Wisconsin,” among other things. In fact, there are a few articles written for the express purpose of “exposing” someone who really has nothing to hide. Jim’s responded by showing the world a few of his credentials (along with some pretty creative words for Cao). He’ll be coming on to answer laugh at the accusations, as well as talk about how it affects conservative blogging as a whole when we have friendly fire in the ranks. It should be a good time. […]
August 9th, 2006 at 7:39 pm
Re: “Former Green Beret”:
This is a distinction without a difference in the everyday world. ie, everyone knows what is meant by the term. I get 71,000 hits on “former green beret” on the web, and more on usenet. Add to that the search results for “former navy seal,” “former special forces,” etc.
But that is not the real point of your post, is it? You are saying that Jimbo was not ever a Green Beret, is that correct?
What would he have to do to prove to you that this is not the case? You have cast aspersions on him, now please present your evidence.
August 9th, 2006 at 7:50 pm
You’re an idiot if you think I live for the blog and have nothing else to do in my life.
First of all, you posted your charge against Uncle J 48 hours ago. You have raised the issue and you stated the danger of this ‘fraud’ not being exposed. Why isn’t this important and worth your time now?
I’m waiting for the time to put it all together, as I have a bunch of emails from a bunch of different sources, and research to do.
You’re now admitting that you made the charge against Uncle J BEFORE you did the research?
Let’s look at what your ‘research’ has uncovered so far.
BTW, a Green Beret is NEVER an ex-Green Beret, as the real ones know:
The explanation
at Wikipedia.
And what is at the wikipedia link that YOU provided?
It should be noted that Special Forces soldiers qualified to wear the Green Beret do not refer to themselves as ‘Green Berets’ - they are Special Forces, and a ‘Green Beret’ is a hat.
What did Uncle J say in his bio?
I was a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant, which means now I am an ex- Green Beret.
According to the link YOU posted, Uncle J described his service EXACTLY THE CORRECT WAY!
Notice that his “which means” is for the benefit of the non-military web surfers because it is on a non-military site.
What does Uncle J’s bio say on Blackfive, which is a military oriented site?
Uncle Jimbo
Retired Special Operations Master Sergeant, James Hanson is now focused on writing about the military, politics, intelligence operations and foreign policy.
Notice the absence of Green Beret which is EXACTLY THE CORRECT WAY according to your link!
So far, the evidence you have presented only confirms that Uncle Jimbo has represented himself how a real ‘Green Beret’ would.
Can’t wait for your next installment of the case against Uncle Jimbo. So far it’s
Cao 0, Uncle Jimbo 1.
August 10th, 2006 at 2:57 am
Liontooth and Quintas
I think you are looking at the wrong statement. On BLACKFIVE it says:
“Uncle Jimbo- Retired Special Operations Master Sergeant, James Hanson is now focused on writing about the military, politics, intelligence operations and foreign policy.”
James Hanson was not a Master Sergeant in any Special Operations or Special Forces unit. Nor was Hanson ever a Special Forces team sergeant. Nor can you be a Special Forces team sergeant/operations sergeant or Master Sergeant carrying the 18B skill identifier. It is simply impossible. I know, personally, what is required to become an SF Team Sergeant.
Any of you that think I am not on point may feel free to contact Command Sergeant Major Michael T. Hall or the SOCOM or USASOC PAO(Public Affairs Office)at:
Phone: (910) 432-9233/9107
FAX: (910) 432-1002
Or you can visit the school archives at:
Building D-3915, Special Operations Academic Facility, Ardennes St, Ft. Bragg, NC 28310
Apparently, no, as a matter of fact, Uncle Jimbo falsified his military credentials, claimed to be that which he was not, and engaged in “resume padding,” something that bloggers would normally light up the fire zone over. Because Jack Idema has become some sort of lightening rod for poser venting, nobody seems to care. We in Special Forces do care.
Finally, on the subject of James Hanson, there is no record of him ever being on a Special Forces team. He may have been, but if so, it is time to prove it. As I understand it, the Navy SEALs have also been requested to verify or disavow the SEAL resumes on BLACKFIVE. I think we all deserve to know if such a prominent military blog is basically poser smoke.
For your further consideration:
In the SF battalion, two of the 18 A-teams are trained in combat diving and three are trained in military free-fall parachuting. Both are used as methods of infiltration.
The two most sought after “speciality” teams are the SCUBA Team, and the Hostage Rescue/Counter-Terrorist team (Charlie Company), called the SOT team in the 80’s when Idema was on one.
As proven by photos Cao posted, Idema was on both. That puts him the most respected 5% of the most respected and highly trained 1% of America’s military.
People keep asking for proof. Please grow up. The proof is overwhelming:
Jack
Jack and the SAS
And this page might be the most compelling:
Jack’s diploma’s
So, “military bloggers” maybe you better get with the program and start writing about facts, not anonymous opinions by anonymous posers afraid to even post their email addresses.
Not to be one-sided here, Cao, you need to be a little more indulgent to your opponents, and a little more considerate when replying to them. This battle should be one of hearts and minds, unlike the war on terror, which should one of attrition.
August 10th, 2006 at 4:58 am
Actually, I’m getting sick and tired of posers and fakes and being threatened by guys like Joe Cafasso with losing my job, my marriage, and everything else just for picking up the Idema story. Jimbo’s story is nothing new, look at the long list of stories at Veriseal about guys who ‘pad their resume’ with false claims of military valor and glory.
Peoples’ hysteria over this is another reason to dig in deeper and brace myself to keep on fighting–because no matter what kind of an a-hole they think Idema is, he and Brent are still Americans, and what happened to them is a travesty of justice, suspension of international law and protections, and was completely a ‘taliban’ kangaroo court decision. Plus, that ‘decision’ was REVERSED and they are still in a horrible place with Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorists. It’s in SANE. And it’s IN SANE that people would say he ‘deserves it’ simply because people have ‘heard’ no good things about him.
Aren’t we all Americans, and shouldn’t we be on the same side in the WOT?
Plus, I’m getting sick and tired of people who CLAIM tney’re all for the ‘truth’ when they’re really after recognition and popularity.
The head of the veterans administration was revealed some years ago as a poser, and he was fired. So guys shouldn’t be allowed to pad their resumes, pose as something they’re not and get a pass on it simply because ‘they’ve done good things for the military community’.
I’ll let my heels cool on this for a bit as I prepare the post and a special treat.
Thank you, CSM sir.
August 10th, 2006 at 8:30 am
my mistake,I went and re-read the column and did the I was knocked off my feet.You can’t prettend to go after these frauds like Jesse McBeth and othres and you aren’t clean yourself,and as my my last post indicated B5 better get on top of some things over at his blog.
August 10th, 2006 at 8:43 am
sfops2kabul:
Thanks for your reply. AFA Jimbo’s service in Special forces, all you need to do is go to veriSeal and they should be able to tell you whether he was in or not. Maybe they’ll even tell you what he did? As I’m sure you already know, it’s a site dedicated to burning poseurs.
I’ve run into a few in my day - an “ex-Marine” who couldn’t tell me the Marine Corps motto comes to mind - and want them all burned. (Seriously, how do you forget the Marine motto? That’s like forgetting your Senior DI’s voice.)
Service to our country is becoming like Woodstock: if everyone who says they were there was really there it would have been 10 times as big.
August 10th, 2006 at 12:52 pm
Jimbo’s story is nothing new, look at the long list of stories at Veriseal about guys who ‘pad their resume’ with false claims of military valor and glory.
And how is going to Veriseal proof of Uncle Jimbo being a fraud? His name is NOT listed on that page.
James Hanson was not a Master Sergeant in any Special Operations or Special Forces unit. Nor was Hanson ever a Special Forces team sergeant. Nor can you be a Special Forces team sergeant/operations sergeant or Master Sergeant carrying the 18B skill identifier. It is simply impossible. I know, personally, what is required to become an SF Team Sergeant.
Uncle Jimbo has revealed his real name, has images of himself posted, and identifies where he lives.
Why should anybody reading this believe you sfops2kabul? You aren’t using a real name, and your link goes to socom’s site. As far as I know you could be Mullah Omar.
August 10th, 2006 at 1:05 pm
Quintus,
Now you are seeing the forest through the trees. There is an old saying in the Roman Legion, lie one, lie all. It was adopted in the Courts of England, 1240 or so, Magna Carta times. Lie in one, lie in all.
We have all watched Blackfive with keen interest over the years as it grew to a prestigous military blog. Now we learn that Special Ops Master Sergeants were not what they said. Maybe we all should have been asking questions sooner.
We did not start examining their credentials until the Idema story played out there. Yes a First Sergeant is the same pay grade as a Master Sergeant, but they are vastly different. You cannot consider a National Guard headquarters First Sergeant as you do a Special Forces Team Sergeant that takes a team into extended combat under extreme conditions. One is highly trained in counterterrorism and uncoventional warfare. The other is not. One leads countries into battle, the other insures turck drivers and cooks show up for work on time. All are important, all are patriots who deserve praise. But Bloggers are covering a war on terrorism, therefore it is in vogue to be a Special Forces Master Sergeant.
Some above, say that because Blackfive has done so much “good” for our fighting men, its ok to lie and resume pad. Sorry, I don’t see it that way, and I do not think that any of the Special Forces, SEAL, or Ranger operators out here in the deserts and dirt see it that way either.
I would have read Blackfive either way. I didn’t need to be lied to by Uncle Jim, I get enough lies everyday without that.
Cowboy up Uncle Jim, and apologize. And while you are at it, post your 201 pic, your SFQC diploma, a jump manifest from an ODA, and your 214, then we will all tell Cao to **** off and stand by you. Until then, don’t show up at the GB Sport Parachute Club bar while my team is there.
August 10th, 2006 at 2:32 pm
We are not disputing that Uncle Jim might have been SF qualified, our problem is with promoting himself to Master Sergeant in Special Forces. Lets assume he really was a Sergeant First Class in 1st Special Forces Group, or a Staff Sergeant. Why then did Uncle Jim need to say he was a Master Sergeant in Special Operations (indicating he was a Team Sergeant, the top NCO on a Special Forces Team)? Or indicating he was in SFOD-D, or a similar SMU. But he wasn’t. He did not retire, he left the service as a First Sergeant in the National Guard.
No matter how you slice it, this is resume padding, it is ********, its fraud, and it violates the military code of conduct. So we go right back to those old adages. People in glass houses, should not throw stones.
Being an SFC or SSG in Special Forces is not only admirable, but warrants attention to your degree of expertise. We would have been reading Blackfive even if he was just a Buck Sergeant or a Staff Sergeant in Special Forces, Uncle Jim didn’t need to tell us he was a Master Sergeant to get our attention on his blog, or say he had 14 years in Special Forces when he only had two or three. It’s all good. So why lie?
We also object to other blogs calling him a “highly decorated Special Forces veteran” implying he had ever been in combat. He has not. If you want to see highly decorated Special Forces veterans, then you should search: Kevin Morehead, Mark Jackson, Obidiah Kolath, Joseph Andres, Jefferson Davis, Nathan Chapman, Bill Bennett, etc etc. Or from the old days of 1st Group search: Vladimir Jakovenko, Alex Schwarcbher, George Pointen, Gary Baura, Dennis Drew Dix, etc etc.
So like we said before Uncle Jim, cowboy up, show us your SFQC diploma, and tell us what rank you left SF as, and if it wasn’t MSG, then just apolgize and lets all move on.
August 10th, 2006 at 3:10 pm
Lets assume he really was a Sergeant First Class in 1st Special Forces Group, or a Staff Sergeant.
he left the service as a First Sergeant in the National Guard.
Are you serious? Do you expect anyone to believe you?
You’ve just equated two separate ranks as the same thing and your qualified to comment?
A Sergeant First Class is NOT a First Sergeant. See for yourself.
http://www.army.mil/symbols/Enlistedescription2.html
August 10th, 2006 at 7:40 pm
But they are pretty much at the bottom of the food chain in comparison to Command Sergeant Majors now, aren’t they?
I hope you realize who you’re nit picking with there, lionsbreath.
Sorry, folks, I am dispensing with the political correctness and getting down to brass tacks. ahhh who am I kidding. I’ve never claimed ‘political correctness’, I hate that BS.
August 11th, 2006 at 1:28 am
But they are pretty much at the bottom of the food chain in comparison to Command Sergeant Majors now, aren’t they?
How pathetic.
hope you realize who you’re nit picking with there, lionsbreath.
Obviously omeone with zero credibility.
August 11th, 2006 at 1:39 am
It’s day 4 and still ZERO evidence that Uncle Jimbo is a fraud. The four completely pathetic attempts leave the score at:
Uncle Jimbo 4, Cao ZERO
August 11th, 2006 at 4:01 am
Cao, I want to hear the whole phone conversation between Jack and Jimbo!!!!:grin: email it to me!
August 11th, 2006 at 4:44 am
So this audio clip of the Uncle Jimbo’s phone call is your evidence?
You do realize that Uncle Jimbo was talking about changing it to his PROMOTED guard rank don’t you?
Not updating a PROMOTED rank makes him a fraud? Hilarious!
August 11th, 2006 at 5:04 am
Not being honest throws everything he says into question, as has already been mentioned here by people far more well-versed on these issues than me. Not being on any SF roster is a problem with SF guys when you’re claiming that background.
Show me how 1Sgt as compared to MSGT in SF is a promotion, lol…you’re out of your mind. Because we’re in a war on terror, uncle jimbo thought it would be a better draw to paint is background differerntly and that is the point.
August 11th, 2006 at 5:10 am
But they are pretty much at the bottom of the food chain in comparison to Command Sergeant Majors now, aren’t they?
A Master Sergeant is lower on the food chain than a First Sergeant.
Uncle Jimbo is listed as a Master Sergeant. On the phone call Jack Idema even says Uncle Jimbo needs to update that description to First Sergeant and Uncle Jimbo says he will when he gets around to it.
On the Army’s own website you can see that the First Sergeant is a higher rank than Master Sergeant.
http://www.army.mil/symbols/Enlistedescription2.html
Uncle Jimbo 5, Cao ZERO
The honorable thing to do now would be to apologize.
August 11th, 2006 at 5:57 am
I SAID COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR. Don’t you have something better to do than sit on my blog all day? According to my sitemeter readings you’re pretty damned interested in what this old lady is doing over here, lol….the question is, was he spec ops, or an SF weapons sergeant, or a 1st sergeant and why does it differ depending on where you get the information on Jimbo? Why isn’t he on any of the rosters in SF and why can’t SF guys find him?
Take a look at it from the website link you just quoted and think again COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR and look for it…they assists officers at the brigade level (3,000 to 5,000 Soldiers) and stop to consider that those are the people Idema counts as his close friends. How many ‘contacts’ does Jimbo have among the ranks of admiral and general? It only makes sense that someone who’s still operating would have those contacts, while someone like Jimbo standing in a hayfield on a farm waving a fake plaque doesn’t.
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS (SFC)
(Addressed as “Sergeant”)
Key assistant and advisor to the platoon leader. Generally has 15 to 18 years of Army experience and puts it to use by making quick, accurate decisions in the best interests of the Soldiers and the country.
MASTER SERGEANT (MSG)
(Addressed as “Master Sergeant”)
Principal NCO at the battalion level, and often higher. Not charged with all the leadership responsibilities of a 1SG, but expected to dispatch leadership and other duties with the same professionalism.
FIRST SERGEANT (1SG)
(Addressed as “First Sergeant”)
Principal NCO and life-blood of the company: the provider, disciplinarian and wise counselor. Instructs other SGTs, advises the Commander and helps train all enlisted Soldiers. Assists Officers at the company level (62 to 190 Soldiers).
SERGEANT MAJOR (SGM)
(Addressed as “Sergeant Major”)
SGMs experience and abilities are equal to that of the CSM, but the sphere of influence regarding leadership is generally limited to those directly under his charge. Assists Officers at the battalion level (300 to 1,000 Soldiers).
COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR (CSM)
(Addressed as ” Command Sergeant Major”)
Functioning without supervision, a CSM’s counsel is expected to be calm, settled and accurate—with unflagging enthusiasm. Supplies recommendations to the commander and staff, and carries out policies and standards on the performance, training, appearance and conduct of enlisted personnel. Assists Officers at the brigade level (3,000 to 5,000 Soldiers).
SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY
There’s only one Sergeant Major of the Army. This rank is the epitome of what it means to be a Sergeant and oversees all Non-Commissioned Officers. Serves as the senior enlisted advisor and consultant to the Chief of Staff of the Army (a four-star General).
August 11th, 2006 at 8:14 am
Lionstooth attempts to quote me by editing:
“Lets assume he really was a Sergeant First Class in 1st Special Forces Group, or a Staff Sergeant. … he left the service as a First Sergeant in the National Guard.
Then Liontooth submits this comment as follows:
Are you serious? Do you expect anyone to believe you?
You’ve just equated two separate ranks as the same thing and your qualified to comment?
A Sergeant First Class is NOT a First Sergeant. See for yourself….
——– MY/OUR UNIT RESPONSE ——–
Lionstooth, you are an idiot. And Caos, your chart is mistaken related to the NCO rank system in Special Forces.
First, Lionstooth, I never equated SFC (E-7) with First Sergeant (E-8), re-read my post you idiot. I said if Uncle Jim was a Staff Sergeant (E-6) or a Sergeant First Class, it didn’t matter, both were respected in Special Forces, but they are on the bottom of the food chain where EVERYONE on a team is a sergeant. A Special Forces team has 12 men, ten are NCO’s, there is ONE Master Sergeant who is the team sergeant. There are NO FIRST SERGEANTS on teams. They are in the Service Company, the Signal Company, the Headquarters Company. They are NOT in combat positions, but in support positions. A First Sergeant in Special Forces does NOT need to be SF qualified, many are not in the support services, such as cooks, truck drivers (as related to a Motor Pool First Sergeant, etc).
You CANNOT be on a team as a First Sergeant. My point is that Uncle Jim was NOT a “Special Operations Master Sergeant” and THAT IS THAT.
The only NCO that outranks a Master Sergeant on a Special Forces team in a Special Forces unit, is a Command Sergeant Major, and in certain situations, a Sergeant Major.
It appears as though Uncle Jim left Special Forces and Special Operations as a Staff Sergeant, and at some unknown point made SFC, and when he did get promoted to E-8 regardless of whether or not it was to First Sergeant or Master Sergeant or God, it was NOT in Special Forces or Special Operations (“Master Sergeant in Special Operations,” not “Special Forces,” implies a special mission unit, since Master Sergeants in “Special Operations” are usually in SFOD-D, ISA, and other SMUs I will not list here).
You get your rank info from websites, I get it from life. So if you want to get down with me on Special Forces facts Liontooth, you better learn to piss over your shoulder and over the fence.
Now Caos, in SF, E-8s and E-9s don’t usually pull rank and order each other around like other units. They are all senior NCO’s, they hold mutual respect and work together. Your NCO chart means nothing in SF. A Master Sergeant in SF is not at the Battalion level, he is at the basic team level. He leads 9 other Sergeants. There is no lower rank on an SF Team, no corporals, PFC, or privates. SF teams are rank heavy, and for a good reason, a buck sergeant might end up leading and commanding a 1000 men in a foreign army or resistance movement. That requires experience, training, and skill.
Cao, Let us handle the technical points with dipshits like Lionstooth. Hate to run, but we got a real war to fight.
August 11th, 2006 at 8:43 am
Just goes to show that people shouldn’t stick their noses in there when they don’t know what they’re talking about and that includes me.
Will do, sir.
August 11th, 2006 at 9:09 am
Cao, I’d like to see your evidence about Jimbo as well. We’ve been waiting for some time for it. AFA your claims about the phone conversation between Jimbo and Jack, all I hear as far as hem-hawing is the satelite propogation delay between the two.
August 11th, 2006 at 3:10 pm
You get your rank info from websites, I get it from life. So if you want to get down with me on Special Forces facts Liontooth, you better learn to piss over your shoulder and over the fence.
Yeah, we shouldn’t believe the Army’s own website but somebody called sfops2kabul, who could be Mullah Omar. Note how Uncle Jimbo actually has revealed who he is, what he looks like, where he lives, with what units he’s served with, etc.
but they are on the bottom of the food chain where EVERYONE on a team is a sergeant.
EVERYONE on a team is NOT a Sergeant. EVERY NCO on a team is a Sergeant. Yeah, I know you said the 10 of 12 are NCO’s and I know what you were saying but the statement is still false by itself. But you want to bust Uncle Jimbo because he listed his Guard rank. If we want to be precise, it cuts both ways.
Why isn’t he on any of the rosters in SF and why can’t SF guys find him?
Like who? More anonymous posters like sfops2kabul? Name someone with a website that we can go to ourselves.
August 11th, 2006 at 9:00 pm
[…] Here’s the podcast version of Wednesday’s episode of Seeing Red. What did you miss? A lot, including the latest installment of the Jimbo response to the Cao attacks, which just keep going on and on. Listen and see. […]
August 11th, 2006 at 11:50 pm
Riiight.
Any idiot can put up a website. Not too many folks are real SF in the field like these guys.
Get a life, lionsbreath.
August 12th, 2006 at 1:21 am
Any idiot can put up a website.
Exactly!