What are the guidelines for showing proof of active duty status when asked by a senior enlisted member and both are wearing civilian attire?

Cpl Scott Hogarth — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 02:56:59 -0400

If you are asked by a senior enlisted member in civilian attire who identifies themselves as such, and you are as well in civilian attire....are you required to show/give them any proof of you being an active duty military member as well, or are you allowed to lie and deny your active duty status and walk away? can some one please point me to the direction for an order on this and what the proper way to handle it is on a legal stand point? MCO/bo/UCMJ?

Response by Cpl Scott Hogarth made Apr 16 at 2018 3:00 AM

Cpl Scott Hogarth — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 03:00:57 -0400

i could really use an answer on this one guys. please and thank you.

Response by MSgt John McGowan made Apr 16 at 2018 3:21 AM

MSgt John McGowan — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 03:21:31 -0400

I have no idea in this case. You run into it so little. I do know what happened when you tell them to f—- off when you in the club in the bag. I say it a bad place to do any business and refused until I had enough but a sNCO should know better. They tried to fire me but when the drinking came out it went away.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2018 3:22 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 03:22:34 -0400

You are listed on your profile as a veteran. Are you asking for a currently serving military member? What was the reason that this senior enlisted military member was asking about military service? Was someone not wearing appropriate civilian attire and lied about being a current service member?

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 16 at 2018 6:17 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 06:17:48 -0400

You left out a lot of factors that would help us to provide insights. Bottom line is that you are a Marine 24/7. When asked for your ID you should identify yourself and show your ID. Again, too many parameters missing for a solid answer.

Response by SSG Dale London made Apr 16 at 2018 6:30 AM

SSG Dale London — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 06:30:18 -0400

When challenged by proper authority you are required to provide proof of status by showing your ID card. An NCO issuing an on-the-spot correction would, in my estimation, qualify as proper authority.
When the marine displayed an insubordinate and disrespectful attitude, and then compounded the matter by lying to an NCO (who I assume had properly identified him/herself), that young marine committed several offences under the UCMJ - two of which are fairly serious, court martial offences. If you can identify the marine in question, you ought to refer the matter to that marine's commanding officer by formal memorandum sent via your chain of command, up and over the top and back down so it will not be swept under the carpet.
Sounds to me like this marine doesn't want to be a marine. Perhaps the Corps should accommodate him, with a stop at the brig on the way out.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2018 6:31 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 06:31:34 -0400

The difficult part is finding what unit the Marine is in. And really all you can do is talk to the commander team and inform him/her of what happened. Ultimately it’s up to the commander to deside what happens. It could be article 91 and 92 under NJP or it could be 10 push-ups. When on active duty you are on active duty 24/7.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2018 7:02 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 07:02:17 -0400

The SgtMaj always knows, and if not he knows where to find out. The BN Legal folks or Legal Services at CLG can answer by the book as well. The problem will be locating the offender. My guess would be that you are on duty 24/7, and when asked to show ID you should. Charging SNM will depend on how the SSgt presented himself, and locating SNM. The closest I got to this was in Greece. A Marine was trashed in broad daylight. Not a crime unless you're acting up, which he was. I showed him and his buddys my ID and gave them a lawful order to escort him back aboard ship, before he got himself in trouble. I'm not sure he even remembered it the next day, because at the time he was even belligerent to me. I discounted it to cheap beer and ouzo, but at least he didn't wake up in jail or not at all the next day. I checked the Liberty Log when I boarded later and verified that he was in fact aboard. Case closed.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2018 2:12 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 14:12:42 -0400

I would tell them "You show your CAC I'll show you mine." If THEY refuse then I'll walk away because no one should have an issue showing their military ID if they claim to be a SNCO.

Response by SGM Jeff Bullard made Sep 20 at 2020 8:45 PM

SGM Jeff Bullard — Sun, 20 Sep 2020 20:45:40 -0400

So my question is, what where you doing to where you felt like you should lie about your status?

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Mar 27 at 2021 1:04 AM

SMSgt Bob Wilson — Sat, 27 Mar 2021 01:04:55 -0400

On the military installation, show your ID card; off the installation, walk away. Don't lie, just walk away.