Has Ben Carson admitted to stolen valor?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 13:00:25 -0500

Ben Carson’s campaign on Friday admitted, in a response to an inquiry from POLITICO, that a central point in his inspirational personal story was fabricated: his application and acceptance into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/ben-carson-west-point-215598#ixzz3qjeb8IC9

Has Ben Carson committed stolen valor? How will this admission affect his campaign?

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Nov 6 at 2015 1:01 PM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 13:01:00 -0500

Will this sink his campaign?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2015 1:03 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 13:03:46 -0500

That can't be good for his campaign, or at least I wouldn't think.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2015 1:07 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 13:07:58 -0500

Really, that sucks. (-10) influence points to Ben Carson

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2015 1:11 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 13:11:31 -0500

STOLEN VALOR? .... hmmm.....

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Nov 6 at 2015 1:14 PM

PVT Robert Gresham — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 13:14:42 -0500

CH (MAJ) William Beaver Absolutely Stolen Valor !! Trying to get something by falsifying the facts about your involvement with the US Military system? This matter, along with his "youthful indiscretions", trying to stab a family member, and going after his mother with a hammer, tend to indicate a person who is perhaps not as stable as he would have us believe. Dr. Carson's work as a surgeon may qualify him for the post of Surgeon General......but his now TOTAL lack of Military experience leaves me questioning his suitability to be our Commander-in-Chief.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Nov 6 at 2015 2:54 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 14:54:16 -0500

The spin his campaign is putting out, is only putting off some who would've voted for him. At the same time, while I think this is complete BS on his part, and an unessicary lie, there isn't a politician out there who is telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I wonder what Grumpy Cat has to say about this?

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Nov 6 at 2015 3:08 PM

LTC Trent Klug — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 15:08:17 -0500

Not defending Carson but ain't it amazing that all of a sudden the left care so much about Stolen Valor.

To me, the left will play this just like Abu Ghraib on the front pages of all the major media outlets. His campaign is dead.

For the record I wasn't a supporter.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2015 3:39 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 15:39:17 -0500

Here is another take on this.

http://www.dailywire.com/news/960/no-ben-carson-didnt-lie-about-west-point-its-ben-shapiro?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content

I am not saying this is any more or less true then the lead story. But, to me it does make some sense.

No, Ben Carson Didn't Lie About West Point. It's Another Media Hit Job.

Never underestimate the capacity of the media to propagandize against Republicans. That’s the theme of this morning’s overwrought news coverage on Dr. Ben Carson’s supposed “lie” regarding a “scholarship” to West Point. The story began with Politico, which ran with the audacious headline, “Ben Carson admits fabricating West Point scholarship.” Even I was taken in by the headline – after all, that’s a pretty bold claim! Politico began thusly:

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2015 4:08 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 16:08:11 -0500

Valor? there is no "valor" by being associated with West Point.

Response by 1SG Nick Baker made Nov 6 at 2015 4:23 PM

1SG Nick Baker — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 16:23:10 -0500

I do not know. But, I do know not to trust the media. Many defend Obama, but not Carson. I wonder if a minority can be Republican president, like Dr. ML King, George W Carver, Fredrick Douglas, Booker T Washington, Colin Powell, ...? Not a word of negativity on Carson until he became a threat. Is Carson getting the same treatment running as Obama did? I think not.

Response by CAPT Tom Bersson made Nov 6 at 2015 5:19 PM

CAPT Tom Bersson — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 17:19:40 -0500

It's disappointing. I'm sure they will try to put a spin on it, but ethics and being able to stand up for your mistakes are traits that we need.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Nov 6 at 2015 6:09 PM

SSG Robert Webster — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 18:09:37 -0500

My question for all of the naysayers and Stolen Valor judges, up to this point - Have you been a JROTC Instructor? If not I would suggest that you research the appropriate regulations and do the research as Gabriel Malor in the article referenced by Capt Private RallyPoint Member did. Now take a look at AR 145-2 and the past advertising material from the USMA itself. Take a look at Chapter 5 of the regulation that I have cited where the Senior ROTC Scholarship and military academy appointment information is. Next place yourself in the position of that Instructor and try to explain to a teenager and their parents about the possibility of having their college education paid for. Then borrow, buy or obtain the book about Ben Carson and read for yourself what is stated in the book. Just because something is not in exact chronological order does not make a statement a lie or fabrication. For those of us that are getting up in the older age brackets, do you think that you will get every part of your own story correct in chronological order? I am quite positive that everything that Dr. Carson stated is correct, but not in the way that everyone makes it out to be. Now make your decision if this qualifies as a case of Stolen Valor, a lie, a fabrication, or something else. Sadly this will have an effect his campaign.

And for those of you that would question my outlook, please look at my profile. I was a JROTC Instructor for 3 years, while on Active Duty. I also assisted my students who qualified with making their scholarship and military academy requests. One item to note: Each JROTC unit that is an "Honor Unit with Distinction" may appoint up to 5 students to the Military Academies, however out of that significant pool of appointments only 20 will be accepted to the USMA in any given year. The other Military Academies have similar policies, except for the Coast Guard Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy. The Coast Guard Academy has neither a nomination or appointment requirement. The Merchant Marine Academy takes ONLY Congressional nominees or appointees.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Nov 6 at 2015 9:29 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 21:29:09 -0500

O_O

Well... At least he admits it, so he get's an "A"... For now...
Besides, he will probably be punished far worse than HRC...
Am I right??? LMAO!!!

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Nov 6 at 2015 10:18 PM

PO2 Peter Klein — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 22:18:37 -0500

Stolen stupidity!

Response by PO1 John Miller made Nov 7 at 2015 12:42 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 00:42:25 -0500

Firstly welcome back Chaps, it's been a while!

Secondly, yeah unfortunately for the good doctor it's Stolen Valor. But... at least he admits it and is trying to move on.

Response by SCPO Joshua I made Nov 7 at 2015 8:32 AM

SCPO Joshua I — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 08:32:04 -0500

Bottom line, the politico story you quote is a lie.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2015 12:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 12:35:55 -0500

he has no business running for president, American citizens need to wake up, he is a doctor with no political experience !!!

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2015 2:02 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 14:02:42 -0500

Well ... it turn out to be fabricated by politico ... Prime example of bias media again.

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Nov 8 at 2015 5:45 PM

MAJ Alvin B. — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 17:45:00 -0500

No, I do not believe he is. How has Valor been stolen. Is being accepted to West Point, any other Military Academy, or Officer pre-commissioning program in and of itself a valorous act? Personally, I do not think it is.

Response by MSgt John Carroll made Nov 8 at 2015 6:28 PM

MSgt John Carroll — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 18:28:57 -0500

This is NOT Stolen Valor. In fact, it isn't even close. If you think it is, read the definition of the law and then get back to me.

Response by MSgt Greg Webster made Nov 14 at 2015 1:39 AM

MSgt Greg Webster — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 01:39:51 -0500

This story is BS. If I had a dime for every time a civilian friend mentioned that he/she had a "Scholarship" to a military academy I would be rich. Civilians don't understand that although you attend tuition free, it's not a scholarship. I truly believe at his age back then, he believed he was getting a scholarship.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2015 12:43 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 12:43:39 -0500

No, if you confuse offer with admission, then yes, and if you keep believing the partisan Politico, then is yes in all the counts. I am quite certain that you are looking the other way when it comes to Hillary Confidential documents handling, which in my point of view are type of things we should be looking at presidential candidates.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Nov 16 at 2015 12:49 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 12:49:45 -0500

The article and especially it's initial and corrected titles are crafted to give the average American skimmer (someone who does not read the whole story) a false impression. Therefore they are personal attacks on Ben Carson loosely veiled as journalism.

Response by SPC Dave Crites made Nov 16 at 2015 2:02 PM

SPC Dave Crites — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 14:02:28 -0500

I'm pissed. Is there anything we can do about these wanna be solders. Trying to solicit money as VETS???

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2015 9:53 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 21:53:54 -0500

No, his campaign never admitted to any fabrication. There is literally no basis for the claim that they "admitted" any fabrication whatsoever.

Response by CPO Chris Kellar made Nov 20 at 2015 10:54 AM

CPO Chris Kellar — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 10:54:41 -0500

This needs to be removed, this is not a case of Stolen Valor... He never said he applied or was accepted to West Point.

Response by A1C Kyle Freeman made Jul 20 at 2017 6:58 PM

A1C Kyle Freeman — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 18:58:35 -0400

Why lie