Would you consider it appropriate to ask a civilian for their DD 214?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 18:17:31 -0500

I am currently on leave and have encountered numerous veterans who seemed to tell credible tales of their careers. Some have also given me suspicious stories of their past. IE: SF, ODA, RANGER, SEAL and the typical romanticized assignments. Of course, I have also run into a vast spectrum of individuals wearing either ACU items or esprit de corps clothing. Would it be appropriate to ask if they can present a valid DoD ID or DD 214? Per the Creed of the Non-Commisioned Officer, I am inclined to ensure we are not misrepresented or discredited nor would I tolerate someone falsifying their background to gain employment.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Jan 15 at 2014 6:22 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 18:22:45 -0500

Unless they are seeking gain from their "stolen valor", let it go. Half of them are the dregs of society already, just walk away.

If the guy is on the street corner or pandering for drinks at the VFW, no harm, no foul.

If the guy just snagged a $2000 speaking engagement for a local Non-profit using alleged military experience... by all means, ask for validation. If they can't or start posturing, walk away, you won.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2014 6:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 18:24:33 -0500

sure, I think so however dd 214 might be hard to show at the moment but if the individual has a VA Id or dod id of some kind, then you know that they are or should be telling the truth. It is a requirement to file a DD 214 at the VA to get in to the system.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2014 6:50 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 18:50:18 -0500

As an employer, I would ask for DD214 or other reasonable proof of service if they seek to be hired based on veterans preferance. With respect to stories of special forces unit membership or combat prowess told to secure the favors of a younger social acquaintance, I would tend to take their young acquaintance aside and tell them to wise up. The remaining posers can just burn in hell. They are worth neither your time or effort. They get what they deserve in the end.

Please enjoy your well earned leave. Don't let worthless people waste your time.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2014 11:13 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 23:13:17 -0500

If you want to know, keep them talking. Ask about awards for tours, who their rater was and other Admin things that are not at all cool or fun.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2014 12:23 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 00:23:55 -0500

I would rather call them a former enlisted or commissioned officer. But I have mine ready in case there is some specific and relevant need for it.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Jan 16 at 2014 12:49 AM

SSG Robert Burns — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 00:49:39 -0500

Only after the second date.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2014 10:00 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 22:00:16 -0500

I would just walk away then get into a confrontation with some dumb ass. It is not worth your time or effort when it is easier to just walk away. 

Response by LTC Jason Bartlett made Jan 16 at 2014 10:32 PM

LTC Jason Bartlett — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 22:32:23 -0500

Anyone claiming to be a veteran on the side of the road asking for money...I ask to see their DD214 before I pony up any cash. Had a guy in the metro ask for money, I asked what units he had served in. He picked a unit that i was in during the same period turns out he was never in the unit. I gave him some ketchup packets that I carry to hand out to con artist sent him on his way.

Response by SGT Tommy Silvas made Jan 17 at 2014 3:13 AM

SGT Tommy Silvas — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 03:13:57 -0500

when you come across someone telling one of these tall tales that seem like a bunch of b.s. do what I do, all you have to do is ask a few questions that only some one who is real can answer, then let them know that you know they are full of it and should be ashamed for dishonoring those who have given the ultimate sacrifice and then just walk away

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2014 6:28 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 18:28:32 -0500

Thank you all for the responses.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2014 7:10 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 19:10:47 -0500

I absolutely agree with this CPL Dobin. I especially feel the need to view a DD 214 involving homeless veterans asking for money. Its disgusting how many people truly abuse the armed service.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2014 10:25 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 22:25:17 -0400

I'm not sure it is altogether appropriate due to privacy issues to randomly ask someone to see their DD214. However there are resources such as Stolen Valor which can verify suspected phonies and fakers.

http://www.stolenvalor.com/

Also another great resource to check out is fakewarriors.org:

http://www.fakewarriors.org/

For those claiming high level medals such as MOH, Silver Star & Distinguished service cross/AF Cross/Navy Cross. These medals awarded can be verified on the website and are divided by military service and campaign.

http://valor.defense.gov/

Also those claiming to be Navy SEALS (which there are a plethora these days) these guys can be verified through retired Senior Chief Don Shipley (SEAL) who keeps an updated database of all SEALS who ever served. His website his below. Check him out on you tube as he is a riot.

http://www.extremesealexperience.com/1430.h.DON_SHIPLEY_NAVY_SEAL

Stolen Valor

Stolen Valor. True stories of liars in violation of the Stolen Valor Act. Pretenders, liars and frauds claiming military honors they didn't earn.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2014 10:50 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 22:50:33 -0400

I would say that if they are running their mouths then they are most likely never been in the SOF. Every SOF type I have been around usually does not talk about their work. One practical reason is that they take OPSEC seriously and if they are flapping their gums than they may be compromising information. I believe the AF SOF like to refer to them selves as quiet professionals.

In most cases someone being very verbose about fantastic stories is either not a real military person or they were or are in the military but are just embellishing on what they do.

I would say that I would agree that in most cases it is not worth to get into a confrontation. Usually people who do this are not secure about who they are and feel like they have to prop them self up.

Response by SPC Brian Aranda made Sep 29 at 2014 3:00 PM

SPC Brian Aranda — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 15:00:22 -0400

Usually you can ask some general questions that only someone who served would know offhand, if it's someone claiming the same branch of service as yourself you can ask some more detailed questions. Just keep your BS detector up to date and it won't be hard to tell which ones are faking it.

Response by AN Vincent Cunningham made Nov 9 at 2014 4:20 PM

AN Vincent Cunningham — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 16:20:56 -0500

I was told you can go online and generate your own DD-214 by a Federal Cop at the Boise VA. Apparently if you don't like the DD-214 you were discharged with you can print your own and give yourself all of the medals and awards you want. Here in Boise we have several wannabe Navy SEALS Don Shipley highlighted one.

Response by PO3 David Davis made Dec 3 at 2014 7:30 PM

PO3 David Davis — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 19:30:04 -0500

I was going to give a so called homeless guy some money. I was wearing a Corpsman ball cap. He said can you help a vet. I was reaching in to my pocket we began to talk about the military. I knew then he was full of it. I just walked away. On facebook someone took a video of the same guy getting into his Cadillac Escalade. There are Vets out there that really need help. I hate the fact that these guys do this.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2015 3:11 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 03:11:26 -0500

CPL (P) Dobin, usually your posers will claim to be some type of SPECOPS. You can usually (not always) tell the real SPECOPS guys as they won't talk much about their exploits. If you want to know if someone is a true vet ask them what AR covers specific things. That usually shuts them down quick.

Response by SGT Chris Hill made Jun 9 at 2015 7:16 PM

SGT Chris Hill — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 19:16:53 -0400

just let them keep their stories, whether they're legit or adopted stories. wouldnt go through the trouble of asking for a DD214, usually that stuff will be very evident when it's not true without needing any of that.

it's up to you to fix those who you're working with or around, not those who are not serving, or claimed to have served, there's no way to implement any type of enforcement.

Response by CPO William Means made Jun 13 at 2015 12:24 AM

CPO William Means — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 00:24:52 -0400

Mr Dobin,

If there is one thing I can tell you from experience hanging out at a DAV, VFW, or American Legion is that Name, Rank, and Branch of service is all the "story" they need. The fact that we served is enough. When the "tall tales" are being told, remember that they are "tall tales" REAL veterans don't need to talk about it, they lived it. Those that want glory or a pat on the back will talk a big game.

Rule #1 if it sounds to good to be true 99.9% of the time IT IS!

Rule #2 Sea Stories are 25% truth, 75% embellishment!

Hope it helps.

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Jun 13 at 2015 5:06 PM

SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 17:06:50 -0400

Would it be appropriate? No it would not be. They are nothing to you just as much a you are nothing to them. No authority either. I don't know who would walk around carrying it either.

I could tell you the greatest stories about how me and a squad of AIT cooks fought and defeated a squadron of green aliens from the planet melmak. And I would make it believable too.

As long as I am not profiting, its just a story.

I despise posers pretending to be soldiers or soldiers pretending to be have done more than what they really did, but it is their prerogative to be morons.

As others have said, you're either seeing too much into this or you just need to walk away.

How about you counter their BS with better and bigger BS of your own? Out soldier them.

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2015 1:53 AM

CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 01:53:03 -0400

Avoid the confrontation, you are an active duty member representing the Army. Not worth it to you or your unit having the risk of assault charges brought up against you and embarrassing the organization you are representing over a confrontation gone wrong over such a thing. Also keep in mind whether we agree with it or not it is their right of freedom to falsify tales of their heroics. You fight for that right, you do not get to pick and choose how they use them. As long as they are not wearing a uniform and/or unearned awards/badges they are not commiting a federal offense. If you just are curious and want to know if they are full of it, ask a few basic/generalized questions one with their claimed experience should know. Just brush it off, take it as a compliment that you're living his/her dream. If you must, Save the confrontation for when you are a veteran; not a soldier on active duty. ;p

Response by CPL Hays Hays made Sep 19 at 2015 12:41 AM

CPL Hays Hays — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 00:41:13 -0400

What's your mos?

Response by SN Greg Wright made Oct 10 at 2015 1:26 AM

SN Greg Wright — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 01:26:26 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member Corporal, I am happy to tell you of my time as a young e-2 wire-brushing the stairs of the SCIF I was assigned to. If you need my dd-214 to believe that, why...I will produce it. Although it says little about me wire-brushing.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 2:57 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 14:57:55 -0400

NO.....if they are not trying to gain anything who cares....now if they are trying to get 10% off a Bo Jangels breakfast biscuit hell you should call the cops on them and hold them at gun point until backup arrives.....seriously this topic just pisses me off....sorry you're getting my response...but come one people there has to something more important in the world you can do with your time other than troll Malls, Subways, Train-stations, birthday parties, parades, etc looking for people who may or may not be embellishing on their career or hell out right lying about it ....so what....as long as they are not trying to profit or gain benefits from their actions who cares....not like they are getting a TV show for passing them self off as a woman or something....anyway if someone walked up and asked me for my DD-214 I tell them to EAD.......there is no reason for anyone to ask you for one and no-one has the random authority to ask to see it unless you are trying to seek benefits. Additionally... just as a side note.....Who the hell carries their DD-214 with them that's way to valuable a document to be hanging out in your wallet for no reason.....it's like carrying around your social security card.....why would you do that it's just begging for something stupid to happen ....like a lost wallet followed by a stolen identity. Anyway CPL don't get me wrong if someone is trying to garner votes, get money, get benefits, etc and there are questions to their validity they should be challenged and prepared to defend their position. But if my drunk Uncle wants to stand up at the bar and regale us with stories of how he single-handedly saved the day....you know the story it starts with "There I was..........we'd been in country 6 months and something just did not feel right"................who cares....he is not hurting anyone and hell he's probably even buying the beer just to keep us listening. Anyway....God bless and keep those who serve and have served safe........and God Bless America ...where the fish stories are bigger and better than everyone else's because well....we're #1.

Response by SFC Rollie Hubbard made Nov 1 at 2017 10:56 PM

SFC Rollie Hubbard — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 22:56:29 -0400

You can always ask for their DD214 but i doubt they will show it.

Response by SFC Rollie Hubbard made Nov 1 at 2017 10:58 PM

SFC Rollie Hubbard — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 22:58:23 -0400

Great advice Maj.Miller