EAST COUNTY — Congressional candidate James Kimber wore a U.S. Navy SEAL Trident for more than a year despite never completing training for the elite force to earn the prestigious designation.
http://media.utsandiego.com/img/phot...c8bbae7a2ee918
James Kimber
Kimber said Tuesday he is truly remorseful for the episode that stained his military career but did not end it.
“It was more than 20 years ago and it was a horribly embarrassing and stupid thing to do,” he told U-T San Diego, which has pictures of Kimber wearing the Trident. “Fortunately, I was able to finish my Navy career.”
Kimber, a Democrat, is running against three-term incumbent Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, in the predominantly Republican 50th Congressional District representing much of East County, Escondido and Temecula in southern Riverside County.
“I knew when I decided to run that this might come up, and said to myself that I would answer it if it did,” Kimber said.
Hunter, a former U.S. Marine who served combat assignments in Iraq and Afghanistan, said the matter is unfortunate.
“He served his country for 20 years and that is worthy of appreciation,” he said.
Kimber said he entered SEAL training in Coronado in 1990 as a medical corpsman but was removed from the program after injuring his back during an obstacle course exercise. He remained at the base for several months, and was eventually assigned to the guided-missile frigate Reid.
It was aboard the Reid, he said, where he was called out for wearing the Trident by the ship’s captain, hauled before crew members and admonished and reprimanded. He was age 32 at the time.
“I know this is a big thing and I am very sorry,” said Kimber, who now works as a physician’s assistant. “I knew what I was doing, and it was a terrible mistake that I hope doesn’t negate everything else I have done in my life and what I am doing now.”
Despite the misstep, the first-time candidate said he rose to the rank of senior chief when he finished his 20-year Navy career in 2002.
His campaign website lists his Navy awards as including the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal along with several letters of commendation.
The Trident is issued to officers and enlisted service members who have completed SEAL training. It’s a highly recognizable insignia within the military that includes a golden eagle holding a Navy anchor, a trident and a flintlock-style pistol.
