How can I verify if someone actually served in the military or if they are practicing stolen valor?

MAJ Hugh Blanchard - Thanks for that information, Major. I don't recall anyone pointing that out while I was out-processing and it was being drummed into our heads that we needed to file our papers at the County Clerk's office. I guess back then identity theft just hadn't yet become the problem that it is today. Does anyone know if it's still S.O.P. to recommend filing your DD-214 at the Clerk's office? I'll give my Clerk's office a call tomorrow to find out what, if any, safeguards are now in place to protect our information and report back what I found.

MAJ Hugh Blanchard - Major, I did some checking around and here's what I found: When your DD214 is filed at the county clerk's office, your personal information is generally protected from disclosure. Most states have privacy laws that require proof of your identity or eligibility before access to the DD214 is granted, ensuring that only qualified individuals can obtain it. Additionally, the DD214 is sealed from public view, meaning it is not available for general public access. However, it's important to check your specific state laws, as they may vary. Hope this helps clarify it, Sir.

PO3 K H - SFC Casey O'mally Stolen Valor Act 2005, signed into law by President Bush. "Just let it go" Is a disserves and disrespectful to those military members that have earned the badges and awards !

SGT Michael Jordan - As a County VSO, I am one of the few in the courthouse who can actually access the books with the discharges. Our State has laws on the books that only certain individuals can look at those books and/or make a copy of a veterans discharge. I have talked to lots of veterans who have not recorded their discharges in the books with the county clerk, its just not something recommended anymore. They all typically keep a digital copy on their phone but they can't print one off to hand someone wanting to see it, so they don't know what to do. Annnddd, when they lose their phone they lost everything that was on it unless everything was backed up. When one of the younger vet's comes in, I always recommend that they go upstairs and get that DD214 recorded, that way if a fire, tornado, thief or vindictive family member destroys or takes the copy they have, I can always get them a new CERTIFIED copy, which is a whole lot easier/faster than waiting 1 to 1 1/2 months for a reply from StLouis.

GySgt William Hardy - If you have never been treated by a resident, then I have to assume you don't get care at a VA eye clinic. The VA eye clinics routinely use residents for any routine examination that requires a doctor instead of a nurse or technician. At the end of the exam the resident takes the paperwork to be signed by the 'attending' physician. Then the 'attending' MIGHT come see you for a few seconds or not. On rare occasions the 'attending' may actually repeat part of the examination if they doubt the results that the resident reported. (That used to happen to me regularly due to a tiny speck of metal lodged in one of my eyes, lately they seem better at reading my record that shows the metal has been their since 1969).

SFC Barbara Layman - Your VA should also have a Veteran Experience Officer you can talk to if the Patient Advocate doesn't help. Otherwise I suggest you contact your congressmen and make them aware. They may be better able to get your VA to actually help you instead of giving you the bum's rush out the door. Does your VA have a Women's Clinic? If so, you need to be switched to that clinic, you might get better care than just being handed around in the men's primary care clinic.

Sgt Melinda Pamphrey - I have no issues with the VA or the services I receive. My comments were in response to comments of others.

Thank you. Apparently, I was mistaken thinking it was you.

Give us the deeets!!!!