Jake Barber
Do you think saying “Jake Barber is a liar and a fraud” would get me banned for hate speech in this community, just like it did in r/ufos? I prefer to engage in constructive discussions, and I’ve never insulted anyone—it’s just that I can’t believe anything Barber says.
For starters, he has misrepresented his military service. This is something that can be verified; his DD-214 tells the truth. Combat Controllers don’t receive cover AFSCs on their paperwork—they’re listed as Combat Controllers.
Furthermore, he has claimed to have extensive combat experience in both Bosnia and Iraq. While I wasn’t deployed during Bosnia, I served after 9/11, and I know for a fact that his accounts of combat in Iraq are misleading. At that time, NATO was primarily enforcing a no-fly zone. There were a few air-to-air engagements, but ground combat was not a reality.
I can’t help but wonder why no one from the Combat Control community has come forward to support Barber’s claims. Where are his former teammates? You’d expect someone to say, “I served with Barber on Task Force Ripper in Bosnia; he was a terrible snorer” or something along those lines. Instead, it’s crickets. He may be “vouched for” by other individuals claiming to be ex-Special Ops, but where’s the testimony from someone who served with him on a regular patrol?
Additionally, Barber asserts that he helped liberate Kuwait in 1994. While there can be some debate about the exact timing of the liberation, in military terms, campaigns have clear start and end dates. An active-duty service member claiming to have aided in the liberation of Kuwait outside the context of Desert Storm or Desert Shield would certainly raise suspicions of dishonesty.
To be fair, I’m only stating that his military service claims are objectively false. He might be truthful about everything else, and I’m open to the idea that UAPs could be more significant than we realize—after all, consciousness plays a role in everything. But I also value the truth and must be cautious about red flags, especially when it comes to blatant fabrications regarding one’s military service.
I understand your frustration and the importance of honesty, especially when it comes to military service. It’s crucial to have credibility when discussing topics that genuinely matter to people. While it’s essential to express your opinions, I’d suggest framing your arguments around the facts and evidence rather than making personal attacks. This way, you can maintain a more constructive conversation. Perhaps focus on specific discrepancies you see in his claims and ask for clarification or evidence. Engaging with the community on those grounds might lead to a more productive dialogue without risking claims of hate speech. And who knows, maybe someone else will have more insight or information that can shed light on the situation.