BUDWEISER :

SEAL trident

NICKNAME for the "Trident" SEAL qualification badge, formally called the Special Warfare Badge, which was adopted in 1971; as derived from reference to both the basic school, and to design similarity with the "Budweiser" beer logo. The Basic Underwater Demolition School (BUDS) is the preliminary training for SEAL specializations; so the name is a play on words: BUDS + wiser. The TRIDENT incorporates the original UDT badge as its central motif; both badges were initially partitioned silver for EM/NCO and gold for OFFICER, but later combined into a single gold badge for all ranks. See SEAL, SCUBA, UDT, NSWG, DIVER, BLOODING. [nb: 'Budweis' is the German name for a Czech (Bohemia and Moravia) town]

A UDT-SEAL Assn. Plank Owner's Card

Bob Thomas

 click to enlarge photo

Class 89

                             
                    Are you glad you missed the Vietnam War Games?   Making LOVE  &   WAR!

I believe this one was at  Vinh Long USArmy Camp

                                                      
                                                       Ft. Benning GA, Basic AIrborne Training the 200 ft. towers

THE OLD OUTFIT

"Written By a World War Two Sailor."

Come gather round me lads and I'll tell you a thing or two,
about the way we ran the Navy in nineteen forty two.

When wooden ships and iron men were barely out of sight,
I am going to give you some facts just to set the record right.

We wore the ole bell bottoms, with a flat hat on our head,
and we always hit the sack at night. We never "went to bed."

Our uniforms were worn ashore, and we were mighty proud.
Never thought of wearing civvies, in fact they were not allowed.

Now, when a ship puts out to sea. I'll tell you son, it hurts!
When suddenly you notice that half the crew's wearing skirts.

And it's hard for me to imagine, a female boatswains mate,
stopping on the Quarter deck to make sure her stockings are straight.

What happened to the KiYi brush, and the old salt-water bath?
Holy stoning decks at night, cause you stirred old Bosn's wrath!

We always had our gedunk stand and lots of pogey bait.
And it always took a hitch or two, just to make a rate.

In your seabag all your skivvies, were neatly stopped and rolled.
And the blankets on your sack had better have a three-inch fold.

Your little ditty bag . . it is hard to believe just how much it held,and you wouldn't go ashore with pants that hadn't been spiked and belled.

We had scullery maids and succotash and good old S.O.S.
And when you felt like topping off, you headed for the mess.

Oh we had our belly robbers, but there weren't too many gripes.
For the deck apes were never hungry and there were no starving snipes.

Now, you never hear of Davey Jones, Shellbacks or Polliwogs,
and you never splice the mainbrace to receive your daily grog.

Now you never have to dog a watch or stand the main event.
You even tie your lines today; back in my time they were bent.

We were all two-fisted drinkers and no one thought you sinned,
if you staggered back aboard your ship, three sheets to the wind.

And with just a couple hours of sleep you regained your usual luster.Bright eyed and bushy tailed, you still made morning muster.

Rocks and shoals have long since gone, and now it's U.C.M.J.
Back then the old man handled everything if you should go astray.

Now they steer the ships with dials, and I wouldn't be surprised,
if some day they sailed the damned things from the beach, computerized.

So when my earthly hitch is over, and the good Lord picks the best,
I'll walk right up to Him and say, "Sir, I have but one request.

Let me sail the seas of Heaven in a coat of Navy blue.
Like I did so long ago on earth, way back in forty two."

Erasmo "Doc" Riojas joined the U.S.Navy in 1948

Randy (son) Robert D. Russel (father)

Roy,
Thank you for your response on what I found on the WWW about the birth of USNavy SEALs.  I did not save what I forwarded you, so that is the reason is not posted here.   Thank you very much for the letter, above, and the two followup emails ,below.    

 Erasmo "Doc" Riojas   BUD/S class (zero,nada)

        
                            The two great women that have "canned" me.   The last one is the charm.

      
Walking in a canal, 'nam war game                                                      I was forced to leave this chushy duty  to go to the                                                                                                      the F.M.F. Korea.  Thanks to Pres.Harry Truman Truman!

 The USNavy National Naval Medical Center,Bethesda MD. This is where I was stationed

We used this Sanpan also to chase VC Tax collectors.  That is Chuck Jessie, Tuan LDNN, and Erasmo "Doc" Riojas doing the maintenance on it.  One of the LDNN dressed as a civilian did the driving.  Roy Dean Matthews asked me in the year 2007 if I was ever scared riding inside this sanpan.  The gospel truth!  I was scared shitless.  It was because we are in side that plywood enclosure and cannot see what the heck is going on.  Plywood is not bulletproof !

this book and other SEAL books are on sale on amazon.com for $0.01 plus shipping.        Yes,  ONE  cent !              June 2008:  I am presently writing a book about my military experience in the Korean Police Action as a FMF Corpsman with an infantry platoon, and also my tours to the Vietnam war games as a U.S. Navy SEAL.   I am sure my book will be for sale in Amazon.com  for the same price.

"Hey! Be Careful!"    You wanna be Careful?   Go join the Coast Guard!

"The Shark at UWSS Key West FL"  constructed by YNCS (DV)(PJ)(SS) Dow Byers (RIP). 1967. Ernie Caltenback, Master Diver, was wrapped in casting cloth for the mold. The face was byers, the hands were his wife's Annice Byers.  The shark is now atop the Diving Locker at the Naval Base, San Diego CA.

Rich Young    http://www.nightscribe.com/Military/SEALs/seals.htm    SEAL stuff!

USNS Weigel,  Doc Riojas' first seaduty as USMC Troop coming home from Korea.

              
        For Example search for John F. Rabbitt  or  Me

Lt. Jason Redman, US Navy SEAL,  ST-10

This is the story of how a bunch of New York City Firefighters met and “partnered” up with SEAL Team TEN. This began with a trip to Bethesda Naval Hospital back in October 2007. As we were making the rounds of the ward, we came upon a sign hanging from one of the patient's door. You could not help but realize that inside that room was an incredible human being; a man who gave part of himself to make this country what it is.

  This is the sign we saw:  

I immediately took a photo of this and we asked if we could meet this young man (Lt. Jason Redman, US Navy SEAL). The corpsman escort entered first and asked the warrior if he would meet with us (usual procedure) Needless to say, his response was affirmative. When we entered the room, this young man was standing there , .. hanging from him were a maze of tubes and other medical contraptions which to a normal person would mean "stay in bed", Jay greeted us like brothers and began a conversation about New York , Firefighters, and SEALs being bonded. We stayed as long as we were permitted, and left. All day long we spoke the attitude of that young man. A few days later, a friend was going down to visit the troops ... I asked her to visit this young man and to ask him if he would allow us to "adopt" his team, My friend did meet Jay and relayed my request. It was then I found out there were 200 people in the Team. Undaunted, I said "not a problem," but I knew I had to come up with 200 hats, tee shirts and patches from somewhere. A few days later, I received an email from Jay's CO, CDR Robert "Gus" Gusentine and we communicated back and forth discussing this partnership (SEALs are not adopted).

Webmaster's note:  They all met and visited three FDNY firestations and the entire ST-10 got hats and T shirts.  article from The BLAST 3d quarter 2008. Vol.40, No.3

Let's Be Worthy of THeir Sacrifice  'The wounds I received I got in a job I love.' By KARL ROVE This holiday season, home in Texas and surrounded by close friends and family, I often found myself thinking about virtual strangers. Corbis  A Navy Seal at work in Afghanistan. I met them this fall when I spoke at the Naval Special Warfare Foundation (NSWF) dinner. The NSWF supports naval commandoes with scholarships and assistance for families of Navy SEALs killed or wounded in combat or training. During my White House years, I came to know of the heroic actions of the Seals and other special operators in the global war on terror. These men willingly follow evil into dark and perilous places. They volunteered to be on the front edge of the conflict whose outcome will shape this century. The highlight of the NSWF dinner was a video of "snatch and grab" operations in Afghanistan. It showed helicopters lifting off to pounding music, night footage of Seals jumping onto roofs and rappelling into dusty fields, the breathtakingly destructive power of American missiles and machine guns, and compound doors blowing open and terrorist suspects being rounded up. The Seals who prepared the video had carefully mined President Bush's speeches, using his voice and words as narration. I was touched by this and knew the president would be, too. So when I met the Seal who'd produced the video, we exchanged email addresses. Later, before he left for Afghanistan for his umpteenth deployment, I asked for a copy of the video to show the president. He was happy to supply one but had a request in return. Could the wives and children of his unit's members see the White House Christmas decorations while their husbands and fathers were deployed? The First Lady readily agreed and with NSWF's help, 75 Seal family members were greeted at the White House just before Christmas by the president and Laura Bush. It was one of the high points of Mr. Bush's last holiday in Washington. On Christmas Eve, I received an email from Afghanistan, with thanks for helping to facilitate the tour. Attached was a picture of the videographer and his team, ready for that night's mission. Bearded and scruffy, covered with weapons and standing in a rude shelter, they were all wearing bright red Santa Claus hats. It was the best gift I received this Christmas. I met another Seal at that NSWF dinner. He'd been shot eight times in Iraq and had undergone nearly two-dozen operations. One bullet had taken off part of his cheek and nose. He was destined for reconstructive surgery in a few days. Yet he didn't feel sorry for himself. He was full of charisma, confidence, cockiness and joy. After all, he confided, when you're a wounded Seal, the world's best doctors want to operate on you so they can brag about it. Besides, he explained, he was just showing that a Seal really could catch bullets with his teeth. He said that after a couple more procedures, he'd "be back in the game." I asked what he meant. He was amused and said he was going back into action. "My team needs me," he said before letting out a laugh. But you knew he meant it, and you knew his team did need him. He went off to get a drink for his wife. I didn't want to pry, but I asked her how she felt about him going back into action. She said she was all for it because that's what he was made for. I had to fight back tears. The next day, I got an email from the retired Navy Seal buddy who'd talked me into speaking at NSWF. He shared a picture of the sign the wounded Seal put on his Baghdad hospital door. On it, the Seal had scrawled that visitors shouldn't "feel sorry" for him. "The wounds I received," he wrote, "I got in a job I love, doing it for people I love, supporting the freedom of a country I deeply love. I am incredibly tough." And on his sign he promised "a full recovery" and wrote that his hospital room was a place of "fun, optimism, and intense rapid regrowth. If you are not prepared for that, GO ELSEWHERE." He signed it "The Management." I keep this picture with me so I think every day about those I met this fall. And I thought about them often during the holidays. When I did, I felt awe that such men and women exist, and gratitude that they put themselves in harm's way for our nation. I hope America continues to be worthy of such staggering service and sacrifice. May the New Year bring safety to all who wear our country's uniform, success in the missions they so passionately believe in, peace and comfort to their families, and reunion with all whom they love. Mr. Rove is the former senior adviser and deputy chief of staff to President George W. Bush. NSWF can be found at nswfoundation.org.  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123085828475347775.html

Classic Frogmen and Dive Books

To Kill an American
by:  Australian Dentist.

To Kill an American You probably missed it in the rush of news last week, but there was actually a report that someone in Pakistan had published in a newspaper an offer of a reward to anyone who killed an American, any American. 


So an Australian dentist wrote an editorial the following day to let everyone know what an American is . So they would know when they found one. (Good one, mate!) 


"An American is English, or French, or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian or Greek. An American may also be Canadian, Mexican, African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Australian, Iranian, Asian, or Arab, or Pakistani or Afghan. 


An American may also be a Comanche, Cherokee, Osage, Blackfoot, Navaho, Apache, Seminole or one of the many other tribes known as native Americans. 


An American is Christian, or he could be Jewish, or Buddhist, or Muslim. In fact, there are more Muslims in America than in Afghanistan. The only difference is that in America they are free to worship as each of them chooses. 


An American is also free to believe in no religion. For that he will answer only to God, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for God. 


An American lives in the most prosperous land in the history of the world. The root of that prosperity can be found in the Declaration of Independence, which recognizes the God given right of each person to the pursuit of happiness. 


An American is generous. Americans have helped out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need, never asking a thing in return. 


When Afghanistan was over-run by the Soviet army 20 years ago, Americans came with arms and supplies to enable the people to win back their country! 


As of the morning of September 11, Americans had given more than any other nation to the poor in Afghanistan. Americans welcome the best of everything...the best products, the best books, the best music, the best food, the best services. But they also welcome the least. 


The national symbol of America, The Statue of Liberty , welcomes your tired and your poor, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores, the homeless, tempest tossed. These in fact are the people who built America. 


Some of them were working in the Twin Towers the morning of September 11, 2001 earning a better life for their families. It's been told that the World Trade Center victims were from at least 30 different countries, cultures, and first languages, including those that aided and abetted the terrorists. 

So you can try to kill an American if you must. Hitler did. So did General Tojo, and Stalin, and Mao Tse-Tung, and other blood-thirsty tyrants in the world. But, in doing so you would just be killing yourself. Because Americans are not a particular people from a particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, is an American.

This is the Casket of SEAL Petty Officer James SHU of SDV Team ONE, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Los Angeles CA, summer of 2005.        data by Tom Hawkins
Webmaster's NOTE:   This tradition started when Jerry Waters, ST-2, diet in a parachuting accident at Suffolk VA. in Nov. 1971.    Jerry was the first SEAL to die from ST-2 after the "Bud" was approved and the SEALs that attended his funeral at Savannah, GA thought it was the right thing to do to place their "BUDs" on top of Jerry's casket before it was lowered.         Doc Riojas(webmaster)      story by Capt. Ryan Mc Combie (SEAL) (Ret) USN.

 

Matthew G. Axelson	June 28	SDVT-1
Danny P. Dietz	June 28	SDVT-2
Michael P. Murphy	June 28	SDVT-1
The three SEALs named above were part of a four-man reconnaissance team that clandestinely infiltrated into the Hindu-Kush mountains along the border with Afghanistan on June 27, 2005. The squad was reportedly tracking a high-ranking al-Qaeda leader when they were ambushed by overwhelming Taliban forces with superior firepower. The three SEALs provided protective fire for a fourth member in their squad to escape, before they were killed by enemy fire.  One SEAL, HM1(SEAL) Marcus Luttrell survived this "OP",  and was later rescued.  Doc Luttrell wrote a book titled "LONE SURVIVOR" which was on best sellers list for a very long time.
The eight SEALs named below were on a combat rescue mission to reinforce a SEAL squad (above) which had been ambushed and was engaged in a fierce firefight with overwhelming Taliban forces. The eight SEALs were killed along with eight Army “Nightstalker” commandos when the MH-47 helicopter that all were aboard was shot down and crashed in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. (Full story…)
Jacques J. Fontan	June 28, 2005	ST-10
Daniel R. Healy	June 28, 2005	SDVT-1
Erik S. Kristensen	June 28, 2005	ST-10
Jeffrey A. Lucas	June 28, 2005	ST-10
Michael M. McGreevy, Jr	June 28, 2005	ST-10
Shane E. Patton	June 28, 2005	SDVT-1
James Suh	June 28, 2005	SDVT-1
Jeffrey S. Taylor	June 28, 2005	ST-10

USS NEW YORK

          
I had this made when I was working in the Texas Dept of Corrections in two of their Prisons.  I was known as "Dr. Death"   aka: Doc Riojas

                            
                                                                                          SEALS Hydro Track for treatment of injureis

                                                              
                                                 Roy Dean Matthews foot on the right

Dow Byers son, Dr. David Byers receiving
award as the youngest man ever to complete
UWSS school.  David is the son of Dow Byers YNCS.

 Warren Lockette (M.D. 1981) is the 2002 Navy recipient of the Roy Wilkins Service Award, given by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People at their 93rd annual convention in Houston on July 9.

The award is presented annually to a member from each branch of the armed services who has best demonstrated accomplishments that support the Association’s principal goal of ensuring political, educational, social and economic equality for minorities in America. Lockette, a medical officer, scientist, and special advisor to the U.S. Navy’s top SEAL commando, received the award in recognition of his groundbreaking work in assisting the Navy SEALs in their diversity and recruiting programs.

History of the Hospital Corps

 

Job Descriptions:     As a SEAL, SWCC, EOD Technician or Fleet Diver, you may be called upon to dispose of ocean-borne mines or conduct combat operations in any environment throughout the world. To qualify for special warfare/special operations, you must complete an intense physical and mental conditioning program.       The competition to become a member is fierce, but if you're motivated, self-disciplined, in excellent physical condition and have the passion to perform under pressure in extreme environments, the Special Warfare/Special Operations field might be the perfect place for you. Typical missions include gathering enemy intelligence, performing covert reconnaissance or conducting counterterrorist operations and performing long-range maritime transit in support of a variety of Special Operations.   What Will You Do? SEALs Since 1962, when the first SEAL Teams were commissioned, Navy SEALs have distinguished themselves as individually reliable, collectively disciplined and highly skilled warriors. SEALs go through what is considered by many military experts to be the toughest training, both physically and mentally demanding, in the world. Their duties include, but are not limited to: Conducting insertions/extractions from the Sea, Air or Land (hence SEAL) to accomplish covert, special operations missions in any environment throughout the world. Capturing high-value enemy personnel and terrorists around the world. Collecting information and intelligence through special reconnaissance missions – reconnoitering both enemy installations and enemy movement. Carrying out small-unit, direct-action missions against military targets. Conducting underwater reconnaissance and the demolition of natural or man-made obstacles prior to amphibious landings.     SEALs receive normal military pay and allowances, plus incentive pay for special skills and assignments. There is also a $40,000 enlistment bonus available for SEAL applicants. The enlistment bonus is the highest paid in the Navy.       Are you up for the mission? Click here to explore the clandestine world of the Navy SEALs.     SWCCs     SWCCs are trained in all environments and are the masters of maritime Special Operations. SWCCs are superbly trained as maritime mobility operators who operate a variety of high-speed Special Operations Craft (boats) in open ocean, coastal and Riverine environments.       SWCCs are required to utilize a combination of specialized training in maritime navigation, radio communications, boat/propulsion systems engineering, crew-served and personal weapons, parachuting, first aid and tactics in completion of Special Operation missions worldwide. Some duties in this field may include: Conducting maritime insertions/extractions of SEALS and other Special Operations Forces. Collecting information and intelligence on enemy military installations in coastal areas. Performing parachute/helicopter insertion operations in support of missions. Supporting military and civilian law enforcement agencies.   EOD Technicians     EOD Technicians deploy to the world's oceans and seas with Aircraft Carrier Battle Groups and amphibious-ready group staffs. They are always on hand to respond to ordnance in any environment. Specific mobile detachments called Mine Countermeasures specialize in mine hunting and mine clearance. They're specially trained to use the equipment and procedures necessary to locate, identify, neutralize, recover, exploit, and dispose of sea mines, torpedoes and depth charges.       EOD Technicians directly support the global war on terrorism by integrating with Navy SEALS, Army Special Forces, and Marine Expeditionary Units to name a few. Their unique knowledge of Improvised Explosive Devices, conventional and non-conventional ordnance, underwater ordnance, chemical/biological material and nuclear material make them a force multiplier to any war fighter. Other duties may include: Supporting Aircraft Carrier Battle Groups and Amphibious Readiness Groups in all aspects of Ordnance safety. Conducting reconnaissance and demolition of natural or man-made underwater obstacles prior to amphibious landings. Conducting demolition of hazardous munitions, pyrotechnics and outdated explosives using detonation and burning techniques. Performing underwater location and identification of foreign and domestic ordnance. Rendering safe and/or disposing of foreign and domestic ordnance. Performing parachute/helicopter insertion operations in support of missions. Supporting military and civilian law enforcement agencies. Working with cutting-edge technology to remotely disable unsafe ordnance. Conducting underwater mine countermeasure operations to clear waterways in support of the fleet.     From helping protect the President to clearing minefields, click here to learn more about the stimulating work being done all over the world by EOD Technicians.     Navy Divers     From their simple beginnings as swimmers disarming mines during the Civil War, Navy divers trace their history back to the middle of the nineteenth century when they were primarily employed in the salvage and repair of ships. The term “Navy Divers” is anything but typical. Divers have played a critical role in the Navy. The rare breed of men and women in today's Navy Dive Team play a vital role in a broad spectrum of missions.       Using the most modern diving equipment available, divers are taught how to operate in a variety of conditions — from clear, warm tropical waters to frigid, arctic waters beneath icebergs to water so murky that the work must be done by touch alone. Today, divers perform a number of essential tasks, including underwater reconnaissance, demolition, construction, ship maintenance, search and rescue, and salvage operations. Other duties may include: Performing a variety of diving salvage operations and special diving duties worldwide. Supporting military and civilian law enforcement agencies. Serving as the technical experts for diving evolutions for numerous military special operations units. Providing security, communications and other logistics during Expeditionary Warfare missions.     View the photo gallery of Navy Divers in Action!       Ready for a deeper dive? Click here to learn more about the exciting world of Navy Divers.     Skills and Training     Your training in Special Operations is a combination of intense physical and mental training, designed to push your mind and body to their limits. You’ll train in any number of conditions and environments, including maritime, coastal, Riverine, mountainous, jungle, desert and urban terrains.     Earn College Credits (Equivalent to Elective Credits)     You may learn the fundamentals of explosive ordnance disposal through formal Navy schooling. Or you may learn about chemical and biological warfare, military tactics, deep-sea diving or a number of other tactical military procedures. The courses in this field are demanding, but individuals who accept these challenges are rewarded with extra pay and extraordinary duty assignments.     Career Outlook     Jobs within Special Operations have comparable civilian counterparts that include high-level security assessment, security instructors, emergency medicine, law enforcement, civilian EOD/bomb disposal, Chemical-Biological-Radiological (CBR) protection and response, force protection/personal security and all types of diving salvage. You will be part of a community that values leadership, self-determination and organizational skills.       As you mature in any of the Special Operations fields, employers in the military and civilian communities will value you. Completing some of the most demanding training our country has to offer says that you have what it takes to accomplish any task an employer could throw your way!

Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Executive Order Honoring Vietnamese Heritage click on "X" to view the Video !      WHEREAS the Vietnamese-American community has made positive contributions to the historical, cultural, educational, and economic prosperity of California; and http://gov.ca.gov/index.php/press-release/3162

----- Original Message ----- From: Bill Langley To: Undisclosed-Recipient:; Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009  Subject: TECHNOLOGY  These modern smart alec youngsters think they are so technologically advanced with their phone messaging.  I remember when on one of our deployments, Durwood White sent/received messages with our ship that was offshore when a storm was on it's way.  We stayed ashore and the ship departed for deeper waters. All was done by flashing light. Durwood used a C-rat box with a light bulb inside it. He made a flap on one side to send his message.  We all knew a little Morse Code but Durwood was our platoon expert. UDT 21-2 "Second to None" during the good ole days. Bill Langley From : Doc Riojas To: Durwood H. White  Sent:  Friday, March 13, 2009      Subject:  Durwood, is Bill Langley's story true? I would like to hear your side of that story. Rio From: DURWOOD HUNTER WHITE To: docrio45 [@] gmail.com Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 Subject:  Re: TECHNOLOGY  Yep its true. Can't remember the exact nature of the communications; thought our boat had slipped its mooring and I asked the ship to send a boat to look for it  I am now 70y.o. and dementia setting in, I'll go with either reasoning. I think the Island was Corsica but not sure. Definently remember a local coming around each day with Chianti wine and cheese to sell. That's where I got hooked on wine and drink it to this day. I think I have a picture of our Platoon taken on the Island.   I'm planning a trip to Calif. around the last of May and before Christmasto see my Daughter and Grandkids. Her Husband is in the Navy stationed at Le Moore Naval Air Station Calif.  I'm driving because I know I've seen at least 3/4 of the world while I was in the Navy but I have never seen the Western United States. This might be my last chance.  Take care Old Comrade;     Whitey

Cassidy, 39, a Navy commander from York, Maine, was awarded the bronze star and a presidential citation for leading a nine-day operation at a cave complex on the Afghan-Pakistan border. He picked up another bronze star a few years later.

His resume reads like James Bond's. As a 10-year member of the SEALS, Cassidy was skilled in building assaults, ship boardings, desert reconnaissance, combat diving, underwater explosives, parachuting and rappelling.

"I like a little bit of a thrill," he explained with a chuckle.

NASA picked him as an astronaut in 2004. This is his first spaceflight. By virtue of his seating on the shuttle, he will become the 500th person to fly in space, and he will perform three spacewalks.

He and wife Julie have two daughters, one 14 and one who turns 12 this week, and a 10-year-old son.

The crew of space shuttle Endeavour, from left, flight engineer Timothy Kopra, mission specialist's Thomas Marshburn, and Christopher Cassidy, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette, commander Mark Polansky, pilot Douglas Hurley and mission specialist David Wolf gather for photos after their arrival at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Tuesday, June 9, 2009. Endeavour is scheduled for a June 13 launch on a mission to the International Space Station.(AP Photo/John Raoux)

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jPf0ojrKRPWJe1reVvVVSWRQ-iuAD98O3AAO0

SEAL WANNABE SeaStory,   Unbelievable Stuff they Dream of!   From:  Lyle ; lmeece1 [at]comcast.net  Subject: A couple of SEALS To: Doc Riojas  docrio45 [at] gmail.com Date: Monday, June 15, 2009 I stumbled across your web page. I was looking for a man I met about 15years ago. Patrick Callahan, he was with SEAL 1 in 66-67-68. I was on a veteran awareness walk.  I am not a vet. My father served in WWII and Korea. I was also friends with Bob Marvin he was with Team 2 at the same time. I showed Callahan a picture (from Time Life series) and said Bob was in the picture in the first row. Callahan freaked out he was standing exactly behind Marvin in the picture.  It was probably the only time Team 1 and Team 2 ever operated together especially during the day. I got the two of them together and they had a long talk alone in the woods. Callahan was from Texas, and Marvin was from Chicago. Well, Marvin passed away recently.  I have a copy of the Time life picture, and a picture of Callahan as I met him. If you would be interested in the pictures, I would be happy to send them to you. If I don't hear from you I know that you are not interested. Yours and thank you for your service to our country  Lyle                               Doc Riojas,  Neither ROBERT �BOB� MARVIN nor PATRICK �PAT� CALLAHAN are listed in the SEAL Database. In fact there is only one listing for the name MARVIN and one listing for the name CALLAHAN in the whole SEAL Database� and neither the first nor the middle names for either of our men match the names of the guys in the story you sent.  This has all the earmarks of two phonies who never really knew each other, but who each think that the other guy might be real� so they agree with whatever the other guy says. You get this odd situation of one phony validating the claims of another. I have seen it happen time and time again.  The other situation is one where someone sees an old Vietnam B/W photograph and loudly proclaims �HEY THAT�S ME AND MY GUYS�. After 30-40 years no one really looks like they did back then, and it�s virtually impossible to match the guy NOW with anyone in the picture. So then the other phony comes along and says �Yeah� and that guy next to him is ME�� and they both agree because neither one wants to be shown out as an imposter.  I do think the Vietnam War photograph might legitimately show Team guys. The partial arm and weapon at the far right shows the short muzzle of a CAR-15 variant as was often carried by the Team guys at that time� when it wasn�t widely available to other units. But if it is real, then neither of the two guys in the story are in that picture, because neither of the men in the story are listed in the SEAL Database. They couldn�t be in a real photograph of Team guys from the Vietnam War since they are not now, and never have been Navy SEALs..  The picture of the guy in BRAND NEW STORE BOUGHT VN TIGER STRIPES with all the patches is just that� a guy wearing VN cammy and patches. He�s got a SEAL Team ONE patch and a couple of variants of the patch now used by the SPECIAL OPERATIONS ASSOCIATION (The skull with the green beret above a banner, with anchor flukes below). ALL of those patches are NEW, and can be purchased by virtually anyone online without any need for supporting documentation.  If the guy in the photograph wearing the tiger stripes and patches is either BOB MARVIN or PAT CALLAHAN, then he most certainly is NOT a US Navy SEAL or UDT �Frogman�  I�m copying RD Russell at the Naval Special Warfare Archives so he can have a heads up regarding these two claimants, and be aware that both are apparently claiming to be in that photograph from the war. As I said, since neither man is listed in the SEAL Database, then if the photo really does show SEALs, then it certainly isn�t THEM.  Steve Robinson RM2(SEAL)  UDT-SEAL Association - Member  CyberSEALs.org - Webmaster  Author - "NO GUTS, NO GLORY - Unmasking Navy SEAL Imposters" Rio, That is total Bullshit!!  Chip Maury took that photo using a time delay. See the whole picture here.    http://www.navyfrogmen.com/CombatPhotographer.html Chip is standing on the right with glasses, kneeling in front of Chip is Barry Enoch, right behind Enoch with the black face flashing the V is David "Willie" Wilson, standing second from the left is Scotty  Lyon the Platoon officer. They had just captured a VC flag.  Not To long after this pic Williams was killed by a booby trap and a year later Enoch was awarded the Navy Cross. RD Russell, UDT SEAL Archieves            ANOTHER SEAL WANNABE STORY Doc Riojas,  I have been wanting to tell you this sea story for years.. I always had the highest respect for SEALs, those "want a be assholes" who buy the SEAL trident an then wear it, really piss me off.  So, when a GMG1 that I had known for many years, reported on board wearing a SEAL �trident, I gave him a chance to take it off, while I double checked his service record. I was adding him to my boat crew at a rear .50 gunner,, down in Panama, was doing�a Kindle Liberty exercise, I was Patrol officer as a very senior CPO. We were using �PBRs an Mini ATCs�we had shipped down there by C 141s.�  Then at the second muster, he was still wearing the SEAL trident, an sweating about my hard �stares. I called him out front and ripped the trident off his whites, my crew was not surprised, as several of them were qualified, experienced SEALs, but junior POs.  The dumbass was like a whipped puppy after that, actually I think him faking being a SEAL cost him Chief. He never made it an had to retire early, did not bother me a bit.  About an our Senior Chief SEAL instructor Orlin "Nelly" Nelson�bought me a beer for that.  Take care, still doing IKE clean up,    Doug Traylor ENC USN ret. �