Report: Fired training boss wore many unearned honors

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 17:08:41 -0400

Man, really sad to see this...is it me or does it seem like more and more service members are doing this? Is it because of the drawdowns and we are not on the front page anymore? People want more attention?

Lt. Col. Gerald H. Green III's dishonesty didn't stop with his uniform.

The former head of the Army National Guard Warrior Training Center at Fort Benning, Georgia, was relieved of command in October while under investigation for wearing an unearned Ranger tab. Green admitted as much in a Sept. 30 statement to investigators which was provided along with other documents to Army Times via a request under the Freedom of Information Act.

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/guard-reserve/2015/03/26/gerald-green-wtc-benning-fired-training-boss-wore-many-unearned-honors/70334942/

An officer in charge of pre-Ranger training for those in the National Guard wore a Ranger tab, but wasn't a Ranger.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Apr 7 at 2015 5:48 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 17:48:39 -0400

Greedy gut! Many times these people believe they are bigger than the organization, chances are it is the same thing here....complacency, contempt and a feeling of entitlement. A terrible example for our Soldiers.

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/guard-reserve/2015/03/26/gerald-green-wtc-benning-fired-training-boss-wore-many-unearned-honors/70334942/

Report: Fired training boss wore many unearned honors

An officer in charge of pre-Ranger training for those in the National Guard wore a Ranger tab, but wasn't a Ranger.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 8:15 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 08:15:31 -0400

What? I thought if they sold it in Clothing Sales you could wear it? Damn, I guess I better make an appointment to re-take my DA Photo!

Ridiculous!

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Apr 8 at 2015 8:39 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 08:39:50 -0400

It's a real shame LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU®. I really don't understand why he is still on active duty.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 8:40 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 08:40:06 -0400

Everything I have on my uniform, I have earned and there is a document somewhere that supports my privilege to wear it. There are other things I would be honored to wear. I am still working to get in a position to earn them or in most cases, I am past the days when I can realistically expect to earn them. In the case of the latter, I just take my hat off to the men and women who have earned these recognitions. For them, I salute you. /O

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 10:04 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 10:04:28 -0400

A good example why I have always thought "Character" should be a base or core value/attribute. I realize that would mess up the acronym, but we should not be surprised about the lack of character in many of our soldiers, NCOs and officers, throughout the service.

How many posts are there about who gets a Bronze Star or other posts on inequities of award distribution? Those are selfish positions, not one of an altruistic, high-character leader. We foster this environment where we put too much on what's on the chest and complain if it isn't awarded "to me".

I am not worried about those that are caught. I worry about the ones that are not caught, and are leading soldiers down a similar, selfish path...so sad.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 10:23 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 10:23:31 -0400

To the rescue!!!!

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Apr 8 at 2015 10:45 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 10:45:42 -0400

Like Stolen Valor but with actual consequences.

Would he have been placed in this position if he did not have those awards? Why is he still there? I have often been shocked by the ribbons and awards of our Guard brothers and sisters, until seeing that their highest award was an AAM.

I think the best punishment was for him to go around base wearing a sign stating 'I lied about having the following awards: __ __ __'

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Apr 8 at 2015 11:47 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 11:47:48 -0400

Ranger Tab
Sapper Tab
Air Assault Wings
Combat Action Badge
Expert Infantryman Badge
Army Commendation Medal w/ V Device
Presidential Unit Citation

...wow, he didn't hold back, did he?! He went full hooah.

Response by SFC Ronnie Seaton Jr made Apr 8 at 2015 3:28 PM

SFC Ronnie Seaton Jr — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 15:28:15 -0400

I don't understand why would anyone do this. You know you did not accomplish the achievements and you lie to yourself and everyone else. What about your children and what they think about you and your lies. Not to mention the consequences for your actions.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 5:15 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 17:15:29 -0400

I thought I earned it because I was part of the command. Sort of like when scientist earn a 'honorary Doctorate'. Stolen Valor comes in many colors.

Response by MAJ Haris Balcinovic made Apr 8 at 2015 5:29 PM

MAJ Haris Balcinovic — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 17:29:10 -0400

Ugh - and he's wearing the castle, what a shame for the Engineer Regiment.

Response by SSG Scott Burk made Apr 8 at 2015 6:23 PM

SSG Scott Burk — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 18:23:40 -0400

How stupid do you have to be??? Wearing the Tab among hundreds of "Real" Rangers is asking for trouble! "Here'sssssssssss your sign!"

Response by SSG John Erny made Apr 8 at 2015 6:31 PM

SSG John Erny — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 18:31:29 -0400

Must we suffer another one of these fools, Must we?

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Apr 8 at 2015 8:18 PM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 20:18:02 -0400

- This person (I am reluctant to call him an officer) wore unearned medals, badges, and tabs for several years. He received promotions in part because of these medals, badges, and tabs. He therefore gained promotions and money (increased pay) at the expense of other personnel.
- He therefore violated not just the law but he compromised his own ethics/character.
- I am at a loss to understand why he has not yet been charged under UCMJ. He should be charged, high probability of conviction, possibly receive jail time, and a dishonorable discharge.
- I am at a loss to understand why more admin actions have not yet been taken against him other than relieving him from his command (and I assume receive a relief for cause OER).

Response by SPC John Decker made Apr 8 at 2015 8:50 PM

SPC John Decker — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 20:50:57 -0400

"An officer and Gentleman" Ha. Officers should be treated more harshly than enlisted personnel. Because of the commission they receive. And the example they are supposed to set. H should have his commission rescinded and be dishonorably discharged.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Apr 8 at 2015 9:02 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 21:02:37 -0400

MAJ David Chang, Could there be a conspiracy to drag LTC Green III's ordeal out as long as SGT Bergdhal's circus has gone on w/o a trial?

Response by SPC Matt Johnson made Apr 8 at 2015 9:51 PM

SPC Matt Johnson — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 21:51:44 -0400

if its an officer all he'll get is a letter of reprimand and then won't be able to get promoted, that's it. The cycle of BS continues

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Apr 8 at 2015 10:08 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 22:08:58 -0400

Amazes me that folks think they can get away with things like this. They will eventually be caught and humiliated.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 10:09 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 22:09:37 -0400

Army Times just published a new account of the matter, CSM (now a reduced E-7) Perry McNeill who was found on 8 counts of stolen valor, including the Ranger tab and Pathfinder badge.

Unfortunately this is often done, especially by Soldiers who have no idea to know any better. I graduated from the ARC and saw PVT's going to the nearest Clothing Sales to purchase the Army Star patch, which is work by Pentagon workers and previously worn by recruiters before we went back to the liberty bell last year.

*This kills me to see because they didn't state if he was an actual DS, but in his picture he is wearing a DS Badge. His officer, LTC Green is also wearing an unearned Sapper Tab, according to Army Times.

I am disappointed in this, because if he actually did earn his pumpkin patch badge on the right pocket, he was teaching his new enlisted Soldiers that Stolen Valor was allowed. PX Rangers survive in one way.

I cannot comment for more than I have above listed how disappointed I am. A LEADER who went to college will tell his Soldiers to go to college. A LEADER who went to Ranger school will tell his Soldiers to attend Ranger school. A FAKE LEADER who didn't go to Ranger school who tells his subordinates to attend Ranger school is, I don't know, a good motivator?

I haven't been to Ranger school, but I always tell my young guys to go before the ties of life weigh them down (wife, kids, bills, family). I just don't understand how he was able to get away with is for so long, I can usually spot a liar from the first conversation.

*Note to all, Rangers most times will have their Graduation Photo hanging somewhere, that's what I've noticed anyways.

~SSG Allenbrand

Response by SPC Angel Guma made Apr 9 at 2015 12:11 PM

SPC Angel Guma — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 12:11:38 -0400

This is almost a culture within the culture. Trust me, this is only a token case that got publicized. People for whatever reason do not just take pride in their service in of itself, they always have to one-up each other somehow. "Well, my boot camp was tougher than yours!" I would say he's an extreme example of the same phenomena.

Response by CW3 Sam Hartman made Apr 9 at 2015 3:52 PM

CW3 Sam Hartman — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 15:52:45 -0400

I knewa SSG when I was a PVT who was busted wearing an unauthorized Ranger tab. Got reduced to E-4 and chaptered. The same rule should apply here.