Don Shipley sends us his latest bust, Robert “Robbie” Robinson;
I was just wondering why no one at VFW Post 1966 has questioned Robbie “Robert” Robinson’s military credentials? I just spoke to him at 954-321-3463 after I was sent the (attached) pictures and he claimed his military records were “sealed” from the classified nature of his work in Vietnam as a Navy SEAL. He also claimed he changed his name which is NOT true when I began questioning why his name wasn’t listed in the SEAL Database. And he could not give me a training class number first saying it was Class 48 and then changing it to Class 4.
Not knowing your SEAL Training Class number is like not knowing your wife’s name…
It’s very clear he was never a Navy SEAL because I’m a retired SEAL and I quickly checked and found NO LISTING of him ever being a SEAL. Claiming his records are classified is complete and total B%$%#$*T. And he finally admitted he was a fraud to me after I pulled the SEAL Rug out from under him… I have the conversation recorded if he claims otherwise to the VFW leadership that I’d be happy to send.
That SEAL Trident is worn on the wrong side of his uniform.
His awards are ALL JACKED UP and I’m surprised that at a Memorial Day celebration there wasn’t a single Purple Heart recipient present that would have asked him “Why do you have a Combat V Device on the Purple Heart you’re wearing?” That’s NOT correct…
Or asked, since you have a Silver and Bronze Star “where is your Combat Action Ribbon?”
Or asked, a Bronze Star awarded for combat, no matter what branch of service, is awarded with a “Combat V Device.” If awarded meritoriously (non combat) it contains no “V.” All subsequent awards are a Gold Star in lieu of second, third award, etc. Why does yours have a small bronze star on it? That is NOT correct.
Or asked, why is the very senior Joint Service Commendation Medal behind the lowly Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation Ribbon and so far out of whack in the US Military Order of Awards Precedence?
A close look at the Silver Star he’s wearing shows a distinct “hole” in the center of it meaning at some point he was claiming “two” of them and the device was removed or fell off…
Brian K Murphy was just removed as Post Commander of Post 8182 in Florida for his outrageous Navy SEAL claims I exposed… What’s in the water in Florida that you VFW guys don’t question a members credentials or claims? How do they get away with this for so long?
At this point not a single word that comes from Robinson’s mouth can be believed. 40+ years of service (he claims) and he wears 10 “RED” and not Gold Hash Marks as a Master Chief? Between that and the awards that looks like he put on in the dark I have my doubts he ever served a single day in the military. It wouldn’t EVEN be close to the first time I discovered that’s been the case…
Robinson on your Facebook page and in this video at the 3-minute mark of your Memorial Day celebration is SHAMEFUL.
And here’s his latest video from Memorial Day, 9 minutes of “Being Shipley”;
Comments
95 responses to “Don Shipley meets “Robbie” Robinson, the phony SEAL”
OWB, Just An Old Dog: as an “outsider looking in” (I’m not a member of either VFW or the American Legion), IMO confirmation of status for all definitely appears needed – both existing an prospective new members. However, self-provided DD214s aren’t a good solution. How many forgeries have we seen here at TAH alone?
There’s a better solution, though many won’t like it. Make make all current and new members sign a SF 180 giving NPRC limited permission to provide unredacted copies of all DD214s and DD215s (or equivalent predecessor documents) directly to the organization (American Legion Post, VFW Post, etc . . . ) as a condition of membership. (Unredacted copies are needed to ensure service was under honorable conditions.) Membership would remain provisional until those documents have been received from NPRC and reviewed/accepted by the organization.
Yes, that might delay things. It would also dramatically reduce the number of persons pulling this kind of stunt.
I’m damned sad to say that. But I’m personally convinced that (or something similar) is simply now necessary.
#51: There may be fewer prospective members who would want to join, but at the same time the veteran’s organizations would avoid the type of painful, embarrassing, and downright humiliating situations that we have seen with weeble wobble and robbie the seal et al. and the trouble these posers have caused to various vet organizations in terms of PR humilations, internal strife, and membership turmoil. In my humble opinion a worthy trade-off…
Combat Historian: obviously, I agree with you. (smile)
I don’t think there would be too many prospective members lost – other than some fakes trying to “skate in” to stroke their egos by telling tall tales. It’s been my experience that most honorable men/women don’t mind having their bona fides verified by a 3rd party. Rather, it’s been my experience that it’s those who have something to hide that are the most likely to squawk.
There are three issues I can see, all solvable. The first is how to handle active-duty applicants. That can be handled by a records review statement from their servicing MILPO mailed directly to the VSO stating (1) the person is currently serving, (2) they have served during the requisite period/in the requisite area/have the requisite combat badge or equivalent; and (3) their prior service has all been honorable. The same process could be used by organizations that require proof of disability (e.g., the DAV), but from the VA vice a military service.
The second is that “lag period” in transfer of personnel records archival responsibility from the parent service to NPRC when a person is discharged. That could be an issue for those who’ve recently left the service and are trying to join a VSO. One way to handle this would be for the first year’s membership to be probationary for non-active-duty applicants applying withing a year of discharge. That should be enough time for the transfer of records archive responsibility. And with online records storage, that is less of an issue today than previously.
The third possible problem area would be cases where a veteran’s records are not complete or are inaccurate. That’s the toughest case I see. Although rare, some information might be missing that would be pertinent (e.g., combat badge orders, award, etc . . . . ) Some form of reclama action would obviously be needed. Personally, I’d tend to be a bit “hardcore” here given (1) the number of fakes we’ve seen, and (2) the fact that each soldier/sailor/airman/marine knows/should know it’s his/her responsibility to periodically review their records for accuracy.
Perhaps this might not be necessary for all members – though even there, I’d say it would be a good thing. But IMO it damn sure should be required for local/state/national VSO officers, especially for those that have a Congressional Charter.
The original post that I joined required that I provide documentation of eligibility. I was given a little paper card to allow entry to the post (based upon being vouched for by several members of the post) until confirmation was complete that what I provided was accurate. Then and only then was my application forwarded and a permanent ID card issued.
That thorough vetting process may only have been for life members. I just do not know, but it was done for me at the time I joined the VFW, as a life member. (And, yes, this was this post’s standard procedure, not because my charming personality caused their “faker radar” to ping!)
We want to thank you ALL for your comments,support and suggestions. I personally am very saddened to find that this is a rampant problem and, on top of that, that there are Posts and VSOs that drag their heels or dismiss this issue. Post 1966 absolutely will not.
@46 Thank you for the links and the other suggestions/information (SF 180s). I am not directly involved with those things but our Commander and Officers will read this blog and discuss how to proceed. IMHO it makes sense to explain that their membership will be provisional until the permanent data can be verified. I think that if an applicant understands that his/her records will be scrutinized more closely then it would be less likely that they would proceed. With our Post anyway.
@47 Thank you. We would be very happy to have you join our Post.
@48 and @50 Your points are well taken. I had to take the post down until the matter was addressed directly but it felt like an accusation. Now after reading that this is in no way an isolated incident, it is a very sad day for me.
@49 Now you know that it was dealt with immediately in less than 24 hours. Please rest assured that our Post Commander has already stated that applicants will be scrutinized much more vigorously from now on.
And to all the other responders, we appreciate everything you’ve said too. This matter will be taken up this weekend at the Conference.
Once again, thanks to all of you. Keep up the good work.
Post 1966 VS
Post 1966 – Thank you for a job well done.
Mr Shipley is awesome.
@56 We did the right thing. The honorable thing. No ifs ands or buts. Thanks everyone. A special shout out to Mr. Shipley. We’re proud to help right the wrong.
As a life member of the VFW [VFW Post11575]I am suprised that the person to this fraud’s right did not smell the shit from this asshole and did not question him about it. Julius really should have known WTF is up!!!!
@#45 Post 1966 VS:,/b>
I am “Frankie Cee”, and commented directly to your post’s facebook page, only to “get your attention”. Had I felt that y’all would cover for this guy, I would have made much more noise and smoke elsewhere. I felt that as many of the members as possible who read my post would help to “make things happen” regarding him.
Kudos to you and your post for doing the right thing.
Post 1966 VS: again, many thanks for doing the right thing here. Not all veteran’s organizations do so when they find they’ve admitted a faker.
It’s indeed sad that there’s a need for enhanced scrutiny. But here at TAH, we’ve seen – time and again – that some people with perfectly honorable and commendable military records will lie through their teeth to make themselves into some kind of “hero”.
Again: kudos to your organization. You decided to be part of the solution vice ignoring the problem. That’s commendable.
Don Shipley’s beard will be representing the US at the Taliban peace talks in Qatar
My apologies to both Don’s hair and TSO’s beard.
Should have read “Shipley’s hair” above.
Hello All. I see I should have checked back sooner 😉
@59 I can’t answer the question about Julius or anybody else except to say that many honorable, trustworthy, duty-oriented people are probably the last ones to confront, question or suspect someone who claims their Service was something it wasn’t. (That’s only my personal opinion) People like Robinson seem to know how to BS people with their made up stories etc about what good guys they are. This event was extremely troubling but it opened eyes as well.
@60 Thanks again Frankie, we do very much appreciate it. I had to take down your post until it was verified but once deleted it was gone for good. Bottom line though is that it was immediately rectified. Unfortunately after reading this blog my eyes were opened to the frequency of such things. Hard to understand that there are actually Posts and people who would cover for this. It is despicable. I have finally posted about it on our FB page. I should have done it sooner but I was out of town and then busy when I got back.
@48 (I’m out of sync here but had to go back!) I was shocked at the story you wrote about. Shame on all of them. Can I still hope that there are more ‘good guys’ than ‘bad’?
@61 We wouldn’t have it any other way. That guy came in as being so helpful and congenial… full of himself. Your post about James Ferris was extremely interesting as well.
It’s good to know you guys. We’re on the same ‘team’. I hope someone thanks Don Shipley for us. And, if you’re ever in Fort Lauderdale please stop by Post 1966 and see Harry (Commander) and Gary (Quartermaster). I’m not there often but I’d be pleased to meet you as well.
IMHO it makes sense to explain that their membership will be provisional until the permanent data can be verified. I think that if an applicant understands that his/her records will be scrutinized more closely then it would be less likely that they would proceed.
And I sincerely believe that any REAL veteran would not have any issue with that. If I brought in my 214 and was asked to sign a SF-180, I’d see that not as a personal insult or questioning of my integrity, but merely a safeguard against the frauds out there. Sad that we have come to this point, but there you go.
As a member of both the AmLegion and VFW, I was not asked to show anything past my ORIGINAL 214 (not a copy, although I allowed them to make as many as they needed.) That to me is a decent “middle ground” step if the member still has their original.
Suffice to say, I’d be interested to see what service the “gentleman” in question actually had.
*long rant alert*
I have a special despise for this imbecile idiots that just think they can take something and put it in there and then said “well I was honoring a friend” ..
Allow me to say while doing that I’m sure you are not honoring your friend, this dude is pretty much pissing on his friends grave (if that is even real which I know is not) now let’s be logical on this, so let’s say one day a SEAL gives me his pin for any reason, I’m sure since every SEAL I had the honor to talk to has said that is the HIGEST award they can have he will make sure you don’t disgrace it by using it in a messed up way.
And if I was to honor a friend, why not donate your time? why not create something? what “good” makes it to steal his valor? what “honor” does it bring to you and him? in short nothing…
I hope there is a special place in hell with a giant budweiser where all this stolen valor creeps get impaled while demons dance around singing viking songs .. other than that I just would love to slap him around and call him “Susana Maria del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus en ti confio” (so yes that would have to be a hell of a b1tch slap to make that name fit on it .. so you get my drift)
*end rant*
So wait he got a purple heart with V device? so that means eh valiantly got shot? or what? “I did not get shot! I ran into the bullet I’m a bad ass!! gimme one with a V device!!” yo pops I’m pretty sure it doesn’t work that way, but then again … I don’t think these people are logical at all anyway.
*sigh*
@65 Your suggestion and others like it on this blog will be viewed by the appropriate people. This seems to go back to the old adage “One bad apple spoils the barrel” (or something like that!) I completely agree that it’s sad that it has come to this. But it has. It is shameful that people would claim honors they didn’t earn. I have often wondered why I see racks of medals/awards available for purchase in the PX and can anyone buy them? Is proof required? I hope so.
@66 He represented himself as a SEAL. As far as I know he only used the excuse of “I did it for a friend” after he was caught. As if that would let him skate by. Not.
@67 Yeah, that’s the way i’ve seen on his videos it goes, I’ve always wondered if in the back of their mind they don’t have the fear of actually finding someone that went into UDT and be confronted, I mean dude is going from 48 to 4 on class (best one I’ve seen dude said he was class 320 too bad class 297 started like a month ago dude was coming back from the future!), I’m sure after everything they go through on BUD/S a real SEAL will never forget his class number.
I laughed all the video, every time I see those videos I keep on thinking. Don’s hair is epic … and mama chief on the background was just awesome!
@68 Yes just imagine how interesting to see Don ask him questions face to face. Priceless.
Don just posted his call to this asshat on his Facebook. Classic!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_08lCa4azQI Gold!!!
And here’s Master Chief’s letter to Robinson’s VFW post,
My letter to the VFW Post…
I was just wondering why no one at the VFW Post has questioned Robbie “Robert” Robinson’s military credentials? I just spoke to him after I was sent the pictures and he claimed his military records were “sealed” from the classified nature of his work in Vietnam as a Navy SEAL. He also claimed he changed his name which is NOT true when I began questioning why his name wasn’t listed in the SEAL Database. And he could not give me a training class number first saying it was Class 48 and then changing it to Class 4.
Not knowing your SEAL Training Class number is like not knowing your wife’s name…
It’s very clear he was never a Navy SEAL because I’m a retired SEAL and I quickly checked and found NO LISTING of him ever being a SEAL. Claiming his records are classified is complete and total B%$%#$*T. And he finally admitted he was a fraud to me after I pulled the SEAL Rug out from under him…
That SEAL Trident is worn on the wrong side of his uniform.
His awards are ALL JACKED UP and I’m surprised that at a Memorial Day celebration there wasn’t a single Purple Heart recipient present that would have asked him “Why do you have a Combat V Device on the Purple Heart you’re wearing?” That’s NOT correct…
Or asked, since you have a Silver and Bronze Star “where is your Combat Action Ribbon?”
Or asked, a Bronze Star awarded for combat, no matter what branch of service, is awarded with a “Combat V Device.” If awarded meritoriously (non combat) it contains no “V.” All subsequent awards are a Gold Star in lieu of second, third award, etc. Why does yours have a small bronze star on it? That is NOT correct.
Or asked, why is the very senior Joint Service Commendation Medal behind the lowly Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation Ribbon and so far out of whack in the US Military Order of Awards Precedence?
A close look at the Silver Star he’s wearing shows a distinct “hole” in the center of it meaning at some point he was claiming “two” of them and the device was removed or fell off…
Brian K Murphy was just removed as Post Commander of Post 8182 in Florida for his outrageous Navy SEAL claims I exposed… What’s in the water in Florida that you VFW guys don’t question a members credentials or claims? How do they get away with this for so long?
At this point not a single word that comes from Robinson’s mouth can be believed. 40+ years of service (he claims) and he wears 10 “RED” and not Gold Hash Marks as a Master Chief? Between that and the awards that looks like he put on in the dark I have my doubts he ever served a single day in the military. It wouldn’t EVEN be close to the first time I discovered that’s been the case…
Robinson in this video at the 3-minute mark of your Memorial Day celebration is SHAMEFUL. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqhoUX…
@72 – The video link at the bottom of your message is gone, “no longer exists”, as YouTube puts it.
@71.
Cool.
The “Don” rocks.
@73…try this one…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_08lCa4azQI
@73 &75 NavCWORet, I think the link oldsargusar was referring to is the one at the bottom of my post number 72. Ill check and see if I cut it off. It was supposedly of Robinson at a Memorial day function this year. I’d not be surprised if the Post pulled it after getting the word on him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqhoUX5o8jw oops, here’s the link I accidently cut it short. Its a long video, but Robbie is at about the 3 minute mark
[…] on the war path and busts out three fools this week, some of whom we’ve already discussed; “Robbie” Robinson, Earl Littman, the combat naked warrior, and Robert […]
“He had his records sealed”…another case of the “sealed” SEAL…
I’ll right away clutch your rss feed as I can’t in finding your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please allow me know in order that I may subscribe. Thanks.
This is a walking testament to “Fraud.” A look at the ribbon bar alone tells all one need to recognize a “thief.” The ribbons are out of precedent, badges incorrectly placed and unauthorized civilian hat and lapel pins are displayed on the uniform. Of particlar note is the placement of the Seal Badge in an inferior and incorrect position to the ribbon bar. What appears to be a USCG Honor Guard Badge is incorrectly placed and in a superior position to the appropriate location. The service award are a “Fools” salad of mislocation and incorrect placement. Award appear for Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm. The varaible of age alone make this highly unlikely. Also of note is the Armed foces Reserve Medal incorrectly displayed and without the Hour Glass device that would be appropriate for the years of service note by the Hash marks on the sleeve. He claims service in the USN but there are no USN awards present on the ribbon bar. There is indeed insult to the Seal Community but there is additional insult to the Brother Hood of Chief Petty Officers in the Navy and Coast Guard. This man wears the Anchors of a Master Chief Petty Officer in the US Coast Guard. His unifrom is that of the USCG and is rife with incorrectness. He waers the Crow and Hash Marks of the Master Chief but these are in red. In my expereince, I have never seen a Master Chief who did not rate Gold for the Crow and Hashmarks. It is a Good conduct thing and he shows only one USCG Reserve Good Conduct award. Iam a retired US navy Senior Chief Petty Officer and Fleet Marine Force Corpsman. I currently serve in the USGC Auxiliary and know the uniforma of the services and proper wear. In my estimation this character has no clue and in that demonstrates the “Thief and Fraud” he is. He has tarnished the USCG uniform by unauthorized and improper use. He has stolen the award of the US Navy Seal and portrays what he did not earn or deserve. He soils the tradition of the Chief’s Brotherhood by parading himself with a ranking and rating underserves and unearned and he “Steals” from all who have served honestly and faithfully because he is fraudlent in all he claims title to and what others honestly earned.
Semper Fi and Semper Paratus
hey,, just found this site from a couple USN destroyer FB sites. ab-so-fucking-lutly love what you are doing!!
BT2 Taylor
USS Lockwood,, USS Meyerkord.
As a retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the U. S. Coast Guard as well as a Coast Guard Vietnam Veteran, I am personally insulted by the actions of this person. He is also wearing a number of unauthorized lapel pins on the uniform. One belongs to the Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association. I am not sure he is even a member.
We had a retired Coast Guard warrant officer make the same claims a few years ago and he spent a year in jail and had to pay restitution for frauds on the VA. I wonder if this one has made similar veteran claims? If so, the VA OIG should be notified.
As for the hash marks and DCCM sleeve insignia, these should be gold. In the uniform changes of 1977 ALL CPOs wear gold regardless of conduct status (this remains a point of contention) and all other enlisted wear red by regulation.
I hope this POS is caught, stripped of his uniform and jailed… All of these imposters feel the need to impress someone, and they are apparently not proud of what they contributed to the service, while IN the service….
I hope this CLOWN is caught.. I wish you good luck and would help if I could.
BMCM Wray Gillette
USCG (Ret)
The first red flag should have been not only the red rating and hash marks – all USCG CPOs wear gold – but the red stars over the crow. I’m sure Princess thought they matched well, but red stars are never used for SCPO and MCPO – only silver. I don’t have a clue where he would have even got the red stars – Jo-Anne Fabrics?
I am sorry to say I served with this fraud during desert storm in the port of Dahran Saudi Arabia. He was a First Class DC. He had a lot of stories and no back up. To the best of my knowledge he never made it to Chief or above. The uniform he has on is not a Chief let alone a Master Chief.
He has not only embrassed myself but my fellow Coasties. If it is the last thing I will do is make sure this and all frauds are exposed that disrespect the military.
I hope that the SOF world continues the pride that they have earned each and every day.
I would also like to send out a Bravo Zulu to Senior Chief Shipley and the great work he is doing.
Again accept my apology for the fraud this former shipmate has brought on the Coast Guard.
As a 22 veteran of the United States Coast Guard I am sick to my stomach seeing this fat piece in that uniform. Then to see this dingle berry representing in a color guard detail is blasphemy.
I am a CPO, I am infuriated seeing this whale sperm defacing everything that busted my ass for.
Senior Chief thank you for outing all of these phonies! If you ever need any help with these fucking phonies please feel free to contact me.
C’mon, this guy is legit. Bring him over to my house and we can throw a very large hero’s welcome party and pay tribute to this man’s man and exceptional human being. I wish I could reward this man’s sacrifice and super-huma feats. please send him over.
Wow! I’m a prior Coast Guardsman myself…I was first introduced to this shit bag this afternoon when a friend sent me a demotivational poster that says, “USCG…Now cool enough to have our own posers!”. I laughed my as off! BZ Senior Chief Shipley…always love watching you work!
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Former Coastie GM2 sends.
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Internet release authorized.
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@86 Larry- It’s worse knowing this guy was a First Class Petty Officer and was incapable of putting together a proper uniform.
Go get em Don. God bless you for the work you do. I was a YN1 USCG. Not real exciting but I served my country for 8 yrs and I’ll forever be proud of that.
The worst part is, there is nothing to be ashamed of having served with a PSU (303?) in theater, especially in wartime. Not the most glamorous work especially when compared with the NSW community, but necessary. I was going to say why embellish your career, but he has gone way past embellishing. Larry- sorry to hear he was a PSU guy, but glad to get confirmation. There were rumors on some forums, but nothing confirmed.
*Hangs head in embarrasment and shame*
I’ve met this dirtbag…he came to a USCG event that I cheffed for..he wasn’t in Soup Sammich Fruit Salad uniform though…
I can not imagine anyone with a Trident, that was only rated as “Marksman” on their rifle and pistol ribbons.. I would expect to see a shinny “E” (Expert) on both…?
When Iwent thru jump school we had seals at the time but they were called UDT.Icannt remember the class number.Iremember someone climbed the water tower and paintedGo Navy.Ithought that was great.A hardcore Airborne colonel made the seals them do push up until they told him who was responsible. He lost,they wore him down and he quite.When I meet a seal I always ask where he went to jump school,i always walk away but I really want to punch them in their lying mouth.Iof the seals were from Reading Pa.Rich Marchinco was his mame. Isquared man! Years later at the wall he saw me and asked me if I was in his jump class. Iwas honoredHe is a seals seal.Read all his books.This phoney piece of shit deserves a good bet down and be exposed as a phoney. Iwas Army an eaned up wiyh the 173rd in nam and with their Pathfinder platton. Stay on this piece of shit.KEEP UP THE FIRE!