What do you think about a retired Army E-6 73C who's running around telling everybody he was in Black ops?

SGT William McDonald — Mon, 10 May 2021 18:52:56 -0400

He's also claiming he has neck Arm and leg disabilities and runs around with braces on when he wants to impress people, yet he's a volunteer fireman and I've seen him mowing his lawn with no braces and not looking like he's in any pain.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made May 10 at 2021 7:03 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Mon, 10 May 2021 19:03:30 -0400

Some people have issues that come and go.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 10 at 2021 7:16 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 10 May 2021 19:16:34 -0400

Is he getting disability pay?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2021 1:14 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 May 2021 01:14:11 -0400

Notify the VA

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2021 9:12 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 May 2021 09:12:56 -0400

I think he's giving the rest of us Delta Force SEAL Rangers a bad name.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made May 11 at 2021 9:23 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Tue, 11 May 2021 09:23:43 -0400

What difference does it make to you? Seriously. Never allow someone else to live in your head, rent free. It is pretty obvious you have given this guy the power to affect you - stop doing that.

Take a deep breath, let it go, and move on with life.

As for injuries - not everyone shows their injuries - and not everyone in pain shows it.

I *live* at a 3 on the scale of 1-10. I wake up at a 3, I go to bed at a 3, I sit at a 3, I stand at a 3, etc. If I never go above a 3 all day (rarely) it has been an exceptionally good day. After a while, 3 becomes your new 0. Unless I "tweak" something, I will never APPEAR to be in pain - and even when I tweak it is a VERY quick grimace and then back to life. That doesn't mean I am NOT in pain.

Quit trying to judge his journey and road map, and worry about your own.

Response by SrA John Monette made May 11 at 2021 11:55 AM

SrA John Monette — Tue, 11 May 2021 11:55:51 -0400

you could always submit a tip to the VA
Complete and submit the Program Integrity Fraud, Waste and Abuse Complaint Form, VA Form 10-0500 via email to [login to see] . You can also download, print and return the form by mail or fax to the address and fax number included on the form. We will make every effort to keep all information we receive confidential.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made May 11 at 2021 12:32 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Tue, 11 May 2021 12:32:33 -0400

If this hero is not getting a monetary gain by his BS stories, it is totally legal. Someone could report him to the VA for being a fraud for not having the disabilities that he claimed..

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2021 2:12 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 May 2021 14:12:54 -0400

Is he benefitting financially? If not, then what can you do? Nothing.

Stolen Valor Act of 2013: "The law amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime for a person to claim they have served in the military, embellish their rank or fraudulently claim having received a valor award specified in the Act, with the intention of obtaining money, property, or other tangible benefit by convincing another that he or she received the award."

"The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 amends the federal criminal code to rewrite provisions relating to fraudulent claims about military service to subject to a fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both for an individual who, with intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit, fraudulently holds himself or herself out to be a recipient of:

Medal of Honor
Distinguished Service Cross
Navy Cross
Air Force Cross
Silver Star
Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Combat Action Ribbon
Combat Infantryman's Badge
Combat Action Badge
Combat Medical Badge
Combat Action Medal
Or any replacement or duplicate medal for such medal as authorized by law."

If he is claiming any of these medals to get money, property or some other tangible benefit, that is against the law. If he's just telling stories for clout, that's not illegal. There may be a state law that differs for Stolen Valor but I believe that's by state. I think those laws also state that there has to be some kind of benefit they receive from lying.

If I saw someone telling stories and I knew they were full of it, I'd probably be a smartass. Question them in front of other people. If they were benefitting in some way financially or some other tangible benefit, I'd then report it as violation of law.

Response by SrA John Monette made May 11 at 2021 2:24 PM

SrA John Monette — Tue, 11 May 2021 14:24:18 -0400

so he was in payroll? hazardous duty, to be sure. those paper cuts sting like a mf!!!!!

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made May 11 at 2021 8:06 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 11 May 2021 20:06:18 -0400

If you feel he is committing fraud to the VA report it.

Response by 1SG Joseph Dartey made May 11 at 2021 9:48 PM

1SG Joseph Dartey — Tue, 11 May 2021 21:48:20 -0400

They are called SAIs (Sorry ASS Individuals)!!

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made May 14 at 2021 4:16 PM

GySgt Kenneth Pepper — Fri, 14 May 2021 16:16:26 -0400

Every time he starts telling his stories act like you are having flashbacks to the old Viet Cong jungles in Afghanistan. Especially the time you had to fight an entire platoon of Russion Spec Naz while sneaking up on Osama Bin Ladin in Panama.
And be sure to show him the scar on your belly where the .50 cal round pierced your lower torso. Mine is huge. And hairy. Tell him you got a 90% disability rating for it.
Seriously bro, don't waste an ounce of your energy on fighting it. Play with it. Have fun. Literally recite an old Rambo movie as if you were the the title character. Complete with sound effects.
If you continue to upstage him at every turn he will either get the point and shut up, or he will continue to inflate his imaginary bullshit to levels that nobody will believe or even want to hear.
Either way, it will be interesting to watch. Keep us posted.