Kenneth Woerheide – US Navy SEAL, Parachute Qualified, Blog of Shame

militaryphonies

7 years ago

BACKGROUND

Kenneth Miles Woerheide comes to us from Carrollton, Virginia. Woerheide is 64 years old as of June 2019.

*Ken Woerheide – Facebook – Bathroom Selfie*

*Ken Woerheide – Facebook – Bathroom Selfie – Clean-shaven*

This case is interesting because it may hold the record for the longest amount of time to put the case completely together.

It seems that Ken Woerheide was in the Boiler Tech rating. He was stationed aboard the USS Blandy (DD-943) back in 1980-1982. Ken wore a Navy SEAL Trident which obviously drew attention.

Ken was eventually called out for it and ended up listed in an older effort to keep track of SEAL imposters in what was called “SEAL Wannabes by Watchlords” which in turn came from an older effort called “VeriSEAL.” The list is still around but has not been updated.

DISCLAIMER: From what we understand, the above list was kept by the SEAL-Frogman community and we don’t know what the criteria was for getting on the list. For instance, if proof was required or it was just word of mouth.

There was suspicion that Woerheide kept up the SEAL claim but was merely careful doing it around any SEALs.

But, after many years and a career in the Navy, a photo surfaced. It was placed as a profile picture on Ken’s girlfriend’s page.

*Facebook – Girlfriend’s Facebook profile*

*Facebook post by Girlfriend – Ken identified as one on the right*

The larger version of the photo is shown below. Ken Woerheide is on the right side of the photo.

Woerheide is clearly wearing a Navy SEAL Trident along with a US Navy & Marine Corps Parachute Insignia.

This was photographic evidence that Woerheide kept up with the SEAL claim long after he was called out by SEALs.

Woerheide was approach on Facebook via Private Messaging (PM) by a sailor that knew him on the USS Blandy. That sailor eventually went on to complete BUD/S training and become a SEAL.

*Facebook PM Exchange with Ken Woerheide*

Woerheide denied that he was ever in the US Navy. It was confirmed that it was him, however. This Facebook account links to his girlfriend, who posted the photo of Woerheide in his Khakis.

Here are other photos of Ken Woerheide through the years… observe that there are no SEAL Tridents visible. (Note: His name was spelled incorrectly in the 1975-76 cruise book)

. . . . .

ACTIONS CONDUCTED BY MILITARY PHONIES

After contacting the UDT/SEAL archives and checking the UDT/SEAL database we found that there is NO record of “Kenneth Miles Woerheide” ever completing BUD/S Training.

Ken Woerheide’s military records were ordered through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

FOIA RESULTS

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE MANPOWER DATA CENTER (DoDMDC/SCRA)

NATIONAL PERSONNEL RECORDS CENTER (NPRC) – [SELECTED]

*FOIA Results – NPRC – Summary Sheet – Ken Woerheide*

*FOIA Results – NPRC – Assignments (1972-1986) – Ken Woerheide*

*FOIA Results – NPRC – Assignments (1986-1990) – Ken Woerheide*

*FOIA Results – NPRC – Education & Training – Ken Woerheide*

*FOIA Results – NPRC – Awards & Decorations – Ken Woerheide*

NATIONAL PERSONNEL RECORDS CENTER (NPRC) – [COMPLETE]

. . . . .

DISCUSSION and SUMMARY

The results were confusing. Ken Woerheide had a SEAL Trident listed in his official military records but he has no record of going to BUD/S and no assignment with a SEAL Team over his career. There is also no listing of a SEAL NEC in his records.

If Woerheide had been a SEAL, the NEC would have been listed in his records along with how long he held that NEC.

A SEAL that works with Military Phony pointed out that it is never listed as “SEAL TRIDENT INSIGNIA” but this is how the archive tech transcribed it.

The SEAL pointed out that if there is an official entry, it would be recorded in a different manner. We could not determine whether this list of awards was transcribed from a DD-214 or another entry in the record.

So, we contacted SOCOM and sent them a FOIA request as well…

*FOIA Result – SOCOM – Cover Letter pg1 – Ken Woerheide*

*FOIA Result – SOCOM – Cover Letter pg2 – Ken Woerheide*

So, all credible sources state that Ken Woerheide was not a Navy SEAL and did not complete BUD/S training.

The important and mysterious question remains – How did the SEAL Trident insignia get entered into his official records?

Putting that question aside for a second, Ken Woerheide did not have a US Navy & Marine Corps Parachute badge listed in his records nor did he have parachute training listed. Why would the US Navy send a Boiler Tech to school to be qualified in parachuting anyway?

STOLEN VALOR

If the SEAL and Parachutist claims by Kenneth Woerheide were used to leverage work, military or civilian promotions, or anything else of value, Woerheide may be in violation of Stolen Valor laws. State laws may also apply.

Woerheide is retired from the US Navy and some would argue that he is still under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). There have been instances of court martials.

. . . . .