Robert Fritts; phony Ranger/SF/Infantryman
Someone sent us a Facebook link to this Robert Fritts fellow. To hear him tell it, he’s “tabbed out”, he earned three awards of the CIB, Senior Master Jumpwings with a star for a combat jump;
He also claims that he was a team leader in the 1/75th Rangers;
Well, his records tell another story;
He was a commo guy in the 31-series of Military Occupational Specialties, an honorable way to serve your country, but he’s not a Ranger or Special Forces Qualified. He has a set of jump wings, but it looks like he’s five-jump-chump – no Airborne assignments, so no “Master Blaster wings” like he claims, and no “mustard stain”. Germany, Missouri, Germany again and then Fort Knox, KY. It looks like he deployed to Desert Storm with an armor unit from Germany – so not even one CIB. You have to be serving as an infantryman in a battalion-level or lower infantry unit to earn a CIB – he was a commo guy in an Armor unit, so, no CIB.
Again, I keep telling these guys, in order to have three CIBs, you’d have to have been in the Korean War…or World War II to have three. That was my trigger moment on this fellow.
Someone in the comments in one of his pictures calls him Sergeant Major, but I don’t see him calling himself one, so we’ll just leave it at the fact that he got out as a Sergeant First Class. His 2-1 says that he was discharged as an E-6 after ten years, but his FOIA says that he got out in 2005, so I’m guessing that he went to the Reserves or the Guard to finish out his twenty years and he got himself promoted to E-7 there. Also, there are some Navy awards in there, so he may have been in the Navy before or after his active Army service.
It’s guys like Fritts, here, who will eventually drive me out of this business, because I’m sick and tired of people who can’t be happy with their service and they have to make up wild-ass shit to make themselves feel important. The dude needed TWO PAGES for his FOIA for all of his awards, for Pete’s sake.
Category: Phony soldiers
Here’s an account that this clown should read and then take a swan dive from a very high bridge.
I a met a retired Ranger (if there is such a thing as a retired Ranger) last night at a high school baseball game. You may have heard of this man but, likely, you have not. His public profile isn’t a blip on the media radar. He doesn’t seek the limelight. He is in the US Army Ranger Hall of Fame not because of who he knew—it doesn’t work that way—but for what he did. He led combat troops from the front and, during his tours in Vietnam, he compiled a rack, a helluva valor rack. It includes the Distinguished Service Cross, six Silver Stars, and a slew of other valor awards, including the Soldier’s Medal. He also acquired three Purple Hearts. So what does a man of this caliber do on a chilly Friday evening? He goes to speak to two baseball teams and their fans at a local high school baseball game. He mentions little about himself, preferring to talk, instead, of the value of sports and, most especially, teamwork. He should know. Before he became a Ranger’s Ranger, he was at West Point. He played some football was hurt, and wrestled, and played midfield in the Army’s (if not all of college history’s) only undefeated lacrosse team. He was an All-America member of that team. And now he is a little better known and a hero to a couple of dozen high school baseball players. It should not be otherwise. His name, by the way, is Brigadier General Charles E. Getz(US ARMY, RET.) He who wears a baseball-style cap which bears a single word that is a great source of pride for him: RANGER.
Great story
No wonder he’s so proud of being a Ranger; he was Ranger cadre at Eglin and Benning.
http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=839
Yep. That’s the man, a certified asskicker, and a leader of asskickers.
I don’t get it, either. All these people on active duty doing it, too. Beside individual responsibility and integrity, I point to all the awards being handed out like candy. Personally I think it started with the ASR. Wearing the uniform means you made it through basic. I have seen records with 8 Arcoms, BSM’s for being a good clerk, etc. Whatever happened to Letters of Commendation?
People demand recognition and to be important. The twit that replaced me as NCOIC (E-7) demanded everyone call her “First Sergeant” and even listed her rank that way. The real problem was that the OIC and no one else higher including the CSM would stop it. I did a total of 40 before finally retiring. Everyone strutting around looking like a 3rd World dictator and acting like one just pisses me off or saddens me. At least for the Army I hope the new CSM straightens things out. Unfortunately we still have grandpa and the folically challenged still the top dogs. I don’t see things changing anytime soon….
Those with the least authority, use the most authority.
@ OLD SARGE 57, Et Alii:
When I was in the Army, a very long time ago, an E-7 was a Sergeant First Class, and was also known as a Field First Sergeant.
Shortly before my father, an E-7, retired from the Army, his Master Sergeant rank was changed to E-8, but, as an E-7, he was permitted to continue wearing Master Sergeant’s chevrons.
When he died, the folks in Saint Louis sent his medals and rank, which surprisingly, were Sergeant First Class stripes.
So, when I created the shadow box to display his awards, I posted Master Sergeant stripes, since that was all he ever wore on the sleeves of his uniform, and the only rank I ever saw him identified by in official Army photographs and documents.
I think they changed the Army rank structure in 1956 or so.
My father-in-law got caught in that as a pre-changeover E-7 and was still annoyed all those years later when he had to take off the three up and three down.
I held a 1SG position for a few months until a MSG was available. I was still addressed as 1SG, but couldn’t wear the rank. Have to have that “P” to be frocked.
Old Sarge, many years ago I had an experience that may shed some light on why these otherwise honorable veterans seek to enhance their service records and their personas.
My company, as part of our national sales meeting held an entertainment night in which each division of the sales force had to do a brief skit. My department was military sales so we naturally prepared a military oriented skit in which we wore fatigues with military rank. As the boss, I got to wear a colonel’s eagles.
That was the strangest evening, circulating around the ball room and being greeted by those with prior service as, “Colonel” a strange feeling for someone who got out after six years as an E-6. I remember spending much of that evening pondering what my life would have been like had I stayed in, gone to OCS as my boss, the brigade CO, was urging me to do, and become a senior officer.
I can’t explain the sensation but it was unquestionably a brief ego-inflating experience that perhaps is what these folks feel when they hold themselves out to the public as something more than what they actually are and were.
That, of course, excludes the ones that do it for the oldest motive in the world, money.
It’s Brigade level or bellow Infantry unit for the CIB.
Is there any way to check this claim?:
“Between 9/11 and 2004 I was NCOIC of 74 funeral details before I deployed. Serious, but rewarding duty.”
Found as a comment on his Facebook page.
I doubt it. As far as I know, there is no record, other than what would be on an NCOER. I did 1 1/2 years in the honor guard platoon at West Point.
Interesting he posts a pic of a Purple Heart and another medal, let’s everyone applaud him and his service, and btw his PH. Then he said I thought I’d put this up in honor of those we lost 24 years ago. Nice cover Robert, allow others to think one thing, laud you then put a small comment saying it wasn’t you that earned them. Deniability to the max.
That’s a common tactic of ass-lords like him. Put up “rah” stuff and let people assume its his.
So Bobby here isn’t happy with his service and decided to go “Bernasty” with his claims. Well, Bobby, you retired from one of the reserve units assigned to the Vancouver Reserve center, you’re close to my AO… what are the odds that we meet?
I’ve just put this link on my phone, so when we do meet in public (and I’m sure we will), I’ll be able to DIME YOUR STUPID ASS OUT, BEEEYOTCH!!!
Betcha bag full of Brooklyn Bagels he has never had a steady job.
Plus, that yellow baby crap color he selected for his shirt is a major fashion NO NO!
The funeral detail gig claim of 74 from 9/11 to 2004 is not plausible. Unless he covered a large geographical area (and he would not have). The reserves did take a portion of this program over, however I call bullshit on this claim.
I suspect if we peel this onion back, we will find a life al la Bernath.
But what do I know!
Sure he looks like a marshmallow but, inside, he’s really a cream puff.
There are a whole lot of awards I don’t claim BECAUSE I DID NOT EARN THEM! And ya know what? NOT claiming stuff is about the easiest thing I have done in this life. Also, by not lying, it’s very easy to figure out who know which version of untrue stories.
See how that works? Not spending time on lying frees up all sorts of time for productive pursuits. Or at least for non-anxiety producing pursuits.
The irony is he’s on the Internet accusing others of being posers, and warning everyone to beware of impersonators.
Now if he had claimed to be a homo, I would probably have bought that.
I concur, and I think he looks like someone you’s expect to see driving a windowless van!
This guy is a grade A fuckstick. Look at his Facebook page now.No mention of the Army now. But it’s full of Sekret Skwirrel intel stuff now. Funny thing is, he claims to have worked for Blackwater after that company ceased to exist.
Yeah, the assignment sheet says he was an AM2 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aviation_structural_mechanic) in the Navy reserves for 54 months, so that’s were he got the Navy stuff.
Jorge
Now that’s really scary, to let him work on aircraft!!!
Now that’s really scary, to let him work on aircraft!!! I was a AD in the Navy, I would be inspecting all his work!!!
I hate dirtbags that make Airframers look bad.
I wonder how long it will take for that wedding ring in the picture to go away?
Turdknocker.
Reserve or not, How did he make E7? Is says NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Basic level). The thought it increases after BNOC and ANOC. How’d he get promoted and never attended those schools?
@ CA SGT, Et Alii:
What years are we talking about?
When I graduated from III Corps NCO Academy on Friday 15 March 1974, there was no NCO Professional Development riband.
There was only a diploma, which was sufficient for me.
When I completed the Military Police Advanced NCO Course on Thursday 13 September 1984, I was no longer in the United States Army, so the NCO Professional Development riband would’nt have been worn on my civilian clothing.
(I was in the Utah State Guard, which is not a component of the United States Army, but is supported by Army training and access to facilities.)
Mox nix.
I have my diploma, and I am VERY proud of that.
How did you get to advanced MP NCO course without going through basic LE school first? Doesn’t matter if your Guard or Reserve, basic MP school comes first.
@ STREETSWEEPER, Et Alii:
I wasn’t in the National Guard or Army Reserve.
I was in the Utah State Guard, which was a Military Police unit whose stated official mission was guarding Prisoners of War.
This was so many years ago that I doubt the question ever came up, or if it did, I sure as Sam Hill can’t remember back that far.
Maybe they accepted my Project Transition Certificate of Training in Law Enforcement, obtained through OJT while TDY to the 142d Military Police Company in Yong San Army Garrison, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
My experience as a Cavalry Scout would probably apply, as in Viet Nam, Scouts would be assigned as MPs, and MPs would be assigned as Scouts.
All members of the Utah State Guard were required to complete the FEMA Basic Emergency Management Course, and our military ID cards, signed by the Governor, NOT the President, indicated we had Peace Officer authority.
What else can I tell you?
The Army keeps changing.
Here’s the URL where you can see my diploma:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/writesong/8032641676/in/album-72157600591053018/lightbox/
Here’s the URL of a photograph of my 142d MP Company OJT Law Enforcement certificate:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/writesong/8644000962/in/album-72157633227049457/lightbox/
What kind of crossed weapons are those that are pictured in back of the Ranger insignia?
How are those types of weapons related to or employed by Rangers?
Are those antiques from frontier days?
Are those mountain howitzers that were carried by the Merrill’s Marauders pack mules?
They look like an M224 60mm mortar, minus the baseplate and legs.
http://preview.turbosquid.com/Preview/2014/05/16__13_20_43/M224_60mm_Ground_Cam04.jpg4235b1c4-0ed4-4da6-aebe-6daa9eab5893Original.jpg
@ JON THE MECHANIC:
I believe you’re absolutely correct!
Thanks for the clue.
Wait…wait…wait. This mofo did a tour with the 3/7 Cav (did I read that right) and he’s got to embelish his f’ng junk? Geezus! Fuck him, too.
This turd looks like an old Larry Sims.
Or an old BH Austin.
Ok this is going to sound crazy, about a month ago on gates pass rd. west of Tucson, we had a road rage incident. The guy behind me tailgating had a plate like the one, I have. and the lady in the car had short blonde hair about 50ish. The guy pulled a gun on me. when I pulled over to let him pass me, so I pulled mine out also, and they sped off going SE. Well that area is Tucson Estates. We filed a police report and I swear under oath this is the Guy !!!!!!!!! And Gal, the make of the vehicle is a white 2010 or newer Ford Focus my wife can’t forget the women’s hairdo it was 80s buzz cut. a gentleman from Vet group here in Tucson thinks that this is the guy that was Kicked out of a Post here for Lying, about his service. I’m going to show this story to our post commander from another vet group.. This is INSANE WTF !!!!!!!
UPDATES ARE COMMING !!!!!!!! I’m sorry it’s so late but I’ve been in a district meeting all day. Show or send this to Jonn or Scotty ??????m
Nope not him, wrong guy. The guy was in his mid 40s claiming to be a seal and a delta. Was kicked out a year or so ago, and he was single…. Holy Crapolya
Geebus; my ginormous ribbon rack is puny next to his (it’s also puny next to a modern day PFC, which Jonn, TSO, and Mr. Wolf can confirm after seeing my 214, but I digress) and I never have thought to embellish upon that mass salad on my dress greens. Why someone that has done as much as he has thinks they need to add tabs, bling, and bs stories to their lives just befuddles me.
I met a young Marine, a couple weeks back, and we were bs-ing and he never once mentioned that he was an Afghan Vet, or other tales of daring-do, and we just had a nice time chatting about being in some of the same places/areas, although decades apart. I only found out about it towards the end by noticing his Afghan Vet license plate. Not everything people talk about has to become a dick measuring contest and this young man “gets it” much more the SFC Fritts does.