Do you think Gary McCollum really didn't know that he isn't in the Reserves?

2015-09-17T15:45:44-04:00

Apparently though discharged in 2001, he thought he was in the Army Reserve. What do you think?

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/guard-reserve/2015/09/15/senate-candidate-in-virginia-misstates-military-record/72330710/

RICHMOND, Va. — A Democrat running for the state Senate says he thought he was still in the U.S. Army Reserve, but it turns out he hasn't been in the military since he was discharged in 2001.

Gary McCollum — who was recruited by Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe to run in a closely watched contest that could determine which party controls the Senate — had listed on his website and campaign materials that he was currently a major in the Army Reserve.

The former Army Ranger and current executive at Cox Communications has touted his military service during his campaign against Republican Sen. Frank Wagner. The Virginia Beach district where they are competing has a high concentration of current and former military members.

But on Tuesday, McCollum's campaign issued a statement saying he was "informed that his understanding of his current military classification was not correct." The statement was issued after the Virginian-Pilot newspaper first reported the discrepancy.

The statement said McCollum remains proud of his years of service and will change the information on his website and campaign material.

McCollum was discharged from the Army as a major in September 2001, according to Army spokesman Ray Gall. McCollum's service information shows he served in both the Army and the Army Reserve, and transferred to the inactive Army Reserve in June 1992 until his 2001 discharge. As a member of the inactive Army Reserve, McCollum had no formal duties or regularly scheduled commitments to the Army.

The Republican Party of Virginia called on McCollum to withdraw from the race.

"Falsely claiming to be a major in the Army Reserves is an insult to veterans and automatic disqualification for public office," chairman John Whitbeck said in a statement.

Senate candidate in Virginia misstates military record

A Democrat running for the state Senate says he thought he was still in the U.S. Army Reserve, but it turns out he hasn't been in the military since he was discharged in 2001.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2015 3:47 PM

2015-09-17T15:47:23-04:00

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member, I read about this and I honestly can’t believe that you don’t know your current status as a service member.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Sep 17 at 2015 3:49 PM

2015-09-17T15:49:24-04:00

Moran! And people like this are already running our country.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2015 3:56 PM

2015-09-17T15:56:56-04:00

It is ballsy to claim that you are "still in the Reserves" if he hasn't done anything with the military since 1992. That's 23 years my brothers. I still don't count the time I was in the IRR, then again i am enlisted so maybe there's a difference... in this case maybe that difference in integrity.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Sep 17 at 2015 4:03 PM

2015-09-17T16:03:35-04:00

I was never entirely certain when my IRR status ended, but I would never have thought to claim reserve status either. So I guess it's possible but really unlikely.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 17 at 2015 4:03 PM

2015-09-17T16:03:41-04:00

I don't know. Not to make excuses, but this is IRR not actual reserves.

He was a Major so his actual commitment was up, and he shifted over likely so he could maintain ties. Do they give you a discharge letter from the IRR? I was never actually in it (I had no obligation time left when I got out).

I can actually see someone thinking, "I signed up for IRR, I'm keeping these uniforms in the closet, why wouldn't I still be in it?" It's not like they drill, etc.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2015 4:16 PM

2015-09-17T16:16:32-04:00

I smell a poopoo platter of excuses coming our way.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 17 at 2015 4:38 PM

2015-09-17T16:38:35-04:00

Stolen valor?

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Sep 17 at 2015 5:30 PM

2015-09-17T17:30:12-04:00

I'm thinking he didn't update his address, otherwise he'd have been notified:

Officers who complete their MSO must make a positive election to remain assigned to the IRR, resign their commission or transfer to the Retired Reserve if eligible. Failure to make any election will result in transfer to the Standby Reserve for one year. If, after one year in
the Standby Reserve, no positive election is made, you will be discharged. If you believe you have completed your MSO and have not received the MSO election form, contact your Career Management Office to receive the form for your election.

Every person who joins the Army incurs a statutory Military Service Obligation. Most incur an 8 year Military Service Obligation which is part of the Soldier’s original contract. Soldiers typically serve two to four years on active duty, and then are transferred to another component to fulfill the remainder of their obligation. The IRR is just one of several categories that a Soldier can enter. Other categories include the Active Guard Reserve, the Troop Program Unit, the National Guard, and the Individual Mobilization Augmentee.
A “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty,” or Department of Defense Form 214, may release a Soldier from active duty without discharging the Soldier from his remaining Military Service Obligation. Block 6 of the DD-214 will state how much time a Soldier must serve in the Reserve to complete his Military Service Obligation. Soldiers are made aware of any remaining service obligation when they leave active duty.
IRR Soldiers are required to keep Army Human Resources Command apprised of changes in their medical status that may render them unfit to serve. Army Human Resources Command provides IRR Soldiers with several means of notifying the Command of such changes. IRR Soldiers also need to advise the Command of medical diagnoses or disability ratings they may receive from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) after leaving active duty.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Sep 17 at 2015 6:19 PM

2015-09-17T18:19:53-04:00

I don't believe him

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Sep 17 at 2015 9:58 PM

2015-09-17T21:58:34-04:00

Based on just what is in the article, which is short of specific detail, I find it completely believable. In fact, my belief would be that until such time as he SPECIFICALLY RESIGNED his commission, he would technically remain a member of the IRR. (Officers are Indef, and do not ETS until they hit MRD or actively separate) I would need to know the exact nature of his "discharge" to know if his claim was false. I note that is statement stated that his "understanding of his status" was incorrect, not that he did not still have a commission....

As a member of the IRR, would I claim to be "serving" in the Reserves? No, I would not - it would be misleading. However, it would be technically correct. Which is honestly the best you can expect from a politician.

Response by SSG John Erny made Sep 17 at 2015 10:24 PM

2015-09-17T22:24:43-04:00

OK, so I am in the retired reserve until age 60. Do I have a unit, No. Do, I have a commander, No. Do I have to pass PT, Rifle qual, or put on the uniform, no. Does my rank mean a hill of beans to anyone on active duty, no. The only way any of that matters if all hell breaks loose and they start calling back anyone with a heart beat. Niether does his from that point of view, now had he done one simple thing and put (Ret.) or (Veteran) after his name he would be good to go. I think the Litmus test would be are you subject to UCMJ if you mess up!

The only thing my rank does do is when I drive on a base and some kid that looks like he should still be in high school says good day SGT as he hands back my retired ID. I was never that young I tell you, Never.

Response by Cpl Rc Layne made Sep 17 at 2015 10:34 PM

2015-09-17T22:34:22-04:00

I am only a lowly enlisted Corporal of Marines. When I was in, the 4 years active, 2 years inactive rule was in effect. I completed 6 years, 11 months and 8 days of active duty, and new that I no longer was on any kind of benefit gaining status. Come on , Major, how did you not know? I'm not buying it for a second.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2015 11:39 PM

2015-09-17T23:39:18-04:00

Yeah, right.
In other news, I forgot when my birthday was...

Response by PO1 John Miller made Sep 18 at 2015 9:08 AM

2015-09-18T09:08:56-04:00

Based on all the responses concerning IRR and Standby Reserves, I'm thinking he listed Army Reserves on his campaign site to try and get veteran support, nothing more.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Sep 18 at 2015 9:22 AM

2015-09-18T09:22:00-04:00

How could you "think" you were "IN" the reserves when you don't put on a uniform and serve (or get PAID!)??? This guy shouldn't just be disqualified for claiming to be a Major - he should be disqualified for stupidity!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2015 5:13 PM

2015-09-18T17:13:06-04:00

I think a lot of people on Rally Point have no clue about how the Reserves work. But, they're more than happy to call this guy an idiot or a liar. Quite plausible he misunderstood his current status.

Response by PO1 Sojourner "Chancy" Phillips made Sep 18 at 2015 5:51 PM

2015-09-18T17:51:14-04:00

Delusional!!!! I bet if he had needed VA benefits or disability pay he would know.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2015 7:17 PM

2015-09-18T19:17:58-04:00

He "misstates" his military record just like Hillary "misstates" a lot of things. Hmm. Sounds like a typical politician to me. And if lying is disqualification for public office, every elected official would be out of a job.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2015 7:19 PM

2015-09-18T19:19:28-04:00

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2015 7:46 PM

2015-09-18T19:46:35-04:00

Well my wife transferred from active duty to the National Guard and we moved out of state a few years later as I was still active. She turned in paperwork and everything but never got official discharge or a 214. She would occasionally get phone calls asking if she was going to drill weekend the upcoming weekend and what not and would tell them she should be out and she doesn't understand why they were still calling her she was past her guard service time. She finally had to contact the state HQ about it and she got a DD 214 for 9 years of guard time when her contract was initially only 3 years so I guess it might be somewhat possible for this to happen to someone. She did not participate in any drill weekends for the last 6 years or receive any pay from the guard but apparently she was still technically in.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2015 11:13 PM

2015-09-18T23:13:55-04:00

He is a moron.....

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2015 11:25 PM

2015-09-18T23:25:03-04:00

As an active duty guy for 30 years, I was never "confused" as to my military status. Brutal. SMH!

Response by PO1 Pete Sikes made Sep 19 at 2015 12:48 AM

2015-09-19T00:48:21-04:00

If he was, he would still have an ID, correct?

Response by SSG Richard Hackwith made Sep 19 at 2015 1:50 AM

2015-09-19T01:50:44-04:00

A variation of this theme. In 1967 I was at Fort Irwin assigned to range control and SDY to the rifle team. One of the range NCOs, a SSG, went on leave. A few days later the 1SG called his name in morning formation, someone replied that he was on leave. The 1SG then said that somebody needed to find him quick because he was due to ETS next week. Even though he was going to REUP he had forgotten his ETS date.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Sep 19 at 2015 5:39 AM

2015-09-19T05:39:42-04:00

I would have to know what political party he was affiliated with before I either called it a simple mistake or that he is a stolen valor asshole who should be burned at the stake.

Response by SSgt Christopher Brose made Sep 19 at 2015 7:37 AM

2015-09-19T07:37:02-04:00

The thing about it is, if any of us were asked what our service status is, we would answer the question clearly. We might say something like, "I served in _______ for __ years. I was discharged in 20xx. I might still technically be in the inactive reserves, but I'm not sure about that."

I can't imagine a circumstance where I wouldn't either know my status, or be able to clearly explain any grey area. I attribute that same capacity to my fellow servicemen. For someone of the rank of Major (running for office, no less) to not be able to articulate that up front, and then later have to issue a correction, boggles my mind.

And I'd say that whether he was a Democrat or Republican.

Response by SPC Luis Mendez made Sep 19 at 2015 2:22 PM

2015-09-19T14:22:11-04:00

NO I don't believe it!
Though I don't know what's the Reserve commitment duration for O's, everyone in the E's, RA's and NCO's ranks knew what was theirs, at least back in the days, it was 6 yrs. With the current Adulations and Fascinations of the Media, the naïve Populace and the conscience problem of a now second generation of men who are Draft dodgers since 1973. The touting of Military record and service is the Fashionable thing to do for Politicians et al. This whole Enamoring and Fascinations with all things Military is because there is no DRAFT. Bring back the DRAFT and you will see again the Anti-war, Anti-draft, demonstrations of the late 1960's. This time half a million men will leave the country just as their fathers and grandfathers did back then. The Adulations, Enamoring and Fascinations in the Media and of the Populace will be over in a day. No one will be wearing Combat fatigues in airports, no one will try to pass as soldiers downtown. No one will go to weddings, churches, family gatherings etc. etc. in their class A uniforms anymore.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Sep 19 at 2015 3:26 PM

2015-09-19T15:26:37-04:00

I don't cAre

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 19 at 2015 4:39 PM

2015-09-19T16:39:49-04:00

He has a delta to answer for. If he did not know then he is retarded. If he knew then he is a liar, or he can be a retarded liar.

Response by Col Richard Roessler made Sep 19 at 2015 11:10 PM

2015-09-19T23:10:06-04:00

Yes, I would believe that someone could believe that they were still in the reserves even a large number of years after discharge. This gentlemen reached the rank of Major and was previously an Army Ranger. I would cut him some slack (though he probably should be more careful regarding his status...) It seems that the Individual Ready Reserve continues 'forever' and reserve officers (at least back in the 90's when I was in the reserve before entering active duty) received ID Cards that had an 'INDEF' expiration. This does not seem to be a case of stolen valor (I would call any Ranger pretty valorous just for that accomplishment!)

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2015 11:24 PM

2015-09-19T23:24:34-04:00

When I first entered the active component in 88 I served for 4 yrs active and then did active reserve while attending nursing school. I actually got a discharge from the Reserves--very nicely printed certificate. What we were always told was you did 4 years active and could be called back any time 4 years after that initial hitch.
Sort of a moot issue now since I went back in the army as a member of the nurse corps. I was also told that any and all awards for enlisted schools [PLDC or WLC as it is now known] could not be worn in my official DA photo.
My suspicion is this man is either lying outright or simply mistook IRR status for active reservist status. Either way it puts him in a bad light. The current Senator Blumenthal from Conn lied about serving in 'Nam. He was stateside reservist the whole time but his statement in his campaign sounded like he was claiming Nam vet status. Some years back in Texas the then Railroad Commissioner was a gal named Lena Guerrero. She claimed to be a UT graduate but had left school a few hours short of an undergrad journalism degree.
I think if anything you should underinflate your mil accomplishments. But if you make any claims as a candidate be prepared for someone somewhere to dredge up your DD214 or even a less than stellar NCOER or OER.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2015 1:23 AM

2015-09-20T01:23:58-04:00

This just seems rather tragic all the way around. I understand politically using your military record to get the votes from the veterans. I don't think I would do it, but if I did, I would most certainly have all of my ducks in a row, with documented proof of everything I was saying.
It seems like there was even more misunderstanding with the Republican Chairman, John Whitbeck's remarks, who was clearly trying to politically capitalize for his party on the situation. Fortunately, I think it made both parties look bad, which means nothing was really gained or lost by either side over a misunderstanding.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2015 12:53 PM

2015-09-20T12:53:32-04:00

Maybe he just meant that he thought he was still IRR? I've never been in it, but it looks like there's little-to-no communication from commands to members, so it's entirely possible he thought he was still IRR. I mean, one of my friends got off active duty about a year ago and they haven't even sent him any sort of communication, so he's not even sure when he'll be out entirely.

Response by SSG Richard Hackwith made Sep 21 at 2015 12:47 AM

2015-09-21T00:47:11-04:00

Back in the "old days", I got off active duty in Nov 1968 and was transferred to a USAR control group. My next communication from them was in Aug 1970 when I got a Honorable Discharge certificate in the mail. In those days it was a six year obligation. Then in 1972 I joined the NG on a "try one". Didn't like the unit, mostly draft dodgers, so I only did the one year. In 1974 I tried USAR for another "try one", and it was only one. In 1975 I tried a different NG unit that was more to my liking. Then in late '85, circumstances forced me to go ING but I kind of took my time in going back to drill status. Never heard from my unit, then in '87 got a call from the state retention NCO, saying I near ETS what did I want to do. I had forgotten the date. Next day I got a notice of a muster from my unit, went in and they I said I was ETS'ed. Now I was screwed, I had 19 years for pay but only about 16 "good" years for retirement. If I went back in, I had a break in service and for reserve component retirement your last eight years have to be consecutive. I was 41 almost 42 and not excited about the concept hanging around till I was fifty, so my military experience came to an end.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2015 10:00 AM

2015-09-21T10:00:19-04:00

Interesting.

The implications of using one's status for political influence/benefit aside...my understanding was that a retired officer retains the right to use their rank as a "title" always, though there is no implied "power" or obligation. Officers who are discharged honorably remain in the IRR for a specific period (wasn't it eight years) unless otherwise activated, re-affiliated with the Selected Reserves, etc. In the case of a formally approved resignation and honorable discharge, the officer loses the right to the "title" of their last held rank...am I correct?

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Sep 21 at 2015 2:00 PM

2015-09-21T14:00:14-04:00

Officers serve at the pleasure of the President. Ive known two Storm era captains mobilized for OEF who never resigned, never drilled, and just assumed. Then again thats slacking.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2015 8:28 AM

2015-09-23T08:28:54-04:00

Mr Gary McCollum knew his military status. His campaign manager probably recommended he state that he was still in for political reasons. Regardless, the onus is still on him and when it was brought to light he corrected the information, but did he also apologize for the misrepresentation?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2015 9:17 AM

2015-09-23T09:17:16-04:00

If he was that dumbfounded to know that he wasn't still in the Reserves, how dumbfounded will he be when he is sworn into office?

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Oct 11 at 2018 1:12 AM

2018-10-11T01:12:13-04:00

I'd like to know how many "good years" he had for retirement. If he got in 20 good years and then served another 9 in the IRR he then could be transferred to the Retired Reserve and still, technically, be in the Army.
For what it is worth - there is another post on this page from an officer who was discharged from the Army Reserve without his knowledge and I am currently in the IRR - or at least I think I am as they have not told me if they have discharged me.
Don't be too harsh on the guy - he didn't lie about his rank or wartime service. There are worse crimes than claiming to be in the Army Reserve when you are not.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made May 19 at 2021 1:42 AM

2021-05-19T01:42:48-04:00

I think this stems from the belief by some that all former officers are in the the reserves until they reach age 60. This applies to officers who retire with 20 years of service and then are in the Retired Reserve until age 60. I don't think that Mr. McCollum should withdraw from his campaign but he should make an apology.