Dave Canterbury - Pathfinder - Claims debunked

[ryantx23]

Take this for what it's worth.... I don't know much about Dave Canterbury, but if you've watched some of his Youtube videos, he seems to know his shit. Whether or not he was SF, Ranger, GB, Delta Force or whatever is a whole other topic. I'm not saying I support people who claim to be something their not because I don't. However, we've all seen stories like this and I suggest that you all not jump to conclusions and write the show or any of the Pathfinder school / Dave Canterbury stuff as BS. The guy seems to be pretty good and bushcraft , warfare, survival skills are not just limited to special forces types. Keep an open mind and try to learn stuff everywhere you go, from everyone you meet and from everything you see. A while back, there was a similar topic up for discussion about Bear Grylls. The claim was that Bear slept in a hotel at night with his film crew. That may be the case, but Man Vs. Wild was not meant to be a show about Bear toughing it in the woods like Survivorman, it was quite the opposite. Bear Grylls teaches survival methods to keep you alive, not to prove he can stay alive in the jungle for a week with no food, water or anything else. Bear is a tough, smart guy. He's a former British SAS guy, broke his back in a parachuting accident and one year after that became the youngest Brit to ever summit Mount Everest. That says something if you ask me. I'm off my soap box now, and I hope you guys will at least keep an open mind. For the record, I think the new case law on stolen valor SUCKS! People that violate that should be prosecuted, whether they have something useful to teach others or not....

[Rednekdaddy]

Take this for what it's worth.... I don't know much about Dave Canterbury, but if you've watched some of his Youtube videos, he seems to know his shit. Whether or not he was SF, Ranger, GB, Delta Force or whatever is a whole other topic. I'm not saying I support people who claim to be something their not because I don't. However, we've all seen stories like this and I suggest that you all not jump to conclusions and write the show or any of the Pathfinder school / Dave Canterbury stuff as BS. The guy seems to be pretty good and bushcraft , warfare, survival skills are not just limited to special forces types. Keep an open mind and try to learn stuff everywhere you go, from everyone you meet and from everything you see. A while back, there was a similar topic up for discussion about Bear Grylls. The claim was that Bear slept in a hotel at night with his film crew. That may be the case, but Man Vs. Wild was not meant to be a show about Bear toughing it in the woods like Survivorman, it was quite the opposite. Bear Grylls teaches survival methods to keep you alive, not to prove he can stay alive in the jungle for a week with no food, water or anything else. Bear is a tough, smart guy. He's a former British SAS guy, broke his back in a parachuting accident and one year after that became the youngest Brit to ever summit Mount Everest. That says something if you ask me. I'm off my soap box now, and I hope you guys will at least keep an open mind. For the record, I think the new case law on stolen valor SUCKS! People that violate that should be prosecuted, whether they have something useful to teach others or not....

Don't want to start anything but, by watching his show and vid's on the internet you are supporting his actions! In other words you are saying that is OK to do what he has done. But that is just my opinion!

[ryantx23]

Don't want to start anything but, by watching his show and vid's on the internet you are supporting his actions! In other words you are saying that is OK to do what he has done. But that is just my opinion!

I haven't watched his show. In fact, I don't even have cable right now. I have watched a couple of his bushpack videos on youtube, but that's it. I'm not taking up for the guy but rather keep your eyes and ears open and learn everything you can. Good information is valuable and can come from many sources.... For the record though: It disgusts me when people try to claim to be something their not. Especially when it involves SF types with the military (IE: Ranger, SEAL, etc). I think those that violate the Stolen Valor act should be thrown under the jail.

[Snow Walker]

There are alot of people out there who lie and/or exaggerate about there military experience and it p***** me off! If this is true about him I have him beat by a mile!

A few years ago I ran into a guy claiming to be a sniper when we were camping. I didn't want to let on about doubting him to avoid any issues, but by asking some general military questions any soldier would know like in regards to land navigation and basic questions I new he was full of it.

I served for about 10 years and some of that was in the Middle East. The military does create a great skill base, but being someone who was raised in the outdoors makes this even more of an advantage.
Then once you get pass the military and the way you were raised there is still a ton of things to learn.

I have always wondered about Dave and this just confirms my suspicions.

Thanks for sharing...VERY INTERESTING!

[PT945]

Well ain't that just messed up. Sucks cause I thought he had a lot of knowledge .too bad he had to BS about his military history. Kind of makes me think a lots less of him now.

[TennOutdoors]

Found this interesting just passing it along

http://bushcraftusa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17461&highlight=dave

I want to put this Dave Canterbury (aka "The Pathfinder") issue to bed. He was asked to leave, by ME. He had violated the advertising and self-promotion rule numerous times, but had several chances, which others have not received, as I am sure they will attest to. Canterbury decided to call it politics when I informed him that he needed to make the 100 post minimum like everyone else. Part of his response was "I am not some unknown knife maker brother." I am not a knife maker, but that is pretty insulting to me. He felt he was above the rules, because he is "The Pathfinder." He's not.

I knew he had falsified his military experience, and as a combat veteran, and disabled at that, I take a dim view of folks lying about their service, and disparaging the people who have actually giving their time, blood and sometimes their lives, to the service of their country. It does not matter if you served in combat, peace time, are disabled or not. If you served, then you served, and I respect you…as long as you do not compromise your integrity in telling about your service.

Here are the facts about David Michael Canterbury. He has had a couple of aliases, but we will use the name on his military records. I have acquired a copy of his military records, through the POW Network, via the Freedom of Information Act.

Claims by Mr. Canterbury, from his own words on this site, as well his biography on Discovery and his personal site (some of these items disappeared the last week of June 2010). His claims are in bold, followed by the facts as presented in his official military records.

1. Over 20 years of Combined Military and Civilian Survival: No survival training annotated in military records.
2. US Military Veteran 1981-1988: Dates of Service: 12/03/1981 to 11/25/1987. That is just under 6 years, not 7.
3. Airborne: FALSE
4. Sniper: Not US Army Sniper. He DID attend a local 4th ID Sniper/Counter-Sniper Class (2 wks - 1986).
5. Scout: FALSE. He only attended the Law Enforcement 95B Course. He was an MP ONLY, not a 19D Scout.
6. SRT Member: He did attend the local 4th ID Course (2 wks – 1986), but there is no record of him being on SRT, per his Assignment Record.
7. SRT Coordinator and Instructor: He could have been a coordinator, but until doctrine changed in 1993 (after he was out), you had to be an E-6 (SSG) in order to be an instructor. Canterbury never attained this rank.
8. Joint Service Operations in Central America 1986-87 (Honduras/Nicaragua): NO RECORD
9. Performed Security Escorts for Military Equipment in Korea for Specialized Equipment to Forward areas near the DMZ between North and South Korea 1983-85: According to his military record, while stationed in South Korea, he was an “ID Badge Clerk.”
10. Squad Leader 4th ID 1982-1983: Not unless they make Privates squad leaders.
11. Ranger: FALSE
12. Instructor in Close Quarters Combat in US, Central America and Korea: See #7 & #8.

Military Decorations and Awards:
1. Army Service Ribbon (For completing AIT) (x1)
2. Army Good Conduct Ribbon (x1)
3. Overseas Service Ribbon (x1)
4. Army Achievement Medal (x2)
5. Expert Badge with bars: auto rifle, pistol & hand grenade
6. Driver’s Badge

I disparage no one from being a success. I love success stories! I do however, abhor someone with no integrity, and refuse to hold them in high esteem, regardless of their accomplishments, especially when those accomplishments were achieved through lies and deceit, and at the expense of good people.

This is not a board for Dave Canterbury. This is a board for bushcraft, and although we may experience mission creep, it is still about the outdoors, and the honor and integrity of ALL of US.

and where is the proof. dont get me wrong, I dont particularly care for the dual survivor show. and had never heard of Dave till a month or so ago.

but a Copy of his DD 214 or excerpts from his service record would go a long way to proving the claims of the writer. who also claims to be a vet, and pushes the disabled vet button. which immediately makes me wonder why it was neccessary to mention that aside from getting the readers to to believe his version of things vs the "Lying Dishonorable scum"

so before every one just leaps on the Daves a slime bag wagon, wait for actual proof not some guys unsubstatiated accusations.

[PT945]

and where is the proof. dont get me wrong, I dont particularly care for the dual survivor show. and had never heard of Dave till a month or so ago.

but a Copy of his DD 214 or excerpts from his service record would go a long way to proving the claims of the writer. 0who also claims to be a vet, and pushes the disabled vet button. which immediately makes me wonder why it was neccessary to mention that aside from getting the readers to to believe his version of things vs the "Lying Dishonorable scum"

so before every one just leaps on the Daves a slime bag wagon, wait for actual proof not some guys unsubstatiated accusations.

THE OP said where his source came from, maybe you can look into that, and see what you come up with. I didn't bother looking for two reasons, one when someone wants something they will say or do anything to get to the top of the list. Lying about your service isn't uncommon if there are hundreds even thousands of people that lie about there valor what makes Canterbury any different , and two if you post something and have a source posted were that info came from and your just stating what it says then its good enough for me because if I'm in doubt I can go and research it myself.

[TennOutdoors]

I should have been clear I guess. I was referring to the writer that the OP sourced. not the OP. so please dont take that as a criticism of the OP it wasnt.

[PT945]

I should have been clear I guess. I was referring to the writer that the OP sourced. not the OP. so please dont take that as a criticism of the OP it wasnt.

Lol OK got ya.

[Omegaman]

There are some service people who exaggerate their skills, training deployments and rank. I use to see it all the time when I was working in Norfolk VA. On the weekend you would see at least one sailor in a bar trying to loosen up one of the local hotties with the line that “I am a Navy Seal but don't tell anyone because I am in a top secret unit.” While I worked around Fort Bragg NC. Some of the soldiers around there would claim to be Green Berets. These were young guys trying to get a little loving and at some point their luck would run out and a true Seal or Green Beret would call them out. The problem I have is that these TV shows put these people in the public eye and they use their past military record to give credibility to the show. When their military record is false or exaggerated it insults everyone but most of all it insults the people who have paid the highest dues to truly achieve what the imposter claims to have achieved. This is an on going problem, recently a very famous knife designer was called out on the fact that he claimed to be an ex Navy Seal and this fact was heavily used to promote his product and school. It turns out he was never a Seal. I think there should be some sort of RICO type act that would take the money that people make using falsified military records or claims and put this money in a scholarship for children who’s parent was killed in the line of duty .

[PT945]

@Omegaman, well said, and a great idea for misappropriated money.

[Skyowl's Wife]

I think there should be some sort of RICO type act that would take the money that people make using falsified military records or claims and put this money in a scholarship for children who’s parent was killed in the line of duty .

See the Stolen Valor Act - a good idea that has now been, by the 9th Circus Court been ruled unconstitutional, it's apparently, to them, okay to lie about your service.

They are as scummy as those who lie.

[Echo2]

kinda like throwing up just a little......still makes your breath smell the same as a lot.

[PT945]

kinda like throwing up just a little......still makes your breath smell the same as a lot.

Lmao that's a good one. I gotta remember that.

[J40SW]

Oh WTF!!! I used to like that guy on dual survival!!! Is Cody Lundin really even a hippie??? What next?!?! Well even if Dave is a liar I still like Cody so, I won't give up on there show just yet. Thanks for the info, Diesel!