We initially started looking into Charles Kauffman a few years ago. It was hard to move forward with 18D showing in his records from NPRC. We did some extensive research and decided the proof was beyond doubt that he’s forged Government documents and/or had someone do it for him. We are confident in our findings and are calling him a fraud.
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We believe that sometime between 1984 and 1988, when transferring from active duty with 1/25 inf as a 31V radio systems operator to a reserve unit as a 91B , Charles Kauffman began to wear badges and tabs that he was not awarded including SF, Ranger, Airborne, and pathfinder. He then used evaluations and potentially falsified documents to update his official records. (That is our evaluation based on his official records).
He was reduced to SGT E5 from SFC E7 in NOV 1996 following integrity violations. He was able to reach E6 as a supply sergeant in 2004 before retiring in 2006. Utilizing a falsified DD214, he was able to continue service under government contractors and services until at least 2015. He is part of multiple forums and organizations claiming 18D5P, a non-existent MOS code
We looked into this because this man was forward deploying alongside SF, gained trusted positions in training SF, is known to have implausible claims deteriorating the view of actual SF in multiple communities, and his claims have the very real potential to get our soldiers injured or killed.
Special Forces, Ranger, Pathfinder, and Airborne started showing up in his NCOERS simultaneously in 89, with no precursor.
He does not have evaluations from 97 to 03. Last NCOER in 04 is as a SSG with promotion orders dated 2 Mar 04 as a supply sergeant. His reenlistment documents in 1990 show that his substantiating records used were his DD214 that was drafted the day prior. The only document stating his claims for the aviation badge, Airborne, Ranger, Pathfinder, and SF Long Tab, were a single bullet on an NCOER. He would have had to accomplish everything in just 2 months and 6 days from 85-90 while on active orders in the reserve. The only official quals he received in that period were Flight Medical Aidman in 88 and his reclass to 91B in 85 totaling 3 months and 2 days. The remaining 2 months and 6 days out of the 5 months and 8 days he was on active status were served drilling with no orders to attend any other school.
He had to have shown up to the reserve in 84/85 with either false documents and stories of where he came from while wearing the badges and tabs and had his 214 updated.
False DD214s are still very common as it only takes one person, usually a private to update the document. Kauffman, an E7 at the time, had no problem having his updated to reflect his uniform. Personnel offices in 1990 would have no way to verify the claim without formal investigation. Officially, while leaving active duty from 1/25 inf in 84, none of his additional qualifications existed in his records.
SSG (R) Charles Kauffman has many claims of grandeur since his enlistment in the army in 1979. I listed his claims as improbable. But, it is impossible to carry out a small fraction of his claims in the time frames that he claimed. The evaluation above is based off his records and Individual Unit data bases.
Verified using his Name/DOB/SSAN that Charles Kauffman did NOT complete SOCM, SFMS, SOFMSS, SOCMSSC, SFQC, or any legacy program associated with the basic Medical credentialing of a Special Forces Medical Sergeant (18D or its predecessor)
Positions potentially obtained through false claims
Nuphysicia
DynCorp International
MPRI- Military Professional Resources Inc Contractor
Combat Medic Instructor at AMERICAN SYSTEMS
Paramedic at North Cypress Medical Center—ER
Senior Flight Medic Instructor at American Systems
Mentor/member PTSD Foundation of America
1979 Enlisted as 31V under Airborne Contract follow on the 1/75 Ranger Battalion Did Not Complete
1980-1981
MOS: N/A
Unit: USAIC, IET
Rank: PVT-SPC-PFC UCMJ
IET Fort Benning Georgia extended due to UCMJ
1981- 1984
MOS: 31V2O
Unit: HHC 1/21 INF, 25ID, Schofield Barracks, HI Active
Rank: PFC-SGT 1 Aug 83
Notes: As of 24 AUG 1984: ARCOM x 1, AAM x 1, GCM x 1, ASR, OSR (HI), Expert badge (Rifle, Hand Grenade, M1911 pistol)
Total active service as of AUG 1984: 4 yrs 10 mos 27 days
Total inactive service as of AUG 1984: 0 yrs 1 mos 16 days
1984-1990
MOS: 91B3F
Unit: 273d Medical Detachment (Helo Amb), Texas Reserve
Rank: SGT 1 AUG 83 - SSG 6 Jun 87
Notes: 1988-1989 first claims of Airborne, Ranger, Pathfinder, Special Forces in documents (would all need to have been completed in 5 months and 8 days)
Total active service as of NOV 1990: 5 yrs 4 mos 6 days Admin Error in file
Total inactive service as of AUG 1990: 5 yrs 8 mos 8 days Admin Error in file
1990-1992
MOS: 91B4F
Unit: 3457th USAMEDTNGCEN
Rank: SFC 18 Sep 89
91A and 91B instructor
Utilized false DD214 as substantiating document for reenlistment
Claimed Special Forces Association Affiliation on NSQ (verified via the SFA he was never a member)
1992-1995
MOS: 91B4F
Unit: 273d MED DET
Rank: SFC 18 Sep 89
Unit Hoist Trainer, ANCOC
Total active service as of OCT 1994: 5 yrs 9 mos 11 days Admin Error in file
Total inactive service as of OCT 1994: 10 yrs 3 mos 5 days Admin Error in file
1995-1996
MOS: 31U4O
Unit: HHC, 36th Bde, 49th Armored Division
Rank: SFC 18 Sep 89, SGT 2 Nov 1996 Investigation for integrity violation
1997-2000
MOS: 91B2
Unit: 536th Support BN
Rank: SGT 2 Nov 1996
2000-2001
MOS: 91B2O
Unit: 302 MP CO DET 1 CBT
Rank: SGT 2 Nov 1996
Total active service as of AUG 2000: 5 yrs 9 mos 11 days Admin Error in file
Total inactive service as of AUG 2000: 17 yrs 0 mos UNK days Admin Error in file
2002
MOS: 91W2O
Unit: 451 CA BN DET, Reserve
Rank: SGT 2 Nov 1996
Failed to Qual as Civil Affairs
2003-2006
MOS: 91W2, 92Y3O
Unit: Madigan Army Med, 15th QM, 961st QM CO 319th CSB
Rank: SGT-SSG 5 Feb 2004
Commended for no injuries in OIF II (5 mos 18 Days), Non-combat related injury in Iraq
Total active service as of JAN 2006: 7 yrs 10 mos 15 days
Total inactive service as of JAN 2006: 18 yrs 5 mos 3 days
Retired 4 Jan 2006
SSG, 92Y3O
961 Combat Service Support
1. DD 214
a. Aircraft Crewman's Badge: Probable, graduated flight medical aidman jan 1988. DD214 problem, on February 29, 2000, the Department of the Army officially changed the name of the Aircraft Crewman Badge to the Army Aviation Badge.
b. Parachutist badge: False, No substantiating record
c. Pathfinder badge: False, No substantiating record
d. Special forces tab: False, No substantiating record. Not in database at the schoolhouse.
e. BSM W/V: No substantiating record, improbable
f. ARCOM 4th award: No substantiating record, UNK
g. AAM 3rd award: True
h. AGCM: True
i. NDSM: True
j. AFR: True
k. Expeditionary medal: No substantiating record, probable DEP OIF II
l. HSM: No substantiating record
m. NCOPD 3rd award: True
n. ASR: True
o. OSR 2nd award: True, HI station, Iraq OIF II
p. Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon: No substantiating record, probable
q. Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device: True, OIF II
r. Ranger Tab: False. No substantiating record
s. GWOT Expeditionary medal: True, Qualifying deployment to OIF II
t. Purple Heart: Possible ? Non-combat related injury in a combat zone 2004
2. Claims:
a. Rank: 1SG- False
b. Service stripes: 28 Years- False, Total active service as of JAN 2006: 7 yrs 10 mos 15 days, Total inactive service as of JAN 2006: 18 yrs 5 mos 3 days.Calculated Retirement at 10 years 1 month 25 days service
c. Combat service stripes: 4.5 Years – False 5 mos 18 days
d. DUI: 1st SFC DUI- False
e. Unit Awards: No substantiating record
f. SOCOM Unit deployment patch: False, No substantiating record
g. Combat medics badge: False, No substantiating record, did not combat deploy as medic
h. Blue infantry cord: False, Not authorized for wear IAW AR 670-1
i. Foreign Jump wings: False, No substantiating record
j. Service as an 18D: False, no record (Verified beyond doubt)
k. Silver Star: False, no record
l. Green Beret: False, no record (We verified via SF schoolhouse)
m. Member of SFA: False, no record (We verified via SFA)
n. Ribbons and awards totaling 23: No substantiating record, improbable
o. Ranger Regiment: False, no record
p. 1st SFG: False, no record
q. 1st SFC/USASFC: False, no record
r. SFOD-D: False, no record
s. MFF: False, no record
t. MFF JM: False, no record
u. CDQC: False, no record
v. SLJM: No substantiating record, improbable
w. Advanced Tactical Practitioner: False, no record
x. Paramedic: True
He agreed to send his fake swag back to the Green Beret Foundation. The GBF sent a picture of the stuff he sent and we added it at the end of the picture section.
Charles Kauffman, fake Green Beret, you'll now be added to the Guardians of the Green Beret Hall of fakes, Frauds, and Phonies, Top Ten.