I received a voice mail today from Sean McKnight stating he has a meeting setup with Ken Barber and some other individuals on the executive board of Illinois Joining Forces (IJF). I felt it was my duty to inform the group about some important facts that Mr. McKnight is very good at hiding. I met Mr. McKnight during my time at NIU. I just served my time as the NIU Veterans Club president and decided it was time to let someone else take the helm. Matthew Galloway the current Veterans Club president introduced the club to Sean McKnight at a veterans club meeting. Sean came in and presented himself as a seasoned veteran’s advocate who has many connections throughout the state of Illinois and Washington D.C. He promoted his organization that he was starting Warriors Guarding Warriors as a revolutionary concept that has not been thought of as for yet throughout the veteran community. Finally, he offered his services to any veterans having trouble with VA benefits or the medical process. At the time we did not know that he was not officially certified to help veterans, and nor did he actually know the proper process or paper work needed to help our fellow veterans. Sean offered to be the Veterans Clubs mentor. The club held a vote and …show more content…
decided to allow Mr. McKnight to be a mentor. I, however was skeptical and voiced my concerns stating that he sounds like he is selling utopian dreams and to be caution moving forward. The following bullet points are events and actions taken by Sean McKnight (everything stated below is verifiable by actual witnesses and police reports): 1) Mr. McKnight threaten a fellow veteran and student accusing this student of hacking his computer and erasing files. He would call and verbally threaten this student at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning. The student had to file a restraining order against Mr. McKnight that led to him being banned from NIU campus for a semester and no contact with the NIU Veterans Association. 2) Mr. McKnight started to represent multiple veterans including Lee Siemer with VA benefit and medical issues. He manipulates the veterans to sign power of attorney of to him and he completely invades their privacy. Worst of all he files all the paperwork wrong and claims to be an expert in this field. Mr. McKnight also states that he does not need to be certified as a VSO because he knows the system better than they do and it would be a waste of time. Currently every veteran that I know of refuses to work with Mr. McKnight and everyone of them said it was the worst mistakes of their lives. 3) Mr.
McKnight claims to have worked with the State Department in an unofficial capacity (whatever than means) after his service in the Army. His name started to get around town in the DeKalb/Sycamore area. As he started to push hard for special treatment and recognition as a veteran advocate, some of the local attorney has started asking questions. One of the attorneys asked to see a copy of his DD 214. Sean refused for weeks and when he finally presented a copy, it was a typewriter version with holes punched out in certain areas claiming they could not see that information due to his Top Secret security clearance. According to Mr. McKnight, he retired from the Army in 2004. Did the Army still use typewriter versions of DD 214’s
then? 4) When I was working for Senator Kirk, Mr. McKnight knew somebody who owned a refurbished 1942 World War II jeep. I was able to obtain this for Senator Kirk to ride in for the parades throughout the summer. The only stipulation was Sean had to drive the jeep. I figured there could be no harm in that happening since multiple staff members would be present. After being allowed to drive the jeep for Senator Kirk, Mr. McKnight started telling individuals that he was personal security detail for Senator Kirk and he works for the Senator. Furthermore, he claimed to have authority to represent veterans with medical or claim issues on behalf of Senator Kirk. He even went as far as presenting Letterhead documents with the Senators name on it for veterans to sign. When I found out about these events, I confirmed it with the veterans he was claiming to help and then I made sure he was never involved with anything pertaining to Senator Kirk. Thus far, he has not pulled that stunt any further. This is just a short list of facts regarding the character of Mr. McKnight. I figured this would provide the most accurate snap shot of the individual you are meeting with and the type of outcome you should expect. Mr. McKnight is a manipulative and cunning individual. He has already created enough damage in the veteran community and my recommendation would be to not work with him. If you have, any other questions or concerns feel free to contact me anytime.
In a letter by the Superintendent of the Organization of Kentucky Black Troops, he writes this to the General Adjutant General of the
As a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, preparing myself and rising to the challenge of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club induction sets the right example for my fellow NCO’s, especially the junior NCO’s that look at me as a Leader they aspire to be. Whether it is the NCO’s at my current station or NCO’s from my past Leadership positions, I always endeavor to set a positive example for them to keep moving forward and progressing in their careers. If I remain stagnant, and set the example of mediocrity and established entitlement, they will look to my example and think they have arrive. I aspire to be a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club for my Soldiers and fellow NCO’s, past, present, and
This bastion of ethical conduct Mr. Couch advocates, has listed the names of these current and active duty SEALs, their units, and where they are located in a public document with no regard for operational security, the security of the warriors named, their wives, their kids, extended families, nor for the irrevocable damage done to their character. Duane Dieter has plastered their names all over a public document open for all to see, including those wishing to do them harm. In the current state of threat and public view that SEALs unfortunately find themselves, this is nothing short of unethical. Mr. Couch is not only a poor judge of character, but the way he denigrates entire units and an entire generation of warfighters, despite his insistence to the contrary, is both insulting and unfounded in fact.
Earlier in March 2014 the senior leadership of the Air Force, to include the Secretary of the Air Force, the Chief of Staff, and the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, made a statement to all airmen. They stated that “being an Airman is more than a job, when we voluntarily raised our right hands and took an oath to support and defend the Constitution, we became members of the profession of arms”, they also said that along with our profession of arms we are given and accept a sacred trust given to us by the American people, that to be worthy of this trust we must “build our lives and shape our service on the foundation of our core values”, and that when Airmen fail to live up to our core values, the reputation of all who serve is tarnished” (letter to airman, Mar 2014). Recently, I was tasked to deliver a briefing for the J3 monthly training day. This tasking was a result of my negligence in updating a certain system that is vital to the J3 watch floor. My briefing, although filled with correct information and guidance, was also slaked with profanity and unprofessional gestures. Regardless of any circumstances that may have been the cause for these actions, the actions needed correction. Correction was given, which was responded to by more profanity and provoking actions. After I showed such disrespect to my non-commissioned officer in charge, he escorted me to my supervisor and my actions were made known to him. During this time I was still acting very contentious and disrespectful, making snide comments and standing with such contempt as if to say “are you done now”. This of course escalated into more serious action by my leadership which very well could have been avoided had I done my duty correctly in the first place. The...
Ineligible for American Legion membership, however, remain the many men and women who had answered our nation’s call while American military forces were not actively engaging an enemy of the United States. Serving with valor and distinction, these members of the armed forces have guarded America’s shores and protected the nation’s strategic assets at U.S. military bases across the world. They have been on the front lines of American efforts to mediate conflicts between warring factions in Europe, Asia and Africa. And they, too, have been prime targets for armed aggressors, terrorist attacks and saboteurs. The question is: have these veterans not earned the right to membership in the American Legion as well?
As a young Lance Corporal, my first impression of the NCO’s around the Recon Company was varied. As I got to know the others in my platoon, one started to stand out in my daily interactions, SSGT Moeller. He had just gotten off crutches, after a parachute accident broke his tibia and fibula, sitting on the catwalk icing his ankle. When I asked why he was icing his ankle he told me he had just finished an 8-mile run. Now, this was from an injury that should have caused months of painful rehab before running would have been possible, but here he was, sacrificing personal comforts, trying to get back to mission fitness. His reasoning being, he was scheduled to be the Assistant Team Leader (ATL) on the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit(MEU) and didn’t want to miss his chance for Afghanistan. It was at this moment that I got my
As our forefathers before us stated, ‘‘No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as “The Backbone of the Army (“The NCO Creed written by SFC Earle Brigham and Jimmie Jakes Sr”). These words to the Noncommissioned Officer should inspire us to the fullest with pride, honor, and integrity. The NCO creed should mean much more than just words whenever we attend an NCO’s school.
The Marine Corps Values exemplify Honor, Courage, and Commitment in a service member 's character. Honor details expectations of one’s ethical and moral conduct, Courage focuses on honor in action, and Commitment deals with total dedication to the Marine Corps and the country. If one fails to maintain the Marine Corps values they face disciplinary action and the possibility of a dishonorable discharge, depending on the nature of their actions. The honor values of the Marine Corps Values place one 's personal life, as well as their action in service, under scrutiny. Lieutenant Colonel Shane Tomko was dishonorably discharged and stripped of all Service Medals and Awards on February 12th, 2015 due to actions in his personal life. Lieutenant Tomko had an affair, which breaks the Honor Code’s clause that states “A U.S. Marine must never lie, never cheat, never steal. . . Each Marine must cling to an uncompromising code of personal integrity. . . And, above all, honor mandates that a Marine never sully the reputation of his Corps.” A spokesman for the Marine Corps, Major Dolan, made a statement that the actions taken against Lieutenant Tomko were “due to a loss of confidence in his leadership” (Marine Corps Times). The affair was seen as such a dishonor on the Marine Corps as a whole and on Lieutenant Tomko’s service as an individual that he was stripped of all of the accomplishments and
On February 21, 2016, I, Deputy John Arnold, went to 11747 West 105th Street South to assist another deputy in reference to a fight in progress.
"Veterans Affairs Head Robert McDonald Lied About Serving in Special Forces" - Katie Pavlich | Feb 24, 2015 Web: http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2015/02/24/new-va-head-lied-about-military-service-n1961369
The first part of this week’s assignment was to look was to interview a manager/leader that we admire and seek their insight on management. But before we discuss the interview let me introduce you to who I selected as my interview subject. Chief Master Sergeant Smith is the Chief Enlisted Manager of the 235th Operations Group, 15th Wing, Air Combat Command. The group consists of an HC-130 squadron, an HH-60 squadron, an operations support squadron, and a Guardian Angel squadron (paramedics that parachute into bad places). He is responsible for matters concerning the health, welfare, morale, professional development, utilization and combat readiness of more than 400 military and 50 civilian personnel. Additionally, he advises the commander on operational matters, enlisted issues, unit standards, planning, programming and mission readiness. Chief Master Sergeant Smith entered the Air Force in October 1993. After completing basic military training, he graduated from technical school as a Pararescueman in 1995. His assignments include bases in Japan, Kentucky, New Mexico and Georgia. He has also deployed numerous times in support o...
“Tout de suite Entrez!” She says, looking at the alley entrance, watching the dead soldiers, and then pointing at him to go in.
Before junior year, I got up at 5:45 a.m. and took the train and bus to school. Getting my driver's license meant more freedom, more independence, and sleeping in later. For my parents, my license meant a free taxi company for my 3 younger sisters, but I didn’t know that my license would mean getting closer to my sister Ella.
It's six o'clock. From down the hall, I hear my mother's footsteps approaching. The door opens.
Everything for a year had been leading up to this point and here I was in the middle of the happiest place on earth in tears because my friends had abandoned me in the middle of Disney on the senior trip.