John Giduck; Stolen Valor bully
A week or so ago, I was honored with a request of some folks from SOCNET for our help in assisting them in a legal battle they’re having with a stolen valor thief turned bully who happens to be a lawyer. John Giduck was discharged from the Army after a lengthy career of 58 days and proceeded to build another career based on lies about his military experience – you know because all of that Drill & Ceremony gives him a distinct advantage in the world of private security. Well, the folks at SOCNET outed him as a phony and started damaging his business, so like some of the phonies we’ve had here, he struck back. I’ll let the folks from SOCNET explain the whole story;
I am a member of the U.S. Special Operations Website known as SOCNET.COM. It is, since 1996, a place for military, law enforcement and special operations personnel to “hang out” and commiserate. It is open to the public at large and often serves as a sounding board to verify someone’s bonafides in the aforementioned careers; as well as discuss various other topics.
In 2007, a member asked about an individual named John Giduck who made claims, in writing, that he was a former US Army Special Forces Soldier, Ranger, tactical parachute instructor, etc. Mr. Giduck specializes in lectures and seminars given to law enforcement and military organizations about active shooters in schools. He based his work on a book he published (Mar 2005) about the Beslan School Siege in Russia (1 Sep 2004). As usual, several of us contacted former associates to establish Mr Giduck’s credentials. Within a few days we learned that Mr. Giduck had never served in the Army nor ever been a sworn police officer. Needless to say, it put a severe ‘dent’ in his credibility and ability to critique tactics, techniques and procedures. Several of us reported our findings on SOCNET and let it go. Lots of posers, but not a lot of time to deal with them..
His company, Archangel, immediately went on the offensive and posted very long diatribes about his expertise, duty, loyalty, etc. The usual fluff one expects from individuals with direct financial ties to posers: Attack the people who question them, but not directly address facts associated with their fraudulent background. One Archangel employee, Anderson, went as far as to physically threaten a SOCNET member. The post was archived so as not to inflame the situation any further. Anderson owns a gun store in Colorado, so the threat had some degree of credibility.
After three months of harangue, Archangel and Mr. Giduck’s proxies gave up and SOCNET ignored them as well. In November 2011, another associate of Archangel and Mr. Giduck re-opened the controversy by resurrecting the old thread from 2007. This associate, Mason, is former SEAL who defrauded the Navy of $110,000 and turned on his commander Richard Marcinko (“Rougue Warrior”) in exchange for a lighter sentence. The irony of a known poser using a convicted felon to defend his ‘honor’ was not lost on us…
Mason essentially warned SOCNET as a whole that if we did not apologize to Mr. Giduck, there would be trouble ahead. We did some research and discovered three things: Whenever someone used Google and searched used “John Giduck”, SOCNET was the number one search result. Second, fewer law enforcement organizations were contacting him for speaking engagements. Many of us believe they didn’t call him back because he really didn’t provide any real value-added to their policies or training. Third, he just published another book on how a person can “Bring Out the Green Beret in You”. He co-wrote the book with Anderson. The free publicity on SOCNET apparently harmed his book sales.
Mr. Giduck stepped up his campaign along two lines: First, he promised to reveal Personal Identifying Information (PII) of every member of SOCNET he could find. Many of the members of SOCNET are on active duty or serve in sensitive duty positions. His first revelation was of an active-duty Army Special Forces Soldier. We later found out that Mr. Giduck used the Special Operations Association and the Special Forces Association to find the Soldier and publicly release his information. This Soldier is a Silver Star recipient (from Afghanistan) and serves as a Team Sergeant in a Special Forces Group.
Ron McCan, a former president of the Special Forces Association and an employee working at the Special Forces School, used his access to sensitive records and Army Knowledge Online to provide Mr. Giduck everything he needed to place the Soldier’s life in danger as well as his family. Ironically, this Soldier was the first to back away from the controversy surrounding Mr. Giduck when the President of the Special Operations Association, ‘Tilt’ Meyer, informed the Soldier that Mr. Giduck was in fact an ‘Honorary’ Lifetime Member of the SOA as well as legal counsel for the SOA. In other words, this Soldier had nothing to do with challenging the credibility of Mr. Giduck.
You can view the results of his efforts to reveal the PII of SOCNET membership at his web site [Editor Note: I removed the link to protect TAH readers from a dangerous script at the website mentioned]:
Second, Mr. Giduck mailed a ‘pseudo’ lawsuit (early 2012) directly to the Soldier demanding $200,000 from him; as well as contacting the Army directly to investigate the Soldier. The US Army cleared him of all wrong-doing.
Since March 2012 several of us on our own time began open-source research into Mr. Giduck’s past and post our findings. Among the things we discovered:
Mr. Giduck was a practicing attorney in Colorado. One of his last clients was Donna Yaklich, a woman accused (later convicted) of murdering her husband, a Pueblo PD Police Officer. He had an public affair with her after the husband’s death and flew to the Caribbean with her when the Pueblo PD issued a warrant for her arrest. She later returned, turned herself in and retained better counsel…
Mr. Giduck said he never served in the military. We found he enlisted in the Army and failed out of basic training after 58 days.
Mr. Giduck went to Russia and publicly claimed he trained with the Russian SOF, Spetsnaz, as well as consorting with the FSB. The FSB is the successor to the KGB from the Soviet era. This item set off alarm bells with those still in government service. The reason being is we are duty, morally and ethically bound to report these instances to our security and counter-intelligence. There is no “wiggle room” on that process either.
Mr. Giduck consistently provided background information to various organizations throughout the USA alluding to his military experience in SOF. This information is on the internet in cached files or the actual web sites.
Mr. Giduck used the ‘legend’ he created to segue himself into sensitive facilities as well as a national-level Tier One Counter-Terrorism organization. Mr. Giduck does not have a security clearance granted by the DoD or the US Government in general.
There are several other instances of his claims not matching actual experience. SOCNET has a compendium at these URLs:
—Outline of Activities by functional area.
Mr. Giduck has a ‘spot’ on the Poser’s “Wall of Shame” at the POW Network web site.
Other people also questioned his credibility:
This article was written in March/April 2011, but the seminar Mr Giduck spoke at was January 2010; almost two years BEFORE the Giduck Issue was resurrected by Giduck’s employees on SOCNET.
The second URL above is especially damning because it’s written by a retired Intelligence Analyst from the CIA. Mr Cariens, the analyst, started reporting on John Giduck’s so-called research on the VA-Tech Shooting in 2008 (three years before Giduck’s employees resurrected issue):
–http://aquestionofaccountability.blogspot.com/2008/10/archangel-grouppart-one.html
–http://aquestionofaccountability.blogspot.com/2008/10/archangel-grouppart-two.html
–http://aquestionofaccountability.blogspot.com/2008/11/archangel-grouppart-three.htmlMr. Giduck finally revealed two weeks ago what his real intention with collecting and publishing PII: He filed a civil lawsuit against 21 members of SOCNET and 30 unnamed “John Does”. Case Number 12CV128, Park County Courthouse, Colorado. Rather than elaborating on the lawsuit, I’ll summarize: It’s childish, very poorly written and is a textbook example of SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation). Coincidentally, Colorado does not have anti-SLAPP regulations as do many other states. It also comes on the heels of the SCOTUS overturning the “Stolen Valor” Act as an infringement of First Amendment rights. Mr. Giduck’s lawsuit will be the first of many more suits filed by posers to defend their ‘legends’; particularly on the internet.
No doubt you’re asking why I’m writing to you regarding this situation. In short, I’m asking for your web site’s help in publicizing this vendetta Mr. Giduck has against anyone who challenges his credibility.
Below is a letter from another member of SOCNET that best sums up the situation:
“If Giduck is allowed to win this fight it will open the door for every military poser busted on this and other websites to file suit. This suit is about money. It has been from the beginning. That was apparent from the first e-mail that slipped out of his control where Giduck states that he is looking for some deep pockets to sue and win a summary judgement.
This isn’t just about SOCNET. It’s about all of us. If he wins, we will have lost our right to have a free-speech-based opinion about those who would steal what cost us so much to earn. For years this man has posed as a Ranger and a Special Forces Soldier to sell his snake oil to LE and military personnel all over the country, and he has profited greatly. His profits are now in danger due to the truth coming out and him being exposed as the poser that he is. He has infiltrated the Special Operations Association as well as the Special Forces Association and has used them against us.
The first person he attacked, MSG XXXX, is a life member of both associations. MSG XXXX is a Silver Star recipient and an active duty E-8. Giduck attempted to extort $200K from MSG XXXX through threat of a lawsuit. MSG XXXX was served this legal document after his personal information was handed over to Giduck by the SOA. Later, the President of the SFA also used his official access as a contractor at SWC to obtain further personal information about MSG XXXX which was also handed over to Giduck. Neither association lifted a finger to stand behind our brother, MSG XXXX. MSG XXXX crime? He asked the SOA President how John Giduck could be a life member of SOA,(as per Giduck’s promotional materials) when he only served less than two months in the Army. Turns out Giduck was an “Honorary” life member. A fact that Giduck didn’t bother to mention. Giduck obtained his honorary membership in SOA by cash donations and providing free legal representation. Giduck was also the “Registered Agent” for the SOA, meaning that he had legal control of the association.
This is not an indictment of the entire SOA. They are mostly of a different generation that shy away from the internet. Most of them probably weren’t aware of any of this. The SFA is basically in the same boat. Cash donations bought influence and access. I will let others speak about the SFA if they so choose, as that is out of my lane.
Bottom line is, we, and what we stand for, are under attack. Our brothers are victims of this frivolous lawsuit filed by this impostor. We need your help. We talk about our brotherhood a lot and how we will always stand together. Well, that time has come. This website is a powerful force as we have seen many times. I’m asking you to get actively involved in this situation and stand beside us. If he is allowed to win, the consequences are dire. Not only for our brothers who are being sued and whose families, homes, careers and financial well being is at stake, but for the future of SOCNET and others like it.”
A small group of us on SOCNET are trying to get the word out publicly of Mr. Giduck’s actions. We are asking your assistance, and asking your readership to spread the word about Mr. Giduck. Mr. Giduck is fast becoming a serial litigator and will use the litigations as a source of revenue to supplement his income as a speaker. Jonathan Keith Idema did the same thing as does the Westboro Baptist Church.
I apologize for the long diatribe, but I felt you needed some situation awareness regarding Mr. Giduck’s actions.
We could really use your help. We’re not backing down from this and those of us named in the current lawsuit have no choice. We’re in it to win it.
I’ve seen where Giduck has even fooled author Brad Thor, whose novels I’ve stopped reading because of his relationship with Giduck. I don’t tolerate bullies very well, and TSO and I have been the subject of a few recently. I don’t blame these guys for not backing down. Since the Supreme Court put it all on our shoulders to enforce the standards of our veteran community, none of us can surrender an inch to these childish little thugs.
So now you know the Giduck story. Share this link to get the word out and move us up the search engine results for John Giduck
Category: Phony soldiers, Stolen Valor Act
SOA REVOKED HIS HONORARY MEMBERSHIP
So when will SFA follow suit?
Now way! Really? Well good on the FOG’s. I have to admit, as a younger guy, I wanted them to move at lightspeed when they got wind of this, but my GF always accused me of being to quick. They did the right thing, and I apologize to the BOD and membership for doubting them. JG must be livid! LOL!
Richie
St. Paul, MN
How long until JG removes the accolades about being a Lifetime Honorary Member from his About Me page on his website?
Or will he? “JG was a former Lifetime Honory Member” just doesn’t have quite the ring to it, does it?
That’s the problem with this whole thing: Mr. Giduck always used “Lifetime Member” of the SOA, he never used “Honorary” in the title (Which would lead the reasonable person to think he was in some Special Operations unit..it would, me). If he had used “Honorary”, and done the same with all his other titles and bios, etc… Nobody would be talking about him. Good grief, the truth, what a concept huh?
I am a Ranger out of second bat that has been out for a couple of years and currently resides in Colorado. Now that I’ve been updated on this I’ll get this article to as many people in the area including Ft. Carson. The hell with this poser and anyone who backs him up. RLTW
What was that? The user “Really?” was saying that the real “war heroes” and their organizations support Dr. Giduck “because he has done nothing wrong.”
Well, the SOA revoked Dr. Giduck’s honorary membership. Reading the text from the SOA, it sure does look like the SOA just threw Dr. Giduck under a bus. They do not even refer to him as “Dr. Giduck.” They say “Mr. Giduck.”
Now, the president of the SFA, the Special Forces Association, Jack Tobin, is tap-dancing, saying that Giduck had a relationship with the previous president, “Beaver” McCan. But not with the current board of directors. He makes it a point to state that Giduck has no SFA membership of any kind. No general membership, no associate membership, no life membership, no honorary membership. No formal relationship at all.
Jack Tobin correctly notes that previous leaders of the SFA accepted charitable donations from John Giduck. Tobin does not state that the SFA intends to refund those donations. He should. That is tainted money. Giduck earned a handsome living pretending to be a Green Beret, then he had the chutzpah to donate to both the SOA and the SFA. I wish that I could believe that Giduck did it out of appreciation. I have no doubt that he did it in order to further ingratiate himself with the leaders of those Associations.
It is time for Jack Tobin to issue a formal statement on behalf of the SFA. Tobin must state the Association’s support for MSG Jon Clouse, a recipient of the Silver Star and serving team sergeant on an SF ODA who also happens to be a life member of the SFA. Tobin must condemn John Giduck for lying about being a Green Beret, and for attempting to push real Green Berets around with legal threat letters and this fatuous lawsuit. Finally, Tobin must refund Giduck’s donation. The SFA should not accept donations from a fraud like John Giduck.
Anything to say now, Ms. Really?
Will the SOA also revoke John Giduck’s “Special Service Award” which they gave him in 2003?
If not, Giduck might simply modify his bio to drop his honorary membership and continue to say that he earned a Special Service Award from the SOA.
Along those lines, the SOA should publish why they gave John Giduck this award in the first place. By 2003, John Giduck had written no relevant books, had no military or law enforcement operational experience, had no relevant academic background (his Ph.D was awarded in 2011), and 58 total days of military service.
His “training” consisted of several commercial type military adventure camps in Russia, a few HTH training sessions, and a “friend’s list” that included high level Russian intelligence officers who by profession would have loved access to a list of Special Operations personnel that meet the strict SOA membership criteria.
Did Giduck receive his “Special Service Award” in return for his $10,000 donation? My opinion is that it kind of smells that way. The SOA should address and remedy this as well.
A slightly more pragmatic view of the donation – no it should not be refunded. It would only help to fund his defense, which is counterproductive to the organization. Had it been given last week, I would say to return it, but at the time it was given, the general membership had no reason to believe it was not in good faith.
But then, that is a decision for the organization to make. I would not think ill of them if after this amount of time they opt to keep it. If they do feel compelled to “refund” it, perhaps they could donate it to a worthy service organization?
I wonder how long until the lawsuit gets dropped?
Only a fool would go on after this much damaging information.
Okay, this one might take the cake, if the others are not that easily palatable.
May i present to you, The Shovel Master!
Anyone else here study under Cleese?
@111 — RickaTick, please post a ‘stop liquid intake’ warning ahead of such videos. Laughed so hard my stomach hurts.
I usually use a shovel for digging in the flowerbed or digging snow out from the tires on my car. Now I know I can also use it to smack that maroon in the forehead if he ever comes around my house. Also, a spadefork full of horse droppings makes a wonderful defensive weapon.
I’ve simply never seen a shovel used in baton twirling before.
That shovel video is a classic belly laugher! Especially the part where he’s taking multiple attackers! No wonder all of the operators flock to him, he’s on a totally different dimensional level!
Now I’ve done Kali for a lot of years, and I’ve just obviously learned that I’m obviously on Giducks level. Musta been that Russian Secret Bear Adventure Camp training he got from his friends in the KGB and Spetznatz.
In all seriousness, perhaps seeing crap like that shovel video explains why he thinks he has something to offer in the anti-terror world. He is simply not operating in the real world.
I can’t stop laughing. I keep visualizing walking up behind that clown and smacking him in the head with a big scopp shovel while he’s busy doing baton twirling.
Why does he remind me of the fat kid with the light saber?
@116 Sparky, I have just conceived a new award:
Shovel Defense Expert — with a PHD (Piled Hip Deep) attachment
Is obvious this just ploy to discredit heroic man and savior of Motherland Giduck.
He have long history of helping KGB- he is great patriot. Is why we say to him OK to train for Spetznaz and we teach for how to twirl shovel.
Giduck loved by all good Soviets. You attack him because you ashamed you can not be great hero of Motherland like him. You ashamed you no swing shovel like monkey on krokodil. This why is you do this thing.
You see in end Giduck triumph. All GRU and all FSB and all Spetznaz bow before this hero of Motherland. Soon you do this also.
@112 I don’t have the heart to approach anyone armed with a banana. I studied dance instead.
I might be able to help “Tracy” on socnet.com improve the presentation of that timeline. Here’s a timeline I put up to illustrate the lies told by another military fake, for reference:
http://www.naming-schemes.org/~chardin/rguerra/timeline.html
I don’t know the gentleman, but I can be reached at chardin at naming-schemes dot org if he’d like me to do that.
I wonder is why Giduck friends not speaking for Giduck losing SOA membership.
Many time he say SOA his friend. Many time he say SOA comrades. Maybe now this not true?
I say Giduck always have friend in Rodina. If no money for him from imperialists always he have money from FSB. FSB love Giduck too much. FSB and GRU help for him to sue imperialist pigs in America. All good Russians know Giduck speak the truth.
Come home to the Rodina Giduck. Always here you will be hero!
The same tool and SCOTUS decision he is using in the lawsuit will be the reason it is thrown out. The 1st Amendment and freedom of speech. I’m sending this to Fox News, this is the stuff they love to broadcast on Fox and Friends, O’Reilly and Hannity.
Y’know, I just broke out my handy copy of the Bill of Rights and I just can’t find anything in the 1st Amendment that covers fraud.
Awkward.
Greyhawk……
We need defense against a shovel….not fruit!!!!
Okay, so maybe Giduck is a fruit….
In mother Russia, swivel shovel forks you!!!
@84: Joe Tenson, since you are a truth seeker, why not post a mugshot of Donna Yaklich, a cop killer and John Giduck’s lover and client? Don’t you want to tell us how John Giduck vacationed in Jamaica using life insurance money of a slain police officer?
Didn’t think so…
http://thetruthaboutsocnetlies.wordpress.com/2012/05/06/is-dennis-yaklich-speaking-from-the-grave-about-john-giduck/
Old Tanker, a shovel is just a variation on a pointed stick, roight?
Now I’ve got to work on my fish dancing technique…
I may make mangoes my weapon of choice:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/25/otilia-martins-80-thwarts-robbery-mangoes_n_1703306.html?source=rss&ref=weird-news
I think we should ask Miss Otilia Martins to take on Mr. Giduck. I know who will win that one.
I pity this fool when he gets to court.
You should re-check the SCOTUS ruling on Stolen Valor. While they shot down the portion making it illegal to claim service and awards you have not earned under the 1str Amendment, they did NON disallow it in cases where it is used for profit or gain of any type. This asshole is making money off of it and can be prosecuted. Full speed ahead!
He should hang for treason.
He is the same as Bradley Manning in my book.
Read most of these, Also read Giduck’s Terror at Beslan. I found it a very well written and prophetic work with insight that I take for granted because I have no way of verifying its true contents. Felt similar about RedCell’s Dick Marcinko and I know several of his group from then. As for me, I was a common sailor. An OS1 SW, who loved being underway. Then. My life-contacts from Dam Neck, accidental at first became some of the most important for my entire life. Most of these guys DGAS about this stuff. Giduck is a good speaker, has good potential threat awareness and seems to have a great knowledge of what actually happened at Beslan. I would say, Inform him of the discrepancies in his history, prompt him to revise his methods and let him go. If someone was really wanting to hurt him, find out where his classes are, enroll someone from the community it them and ask his some questions rear in open forum in class at the first opportunity. That would hurt. I know I sound soft, but come on folks, our time is better spent supporting so many of our Brothers and Sisters who have, are or will be returning with physical injuries and IEDs in their memory banks located in the brain case housing group. They are who need resources.
@24 Wiley E. contact me offline at robmadrid@hotmail.com regarding “Got a lawyer who handles civil matters in Colorado in the family… let us know. Got some spare scratch to donate… let Rgrjoe know.”
@133
Nice try Mr. Mason.
I think you are forgetting the original letter sent to MSG Clouse demanding he pay Giduck $200,000 or get sued. I think you are forgetting the massive lawsuit Mr. Giduck has brought against serving and retired military personnel for questioning his credentials and operational experience. I think you are forgetting that the ball is in Mr. Giduck’s court and that it is him pressing this issue, and indeed it was he and those acting on his behalf who resurrected it after it had been settled and laid dormant for 4 years.
What I see here is a rather pathetic attempt to redirect and obfuscate- as we have seen in the past.
As we have stated before- every single red cent left at the end of the legal battle will be donated to charities benefitting wounded servicemembers. It is up to Mr. Giduck to end the legal battle so these funds can go to “supporting so many of our Brothers and Sisters who have, are or will be returning with physical injuries and IEDs in their memory banks located in the brain case housing group.”
Believe me- we would much rather be able to send money to charity than fight a man who attacks active and retired servicemen, however Mr. Giduck has stated he is looking for “deep pockets” and we need to deal with Giduck’s own stated goals.
Oddly enough if Giduck continues with his suit, many active and retired servicemen will be in need of charity since none of us have those “deep pockets” he openly lusts for… odd dichotomy dontcha think?
@133: The factual inaccuracies, misinterpretations of facts and myths of Terror at Beslan have been discussed ad nauseum by both Russian (!!!) and American blogs.
http://thetruthaboutsocnetlies.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/russian-experts-claim-terror-in-beslan-inaccuracies-part-1/
http://www.reyndar.org/beslan/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=648508f9c0373712bd7aff0750c44fde&topic=597.0
I would take John Giduck’s research skills with a grain of salt.
@133
I call bullshit.
First off, as an OS1(SW), what kind of a clue would you have about anything tactical, other than what a Dirt Track is? Your incites, with nothing more than a knowledge of Secondary Navigation of a Ship, would not extend into anything Tactical beyond a TAO Handbook. Unless you are trying to convince us that you too are a SeAL?? Kind of find that hard to believe since you mention nothing but the Damn Neck Country Club. (For those of you who do not know: Dam Neck is nothing more than a Class “A” School Facility.)
2nd, your “life-contacts” at Dam Neck are worthless diatribe. There is ZERO presence of the SeALs at Dam Neck. (You should have AT LEAST tried to use Norfolk as your cover point.)
3rd, As an OS1, that would put you at around 10 years in, yet RedCell was under Marcinko in 1984, and he retired in 1989. That would put the time frame at 23 to 28 years ago. (Back before the Judge told you join the Navy or go to Jail)
So, again, I call bullshit. And just so there is no misunderstanding, I started as an OS, progressed through OS2, and the went on to bigger and better things, including working for Homeland Security. My tour was from 1988-1995 in the US Navy.
Your numbers, training, and background don’t wash.
@137
If that post was indeed from Mr. Mason, he was real. Now, looking at what he is famous for, you see the type of people Giduck flocks to, and has around him and pays(?). Great credibility booster there. You also see the lunacy of harping on Barentine for being drunk, while you have a Federal Felon in your corner.
“The government’s chief witness against Marcincko, John B. Mason, was another former SEAL Team Six member who was charged with numerous fraud charges in 1987. He pleaded guilty to reduced charges and agreed to testify against Marcincko and another former SEAL commando, Charles M. Byers, who was convicted last October of federal conspiracy and conflict of interest charges.
Mason testified that he and Marcincko conspired to overcharge the government $113,000 on a grenade contract and to use the money to set up a new weapons firm.”
http://articles.latimes.com/1990-01-26/news/mn-718_1_seal-team
133 lost credibility the moment he declared Terror at Beslan to be well written. Prophetic is an interesting accolade to bestow upon it as well. I don’t think that word means what you think it means.
This is still on Giduck’s website in the Testimonial Section for the Breslan book: ************************************* What other’s are saying about Terror at Beslan: “A must read for local law enforcement.” “This is the story of an event almost too horrible to imagine. John Giduck has the credentials to write this book – he is not only a former Special forces soldier and expert on Russian history and culture, but he was on the ground in Beslan within hours of the assault. His book describes in great detail everything from the terrorist plan to the aftermath. Perhaps most valuable are the sections devoted to the minute by minute review of the assault. It is a story of great herrorism, bureaucratic ineptitude, and utmost savagery. Anyone in law enforcement will draw many lessons from this book. And we need to study this event in detail…there is nothing about Beslan that could not happen in any town or city in our country. That should give us pause.” DISCLAIMER: The above quote regarding John Giduck being “a former special forces soldier” is not true. Through an oversight on our development team the quote was posted unedited. It has recently been brought to our attention and the phrase will be edited out in 30 days time; however, first we want to publicly acknowledge and admit the oversight. Our apologies for the error.” ************************************** So if it’s not true and he acknowledges it’s not true why would he still use that testimonial? This dude is weird. Having said that I’ve met a number of individuals down through the years who claimed to be Vietnam Vets, Marines or SEALS. Since I am actually a Marine Vietnam vet it was easy to “bust” them. I always look for the “Tell” , the slight averting of the eyes or false note in the voice or facts gleaned from a book and not actual experience. It appears that many have fallen for this guy’s con including Brad Thor. Thor is a savvy guy and I beleve that once he learns what’s up he will disassociate from him. He’s one of… Read more »
Jesse-
I would not give up on Mr. Thor’s books either. Everyone makes mistakes, anyone can get snookered and that does not diminish the entertainment value of Mr. Thor’s work.
I also would advise anyone from disparaging the accomplishments of Mr. Mason, Anderson and any/all other real Special Operations personnel to not do so unless you wear that long tab, Trident etc. Whether they stand against or for a certain person or group of people, these individuals have done what 99.99% of the American population would not and could not do.
While I may disagree with their positions- my disagreement carries all the weight of bird crap hitting a windshield on the highway. These individuals have been places and done things most of the country could not even imagine, much less execute.
For this reason, if for no other, they deserve our respect.
If there are issues to be brought up, those issues will be dealt with by other Special Operations personnel.
Should you wish to make a donation to our legal defense fund, the PayPal address is rgrjoe175@aol.com.
If you cannot contribute please “Share” this site on Facebook, repost to Facebook or your personal blog or email this site to your contact list.
We thank you for your continued support.
Rob Krott did a review of Terror at Beslan.
Will interesting if he contacts the editors of SOF mag.
The Russian Shovel: Is there anything it can’t do!
[…] John Giduk Stolen Valor Bully […]
No wonder the Nazi’s kicked the Russians’ asses– the Russians brought shovels to a gun fight. Was Giduck recommending these shovel techniques to SWAT teams? “Guys, forget using those assault rifles when you go up against a gang of violent ruffians! What you want to use in that situation is a SHOVEL! But not a regular shovel… You need one that makes light-saber noises!”
As an interesting side note to this mess, folks interested in representing themselves (pro se), all the forms you’ll need are on CO’s website: http://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/Index.cfm They are free. You can usually give testimony via telephone if an appearance would be a serious hardship. Check w/ the court to see if your situation applies. I’ve always won when I went pro se, but I’m a very, very aggressive bitch who doesn’t believe in simply winning. I believe in crushing the opposing counsel every step of the way. Yes, you’re going to get a lot of paperwork, but I followed the 2:1 rule. For every pound they sent me, I sent back two. A 20-page interrogatory gets a 40-page interrogatory in return. You’ve got, what, 30+ defendants named? That’s 30+ people potentially using the 2:1 rule against one opposing counsel.
For those who are military or have studied strategy and manpower allocations during conflicts, and who are also aware that there are only 24 hours in a day for one person to respond to a lot of paperwork drowning them, let the logistics of that math sink in…
You can pay an attorney, but he’s going to hope you do that because then he’s hurting you even if you win. That said, there are some great attorneys in CO like Benson & Case in Denver. If I wanted to pay an attorney, I’d seek them out first.
Best wishes and luck! I believe this will work out very well and lucratively for you (not Giduck) in the long run.
As a retired AH64 aviator, and the very proud wife of a MSG who just finished his Team Sergeant time, I have a few things to say. 1. I 100% FULLY support SOCNET against this POS, Giduck. Everything I have read about him turns my stomach. 2. I am curious as to why the official in the SOA who gave Giduck the PII was not relieved of his duties? Or was he, and I just missed that? Transfer of PII, for any use other than official, is illegal, period. I don’t believe Giduck’s witch hunt can be considered “official” use. 3. To SF Veteran: What’s wrong with being a nurse? When I was retired and voc rehab’d, that was what the Army chose for me, because in my enlisted days, I was a medic. With the knowledge as a gun pilot, a flight medic and nurse, and as a SF wife…I know things that I can do to people that would make your old a&& wish you were back in ‘Nam! You are just long winded and running your trap. In my opinion, Giduck must have you in his back pocket and paying your bills that the VA is not covering! I get it. Times are hard and you sold out! Now you just have to look the rest of your SF brethren in the face, if you can. 4. To #55: You can’t believe you bought his book? I know… bet you are totally disgusted with yourself. I would be too. I never buy a book from anyone who touts themselves to be heroes or experts in the field unless it has been proven by: a. Having been awarded a MOH; b. I know of them personally; c. They are Lance Armstrong or similar athlete and unquestionably an expert in their field, etc.; or d. They come most highly recommended and their credentials have already been checked out. I ride…quite seriously…hence the cycling remark. 5. Again to #55: My recommendation to you since you wasted your money on that POS’s book. Take the money you spent (and then some)… Read more »
Rob Krott did a review of Terror at Beslan.
Will interesting if he contacts the editors of SOF mag.
It appears that the Special Forces Association has issued a statement of support for MSG Clouse. They also appear to have sent money to MSG Clouse to support the costs of legal defense in the amount that John Giduck donated to the SFA.
http://thetruthaboutsocnetlies.wordpress.com/2012/08/08/has-john-giduck-indirectly-offset-costs-of-msg-clouses-legal-defense/
Talk about irony!
The Special Forces Association appears to have sent money to MSG Clouse to support the costs of legal defense in the amount that John Giduck donated to the SFA.
http://thetruthaboutsocnetlies.wordpress.com/2012/08/08/has-john-giduck-indirectly-offset-costs-of-msg-clouses-legal-defense/
Talk about irony!
If I recall correctly, it was allegedly a SFA official who provided Clouse’s PII to Giduck. I’m no lawyer, but if that’s the case I think Clouse might have a good civil case against SFA on invasion of privacy grounds. Perhaps it’s their way of trying to avoid a suit.