How do we know whether someone claiming to be a veteran is one, on a political talk show or web site?

Question

What can we do to determine whether they really are?

There have been recent several incidents, in many contexts, of people claiming to be veterans and being exposed as not having served.

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/09/marine_vafakers_070924/

Answer 1

You don't. The only thing you can do is take them at their word, to start.

I claim that I served, and yes I could talk on and on about the unit and location and people I served with, I could even post a copy of my DD214, pictures of me in uniform, etc, but even that can be photoshopped.

There's not much proof that can be offered anymore that cannot in some way be fudged.

This is why honesty and integrity are so important, when everything else can be faked.

Answer 2

Political talk shows and websites are not about Truth. If that's what you're looking for, then you're kind of sad. It's about viewpoint. The claim to veteran status is simply at attempt to lend credibility which is meaningless anyway.

Ask 5 lawyers for their viewpoint on an issue and you'll get 10 different answers. Remember the '4 out of 5 doctors surveyed' testimonials? Even among doctors, 20% had a different opinion but were still licensed to practice medicine.

I seem to remember John Kerry refusing to show his original DD-214 discharge, which made me distrustful of him. And he really was a veteran.

About the only way to determine a veteran is to show his DD-214 but again, it really doesn't matter. Many people who really are veterans didn't get discharged honorably.

Answer 3

It's really difficult. I just read a story about a guy who had served a couple non-combat years in the Army. He had purchased a Marine dress uniform and numerous medals and was a Marine Chaplain at a Marine recruiting center. No kidding.

Answer 4

Ask them what unit they served in and who their Commander was. Some of the other troops in his or her unit and where they were stationed. Any hesitation and BAM! instant phony.

Trust me, it will not take long to figure out if someone is a fake. I had one guy who told me he was a SEAL. So I asked him what Class he attended and who his torturers (instructors) were. He said that was secret. Secret? Yeah, then he said it's Confidential Top Secret.

Right. The guy was borderline obese.

Jerk-off.

I turned him in. Unfortunately, I don't know what happened.

Answer 5

Public records request through the National Military Archives

Answer 6

Let someone talk for a short time, and it usually becomes obvious that they have no clue what they are talking about.

I actually had someone tell me that they were a corporal - captain when they got out of the Army. I laughed hysterically because I had seen the episode of MASH that he got that from. It was my pleasure to expose him for the fraud that he was.

Answer 7

It doesn't even matter. How do we know any of the "experts" who show up are really experts? Any why is the person behind the mike qualified to offer up opinion and advise anyway?

Answer 8

Ask the person to show his/her DD214, what their MOS was, what was their rank, what division and
unit that they were in, what country were they stationed in, what was their primary weapon that
they used and click on http://www.military.com and go to some of the links for information on several branches of the military and equipment and weapon systems and also different jobs!!

Answer 9

There are vets and then there are VETS. Some avoided service altogether, as with Cheyney (deferments until too old) and those who fled to the National Guard. Jump over those who applied earlier and then guard against an invasion by the Mexican Army with an obsolete jet and learn your little non-regulation salute.

Answer 10

That would never bother me, A fake Doctor scares me! You see them getting caught every year on the News!!! How do you really know!