I-Team: It Takes a Real SEAL to Track Down the Fakes

WOODSTOCK, Ga. - You don’t have to be a military veteran to be bothered by the thought of someone posing as a Navy SEAL.

But when you’re a retired member of that elite fighting group, aggravation can lead to motivation – and to spending the rest of your life outing the fakes.

Retired Navy senior chief petty officer Don Shipley spent nearly 20 years as a Navy SEAL. Around 2008, he says he found a new calling in retirement: catching people who pretend to be a SEAL. And he says our state holds a dubious place of honor.

“Georgia is the Number 1 state in this nation for imposters," he said. "SEAL imposters.”

“Why do we rate so high?" I asked. "Or maybe, so low?"

"I really don’t have any idea.”

Maybe it’s our many military installations. Maybe it’s our climate, he said. All Don Shipley knows is Georgians seem to show up more than any other fakes from the thousands of tips that pour into his home office in Maryland.

People like Bob McDaniel of Cobb County. In October, McDaniel walked into the Semper Fi Bar and Grille in Woodstook to celebrate the Navy’s birthday. He wore the uniform of a rear admiral with a chest full of medals. The restaurant posted pictures on their Facebook page, including a video of him giving a toast.

Trouble is, the military said McDaniel never served in the Navy. Or fought with Delta Force. Or flew combat missions for the Marine Corps in Vietnam. Yet that's what he tells people who pay for his self-defense classes taught all over metro Atlanta.

According to the military, McDaniel only spent six years in the Marine Corps reserve, never saw combat and finished as an E-5 sergeant.

Add one more to Shipley's list of fakes.

The Maryland native joined the Navy in 1978, eventually graduating from SEAL training in 1985. The prestigious unit – designed to fight on Sea, Air or Land – started during World War II.

Shipley, 58, retired in 2003 after serving with SEAL Team 1 and SEAL Team 2 on missions around the world. He also spent years teaching Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S).

He says after a fake Marine fooled him years ago, he decided to turn the tables. With the help of a private database of all SEAL graduates, Shipley said he and his wife Diane catch an average of a dozen posers each day. He even started a YouTube channel where he posted his phone confrontations, creating the Phony Navy SEAL of the Week.

Now 58, Shipley’s so popular -- with so many verification requests pouring in -- he set up Videos Extreme SEAL Experience. He now charges $20 per search, free if you become a paying member of his website where you get access to all his videos and read about the biggest scammers.

He doesn’t just expose fake SEALs. Anyone lying about their military record is fair game.

He says he’s outed law enforcement officers who lied about their military heroics. World War II vets. He’s even spotted Civil War fakes who bragged in old newspapers.

But these days – instead of outing people over the phone or in his blog -- Shipley likes paying a personal visit.

Remember Bob the pretend Navy rear admiral and phony SEAL? Here’s what Shipley said to Bob McDaniel about the medals he was wearing in those pictures last month.

“First of all…” said McDaniel. “I can’t explain it right now.” He walked away. A few days later, McDaniel returned a call from the FOX 5 I-Team and admitted that he had lied about his military past. He maintained it was not "Stolen Valor," a federal law that makes it a crime for someone to fake their military credentials to get "any tangible benefit."

"I hope I don't have to seek legal counsel," said McDaniel. "I didn't break any laws." He could offer no reason why he created such dramatic stories. He said he wore the Navy admiral uniform to honor his late father, even though his dad wasn't an admiral either.

"It is absolutely my fault," he said about his long list of false claims. "I will never, ever do anything like that again. I'm so embarrassed. I never tried to steal valor. I never tried to do anything like that."

What brought Shipley to Georgia was that picture on the restaurant Facebook page. An excited North Forsyth high school Navy sea cadet stood beaming next to Bob McDaniel.

We both stood there watching Bob McDaniel drive away, finally confronted with the truth. Shipley raised his left hand to his forehead.

“We’ll give him the left-handed salute,” Shipley said with a laugh. “That’s all he rates.”

[robertmcceney]

Just remember, if you are ever lost, just say you were a Navy SEAL, and Don Shipley will find you.

[johnmoorhousedecorated-nam]

9, 000 + claiming to be SEALS can you imagine how many out there claiming to be just Veterans

[jimdavis]

My son-in-law is a combat Marine who came home after two tours in Iraq with numerous physical ailments and serious PTSD. Like most who served, he's extremely reserved about what he did and what he saw. His sacrifice, which he made willingly, makes me despise these fakers.

[christianmichaels]

If you see a dude Claiming Coast Guard, he's probably the real deal 🤣.

[abrahamfroman]

From the beginning of our war in Vietnam in the early 60’s until we left in 1975, about 500 Navy SEALs served in country. And I’ve met all 2, 000 of them

[Scratchingforcash]

Mr. Don Shipley is a National Treasure. Protect him at all costs. Thank you Don.

[adstaton]

I am a veteran and I won't even use the veteran reserved parking spaces at Lowe's. These people!

[TheDCinSC]

"This is Don Shipley. . . ." The four most terrifying words a fake SEAL can hear.

[aboveaveragedadgaming]

Shipley is the man! His videos are the best. Much respect for what he did and what he does now.

[davidreyez]

I was never in the military yet I love what this man does.. Thank you to all who served

[ryanyoung]

As an ex navy seal, SAS, delta force, green beret and former king of the nation of Swaziland I'm very offended by these posers.

[.SuperDutyDriver]

Anyone who's ever been in the USMC Reserves (or Army, Air Force, Navy, National Guard units too) should be extremely proud of their service. No reason at all to embellish. You signed up, good on you!

[usmgreen]

YouTube kicked him off his channel for hurting the phonies feelings

[Ebolacrash]

The last thing these cowards want to hear on the phone is " This is Don Shipley Bro"

[johnstark]

Great job Don! Especially appreciate you stepping up to help a young sailor as a mentor!

[michaelfireoved]

Don is a true bad ass, and so is his son. His son recently retired from the navy after a 20 year career in the seal teams. Many of those years were served at team 6

[dougcraft]

Hi Don. I was in the Sea Bees. '66 - 69. I hope this experience has not shaved years off your life but added to it. You are doing us a gret service. Thank you so much.

[dzl]

I didn't risk my life for 25 years as a door gunner on the space shuttle during the moon wars to allow people to steal valor back here on earth.

[phillipmaasdorp]

As a former military senior NCO myself I appreciate men like Don Shipley. And applaud the work he is doing.

[jamesfranklin]

Shipley is the real deal. I'm former navy, tried out for the seals, but, didn't have the swimming skills needed. But, I love those tough, dedicated individuals who made it!