Arizona state senator's military record questioned - Stolen Valor?

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 09:23:57 -0400

The one thing he was clear about was that he had an honorable discharge, and he showed his honorable discharge certificate and order to The Republic. Dial also gave The Republic his discharge document from active duty training in 1996, his DD Form 214, which listed his character of service as "uncharacterized" after serving less than 180 days of active duty in the Reserve.
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Note: Full article added by RP Staff

PHOENIX, Ariz.—Arizona state Sen. Jeff Dial touted his military service during successful campaigns for the Arizona House and later the Senate.

Gov. Jan Brewer endorsed him as a "veteran of the Armed Forces." And he serves on the Legislature's veterans caucus, formed to help create bipartisan solutions for problems involving veterans.

But what Dial doesn't say about his military experience is that soon after joining the U.S. Army Reserve in 1996, he got in trouble for his weight, triggering a personnel action against him and making him ineligible for promotion. Four years into his eight-year commitment, he was transferred to the inactive list for "unsatisfactory participation."

While other reservists were being called up to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan, Dial remained on the individual ready reserve list from 2000 to 2004. Dial, a Republican who represents parts of Ahwatukee Foothills, Tempe, Mesa and Chandler, received an honorable discharge when his service commitment ended in 2004.

Exactly how long Dial showed up to drill with his unit can't be determined unless Dial releases his full military record. The Arizona Republic asked Dial to do so in March, and he declined.

The definition of what exactly constitutes a veteran is murky, but in order to qualify for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, guidelines call for 24 months of active military service or the "full period" for which a service member was called to active duty. There are some exceptions to this rule.

When The Republic first interviewed Dial about his military service in March, he said he had no idea what unit he had been assigned to in the Army Reserve, didn't know his commanding officer, didn't know how long he served with the unit or when he was transferred to the individual ready reserve. Dial said he didn't know anything about his unit, 315th Psyop Company, being called up to go to Kosovo in 1999-2000.

When asked about his rank, Dial said: "I think PFC," which is private first class.

When asked to submit a form to request his full military file, he declined.

The one thing he was clear about was that he had an honorable discharge, and he showed his honorable discharge certificate and order to The Republic. Dial also gave The Republic his discharge document from active duty training in 1996, his DD Form 214, which listed his character of service as "uncharacterized" after serving less than 180 days of active duty in the Reserve.

During a second interview in April at the Legislature, Dial said he didn't name specifics about his military service because he didn't know who the reporter interviewing him was, even though the reporter clearly identified himself.

Dial said he only obtained the rank of E3 — private first class — after eight years in the Army Reserve. Dial said his weight prevented him from being promoted.

"Unfortunately, I had a lot of problems with my weight after a couple years," Dial said. "I am still proud of my service, but it was one of the things holding me back from rising in rank."

Two military experts who reviewed Dial's file at the request of The Republic concluded Dial has overreached by campaigning as a veteran.

Gregg Maxon, a retired brigadier general for the Arizona Army National Guard, said he believes Dial is "greatly exaggerating his service to the country."

Larry Bailey, retired after 27 years as a Navy Seal, said he believes the idea that Dial is a veteran is "laughable." He said Dial should not have an honorable discharge with his military record.

Bailey is on the Stolen Valor team of B.G. Burkett, an author and military-service watchdog who investigates fraudulent claims of military service.

He said Dial is a veteran in technical terms since he went through basic training. But his actions after that undermine the title.

"I don't understand why anyone would claim to be a veteran" with that record, Bailey said.

Typically, one would expect someone who was in the Army Reserve for eight years to have gotten to at least the rank of E4, specialist or corporal, but more likely to the rank of E5, sergeant, Maxon said. Obtaining only the rank of private first class, E3, after eight years of service typically means there was a problem with his service, Maxon said.

Dial said his "unsatisfactory participation" was because of his inability to make the weight required by the Army Reserve.

He declined a final interview with The Republic and instead provided this statement:

"I am proud of my eight years of service in the US Army Reserves. I swore a commitment to defend the United States and was committed to go anywhere my country sent me. I graduated from basic training and honorably served for eight years in the Army reserves, before receiving an Honorable Discharge for my service.

"I believe anyone who swears to defend the United States, attends basic training, serves out their eight year commitment to the Army Reserves, and receives an Honorable discharge is a veteran. I have always struggled with my weight, but am very proud of my country, and stand by my eight years of service in the military."

This is not the first time Dial has had his records questioned. In an unsuccessful run for the House in 2004, Dial promoted himself in the Republican primary as an Arizona State University graduate.

ASU said Dial was not a graduate, and Dial blamed the situation on an administrative error. However, ASU said Dial knew his status when he claimed he was a graduate. He later received a degree from ASU.

Maxon said it's most likely that's Dial's "unsatisfactory participation" meant that Dial stopped showing up to his unit. "To me, that means he quit going to drill," he said.

Maxon said Dial's unsatisfactory participation could have gotten him removed from the military altogether. But at the time, the Army was reducing numbers and it was likely much easier to administratively put Dial on the individual ready reserve than convene a discharge board and remove him from the military, he said.

"Commanders were under pressure to get their numbers down," Maxon said. "A lot of times they went pretty easy on these folks — more than they would have otherwise."

In his most recent Senate run, Dial touted fliers sent out by Brewer that featured her photo and a statement from her saying that as "a veteran of the Armed Forces, Jeff Dial has the conservative values that our state needs."

Dial is considered a moderate Republican in the Legislature. He voted for Brewer's expansion of Medicaid in 2013 while in the House and voted against Gov. Doug Ducey's budget this year in the Senate.

Leading Republicans in the state Senate didn't return calls for comment about Dial. Senate President Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, did not return several requests for comment.

Republican state Rep. Sonny Borrelli, a member and former co-chair of the Legislature's veterans caucus, said in his view Dial is a veteran because he went through basic training and received an honorable discharge. Borrelli served for 22 years in the U.S. Marine Corps.

"He is legitimately a veteran," said Borrelli of Lake Havasu City. "I know a lot of guys like that."

He called Dial's portrayal of his service a "stretch" because of his lack of involvement after basic training. However, he said that unless Dial was claiming to have served in places he had not or said he had earned medals he had not earned, then Dial was not embellishing or exaggerating his record.

Borrelli said Dial rarely came to Legislative caucus meetings when he was in the House and came even less when he was in the Senate.

"He never shows up," he said. "He really doesn't consider himself like the rest of us."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/06/02/arizona-state-senator-military-service/28340483/

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Jun 3 at 2015 9:28 AM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 09:28:47 -0400

Put Sgt Keith Bodine on him!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 9:29 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 09:29:15 -0400

Interesting. Why do they think that they can cover stuff like this up!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 3 at 2015 9:41 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 09:41:10 -0400

This line in the article...

"The definition of what exactly constitutes a veteran is murky..."

Response by SPC Donald Moore made Jun 3 at 2015 9:57 AM

SPC Donald Moore — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 09:57:58 -0400

It sounds like he joined, went to training and failed to complete initial training, then got a general discharge.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 3 at 2015 10:18 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 10:18:24 -0400

Not sure what he claimed to have done, or not done? It appears he did enlist, complete his IADT, and became a fat body when he returned to his unit.

So did he serve, Yes.

Is he a combat veteran, No.

What did he claim?

Response by SSgt Donnavon Smith made Sep 18 at 2015 6:57 PM

SSgt Donnavon Smith — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 18:57:10 -0400

Ok, I am a fatbody too, (prefer to call it Tactical Padding), but I digress. I do not consider IRR service, does anyone? looks like he served 4 years. "Four years into his eight-year commitment, he was transferred to the inactive list for "unsatisfactory participation.""

Response by SP5 Charles Goldsmith made Jul 26 at 2018 11:40 AM

SP5 Charles Goldsmith — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 11:40:25 -0400

When did you become a veteran just by serving. I was informed you had to serve during certain time periods.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2018 12:49 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 12:49:50 -0400

If he didn't serve 180 days or more on active duty, legally he's not a veteran.

But I don't see where he's claiming anything that falls under Stolen Valor. He admitted he was fat and had issues with his weight and that's why he got discharged. He never seemed to make up any stories or lie about what he did. He was a fat PFC in the Reserves...

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Jul 26 at 2018 11:48 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 23:48:56 -0400

Eight years and only a PFC? There is a BIG issue not mentioned in the article, and maybe I missed it, but he has an "honorable discharge" from 1996. When did he actually come in AD? It reads that he had weight issues in the reserves, and that limited him to the rank of PFC. What did he ETS from when he was AD? Everyone knows what rank they were when they left AD whether or not they like it doesn't matter.
I was a constant weight control issue, so I understand his problem, BUT I still know what units I was with, most if not all of my commanders and 1SG's names, and how much hell I put folks through in each unit. I'm smelling a rat with this guy. He can't remember basic crap more than likely means he's full of crap.

If he did eight years total in the reserve, and was only a PFC, dude was flagged the entire time, and I am not sure if reservists get the same 214 AD folks do. I've heard NG get state discharges when they get out. Not an expert on that. When did he enlist AD would give folks some better info, and what was his RE code? Was he chaptered out of AD invol separation (weight control chapter) and had to do the RC/NG commitment?

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 27 at 2018 12:15 AM

COL Charles Williams — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 00:15:54 -0400

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. A stretch to say the least. Two points.

1. This is pure B.S. - "When The Republic first interviewed Dial about his military service in March, he said he had no idea what unit he had been assigned to in the Army Reserve, didn't know his commanding officer, didn't know how long he served with the unit or when he was transferred to the individual ready reserve. Dial said he didn't know anything about his unit, 315th Psyop Company, being called up to go to Kosovo in 1999-2000."

"When asked about his rank, Dial said: "I think PFC," which is private first class" I think?

Who doesn't know these answers? I know every unit I was in, what ranks I earned, and who my Commanders were...

2. An Uncharacteristic Discharge, is an entry level discharge, for those who can't meet the minimum standards.

1.B.1.f. Definitions
...
(15) Entry Level Status. The first 180 days of continuous active duty.
...
1.B.2.d. Reasons for Discharge
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(11) Entry-level separation (uncharacterized discharge).
...
1.B.2.f. Standards for Discharge
...
(6) Uncharacterized Discharge. An uncharacterized discharge by its own connotation is separation without characterization of service. An uncharacterized discharge may be issued only if the provisions of Article 1.B.19. of this Manual apply.
...
1.B.19. Uncharacterized Discharges
1.B.19.a. Definition
(1) Uncharacterized discharges are authorized for all members separated at the entry level on or after 15 June 1983 who:
(a) Have fewer than 180 days of active service on discharge, and
(b) Demonstrate poor proficiency, conduct, aptitude or unsuitability for further service during the period from enlistment through recruit training, or
(c) Exhibit minor pre-existing medical issues not of a disabling nature which do not meet the medical/physical procurement standards in place for entry into the Service.
(2) An uncharacterized discharge is used for most recruit separations, except for disability, prior service members entering recruit training, or in cases when another type of discharge may be appropriate as described in Article 1.B.15. of this Manual for recruits with serious infractions.