John “Shrek” McPhee has been a frequent guest on The Joe Rogan Experience, and is a popular figure in military and tactical circles. A recent YouTube video exposed McPhee for misrepresenting his military service record through official Army documents obtained via Freedom of Information Act requests.
According to military records released by the US Army Human Resource Command, McPhee had his Special Forces tab revoked, his Green Beret stripped, and was reclassified from Special Forces (18Z) to regular infantry (11Z) in 2009 following a series of serious misconduct charges.
Despite these official actions, McPhee has continued to present himself publicly as a “retired US Army Special Operations Sergeant Major with over 20 years.” However, Army records show he actually retired as a Master Sergeant (E8), not a Sergeant Major (E9), and as an infantryman rather than Special Forces operator after losing his elite status.
The misconduct that led to his downfall included adultery with a fellow service member, DUI charges, and detainee abuse investigations. Military documents reveal disturbing details of DV incidents, including threatening victims with loaded weapons and physical assault. Perhaps most damaging was his removal from Delta Force due to “excessive abuse on detainees,” contradicting the Special Forces motto “to free the oppressed.”
The investigation also uncovered fabricated deployment stories. On a recent podcast, McPhee claimed he parachuted into an Iraqi minefield during Desert Storm in 1990. However, military records show he didn’t enlist until January 1991, and Desert Storm combat operations ended in February 1991 while he was still in basic training. His service record lacks the Southwest Asia Service Medal and Kuwait Liberation Medal typically awarded to Desert Storm veterans.
Special Forces Command’s official reprimand stated McPhee’s actions demonstrated “an absolute departure from the moral, ethical, and legal standards required of our most senior non-commissioned officers” and showed “utter lack of judgment and blatant disregard for these standards of conduct.”
The exposure has surprised through the military community, particularly given McPhee’s prominent media presence and influence on younger audiences.
