The color of the helmet is different for each phase: If the guy youre talking to cant answer a simple question like what color was your 2nd phase helmet?, then he likely wasnt a SEAL. Hell start dropping the SEAL bomb, and if you ask him what Team he was assigned to, he may say something like I was over at Team 2 in San Diego. Theyll say they have an Accommodation metal, instead of a Commendation Medal. Their only obligation is to provide the public records already available to them, and you. All Rights Reserved. Charles was in that BUDS Class in 1987, he didnt finish the 27 weeks Wait until the mother fer is dead and check on his headstone. J said (I paraphrase wildly here) Its understandable, there was no glory or glamour in Vietnam, I was there and it was a clusterfuck. R. Cherry (106). Bulls$%t. Kind of tarnishes your accuracy. Great comments gents. You need his full name, social security number, dates of service, and unit. If someone is claiming that, they are lying to you. Records Management Directorate If they tell you about it, they didnt do it. Rob V., you need to take a minute and think carefully about what you are doing, here. 63138. Please use the Defense Manpower Data Center's (DMDC)Military Verification serviceto verify if someone is in the military. Related Article BUD/S Class 234: Where Are They Now? Hey Delana, Each week he (and sometimes his wife Diane) call up phony Navy SEALs and confront them about their claims. I remember him telling me that he was training to be a navy seal. Class 52 was designated 7102 (the second class of 1971). If youre an American citizen that would like to search a military public records database, you have that right. Below is a simple step-by-step process for obtaining a valid FOIA request: There is no official government form that you need to fill out to make a FOIA request. In addition, the current BUD/S class is somewhere in the mid 340s, meaning BUD/S class 416 wont graduate for another 14 years or so. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Rob V. is the founder of OperationMilitaryKids.org. Operation Military Kids was founded to be a resource for teens and young adults who are interested in joining the military, but don't know where to begin. A quick and easy way to trip up a potential fake navy SEAL is to ask him something like: Is a Draeger a semi-auto or fully-auto weapon?. He noted that you really wouldnt want to use your military training on the street most soldiers dont learn useful amounts about non-lethal force, and killing a man is the worst thing youll ever do in your life. They pay bills online, buy . ET on EWTN: Holy Mass and Rosary on Thursday, April 13, 2023 - Thursday within the. We live in a world where trust is not easily granted. We were talking about Vietnam war movies and how that there were very few gung-ho ones compared to WWII. Everything below was thoroughly researched and checked for accuracy. The 75th Ranger Regiment "is . EDIT: I am not sure why I did not say this in the original response, but the simple way to do this is to ask for their DD-214. Download Form NATF 86 to request pre-1917 service records. TEST YOUR SKILLS Follow up with the Special Forces Assessment and Selection, a 24-day test of physical and mental stamina. If you need more info, just let me know. Food for thought. Copyright 2023 www.OperationMilitaryKids.org. It reports that peak calling time occurs between 10 am and 3 pm CST, Monday-Friday. Membership to his site also includes free and unlimited SEAL verification. Here are some common errors of DD-214 copies that are fake, or doctored up: If you have questions or concerned about the DD-214, you may also request to see the military ID card or Veteran ID card of the individual. The system shows this information in a signed printable letter format containing the Department of Defense seal. J is, frankly, a hugely impressive man. However, as of recently, they now require you to create an account to run any type of search. For starters, unless you know the social security number AND / OR the birth date of the person whose military status youre trying to verify, the search wont work. USA.gov, The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration You are correct, Craig. The same goes for a commanding officer, guys he might have served on a SEAL Team with, etc. Are there other resources where I can check his claims without spending money other than the FOIA? No such thing. So if he was 7th Special Forces Group, 2nd Battalion, Alpha Company it would be something like ODA # 721X. Short answer, yes AND no. It should be easy to trip up a phony SEAL by asking them to name any of the obstacles on the O-Course. Related Article Navy SEAL Ranks And Pay: How Much Do SEALS Make Anyway? He took her to Coronado and was yelling at new recruits. If you're trying to find out whether or not someone served in the military, here are 6 ways you can verify someone's military service. 2. Then remind them of Stolen Valor!! After knowing him as well as I did, I can spot a fake pretty easily. There might be some way to ask the Army. For this reason, its sometimes necessary to verify if someone actually served or is serving in the US military. How to tell if someone was in the Special Forces Factual Questions sweeteviljesus July 28, 2006, 8:19pm #1 I have an acquaintence who claims to have been in the Special Forces. The Stolen Valor Act of 2013, which has been hotly contested in the top US courts, makes it a federal crime to claim certain military awards, commendations, or medals, in return for personal or financial gain. SEALs are not stationed on ships. Write a letter to request records, following the directions and using the address under number 2 on this web page. As I mentioned earlier, there are a TON of guys claiming they were (or are) Navy SEALS. This is another common one. Print and fill out a Form SF 180. 8. Enrollment is voluntary as there is no comprehensive list of Purple Heart recipients, Similarly, the Hall of Valor project explicitly says, We are in the midst of a multi-year effort to identify recipients of Silver Star and below. As Don Shipley has pointed out in some of his videos, there is no such thing as classified records. Here are your answers to some other questions frequently asked about free military background checks and military lookup by name services: Unfortunately, there is no specific database that exists on the web as a people search only for members of the military. In order to contact the NPRC for more information, please call 314-801-0800. Since 1967, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has provided the public with the opportunity to request access to records for any federal agency, including the U.S. Military. Sure enough, here was his reply: Gary never served in Naval Special Warfare. For those service members that claim they received commendation medals such as a Purple Heart or Silver Star, there are available databases online that can verify this information. Doc is one of the most decorated SEALs of the Vietnam War, with 2 Bronze Stars and 5 Purple Hearts. Related Article: 9 Ways To Check If Someone Was A Navy SEAL. Its been pretty well established by multiple accounts that former SEAL Rob ONeill is the guy who shot UBL. Anyone who falsely claims to be a SEAL, Green Beret, Ranger or any other serviceman/woman should be held accountable. Thanks to these guys that served. The SEALS came to them and recruited them. You may request additional documentation by contacting the National Archives. Western special forces inside Ukraine, leak shows On Wednesday, the Washington Post published an interview with one of the members of the chatroom where the documents initially appeared. Unfortunately, there arent any public military database records that one can easily search online. The fourth digit is which team in the company, and they're usually broken down by specialty (Dive, HALO, mountain, etc.). As I mentioned earlier, there are 4 teams in Coronado (1, 3, 5, and 7), and 4 teams in Little Creek, Virginia (2, 4, 8, and 10). (Navy/Army/Airforce) Military Personnel Records Weaver Hooyah Logs The U.S. Military generally processes your request, searches for public records, then determines what (if any) information they are able to disclose. You can search for a recipient by name, as well as find out info like: It is important to note the website notes that the list of recipients is not entirely complete, so information regarding the military honor is not 100% verifiable. A former SEAL himself, Shipley used to run a Youtube channel called Phony Navy SEAL Of The Week. Use our eVetRecs system to create your request; Mail or Fax a Standard Form SF-180; Learn more about requesting military service records As Shipley has pointed out in several of his videos, these guys conjure up stories from movies. Jump To A Military Verification Service #1 - DFAS #2 - Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) Request #3 - National Personnel Records Center #4 - DD 214 or Military ID Card #5 - Commendation Medal Search #6 - Online Military Background Check Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) #1 - DFAS Thanks for that, R. Im sure the obstacles have changed over the years, as well as many other little things. (Including the alpha-numeric code). Having 6 kids at the time and a freshly broken femur, I declined. His name is not listed., He was never a SEAL, boat guy, etc. #2 Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) Request. It costs only $20, and he will also issue you a verification letter that states whether or not the person was ever a SEAL. In fact, those odds are 1,000 to 1 in my favor. Commandant (CG-611) The document is provided by the United States Department of Defense and is presented to the service member when he or she retires, is separated, or is discharged from active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. At one of the fast-food concession stands/picnic areas (the mess hall food was atrocioius at that time), I overheard a buncha wind dummies doing the whole HOORAH! Incidentally, he just said he was in the army when I asked whether or not he was employed. Phil P. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Rob V. is the founder of OperationMilitaryKids.org. For everyone who thinks their gun is safe because it's in your hands or on your belt: don't fool yourself. 1-86-NARA-NARA or 1-866-272-6272, National Archives in College Park, Maryland, World War II army records for West Parker who served 1943 to 1947, Battle February 7, 1966 between 101st ABN and NVA, Find answers to your research questions at, How to File a FOIA Request for Archival Records. Most of the Obstacle course was modified I believe in 1987. If a guy claiming to be a SEAL says he was the one who shot Osama Bin Laden, you can rest assured that youre likely talking to a fake. National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Pentagon to conduct internal review on access to classified documents in the wake of leak scandal, US, Australia to hold largest-ever Talisman Sabre military drills this summer, US Forces Korea commander warns sexual assailants: You are now the hunted, Accused documents leaker had highest security clearance, worked at intelligence gathering unit, Foul weather fails to deter crowds from Marine air stations open house in Japan, K-Town Now features the latest news from the Kaiserslautern Military Community. Right, which is why I said Not saying with 100% certainty that he isnt what he says he is, but just thought you should be aware. On a related note, did you know that the FBI says there are 1,000 Fake Navy SEALs for every real one? It really is that easy if you have the right attitude. If he says, for example, he was in the 30th Separate Brigade and he jumped into Afghanistan in 2005, look it up. Burma Bridge I despise these fake SEALS. I was part of a 3 man boat crew for SEAFOX, one of the many different spec war boats within the boat units (now called boat teams). Keep us posted Phil! The Army's Special Forces soldiers known as "Green Berets" are military legends for service members and civilians alike. If he claims anything other than it being a dive rig, you know hes an impostor. The National Personnel Records Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm, CST. Remember the part where Casey Ryback (Steven Seagal) punches Commander Krill (Gary Busey) after he spits in his soup? However, you need to ask the individual directly for this documentation. Yeah the only way youll be able to get info on that would be to contact the Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC) in San Diego and do a FOIA request. However, it does have some limitations, which well get into below. Ive done it seven times, and it gets worse afterwards every time; those guys were just there, doing their jobs, just like me. For those that are not able to attend NPRC in person, the national archives are also available to request online. The best way is to provide a DD-214 to the employer. Born in 1944. Take notes. Phone: 619-537-1133 6 Free Ways To Check If Someone Was In The Military / Verify Service. Additionally, theres no way the phonies are going to pull a fast one on Don Shipley. Where is the bell at the BUD/S training center anyway?. A young woman in class mentioned that, Learning to defend yourself would be a great part of being in the service. Related Article: 15 Best States For Military Retirees and Veterans. Yup no problem. Your email address will not be published. Have a survival mindset. Is there some way to know, like a coin or something? Yup hes legit. 13. FTR Drachillix has never served in the millitary. Find out about any fees for getting copies of these records. The site is secure. You can fill out this form and send it here: National Personnel Records Earn a promotion to Special Forces officer. 1 Archives Drive The website will tell you if the person is currently serving in the military. Department of StateCivilian Personnel Mgmt ServiceDTS Travel CenterSystem for Award Mgmt (SAM) Congressional/Legislation Spider Wall In the email, he stated that he served with SEAL Team 9. 10. Customer Service Weve all heard stories about scam artists, phonies, and those that pretend to be something they are not. Restrictions on release of information. The site is provided to anyone that would like more information regarding military personnel, medical, or health records. 53 or 54 was a SEAL as he told me? ), · What was his Military Occupational Specialty? My records are only accessible to the POTUS. People who have really been in special ops units dont talk about it. GET IN TOUCH Careers and Jobs Benefits Explore the Army Life in the Army Careers & Jobs Benefits How to Join LOGIN REGISTER APPLY GET IN TOUCH Explore the Army Reasons to Join What to Consider Youre chances of meeting a real life (living) Navy SEAL are about 1 in 3 million. He was definitely in the Army, but he is such a Walter Mitty type, I have great difficulty believing he was in SF. They will get you the answer or let you know where to find it. The national archives are closed on weekends and Federal holidays. If the guy claiming to be a SEAL doesnt know the name of the center, or even who Bucklew was, hes likely NOT a SEAL. After filling out and printing your FOIA request, you will then simply send it to the appropriate agency. Check if you are eligible for military tax benefits. he actually said id not find him on paper as there are multiple bounties on his head yet he seems to know every detail of SEAL life. A former SEAL himself, Shipley used to run a Youtube channel called "Phony Navy SEAL Of The Week". Operation Military Kids was founded to be a resource for teens and young adults who are interested in joining the military, but don't know where to begin. The simplest way would be to access the official website of the US Army and search for the soldier by name or specific identification number such as Social Security number, Service number or simply entering their full name. Unless you are the veteran, or have the signed authorization of the veteran, or a deceased veteran's next of kin, you will receive only limited information under the FOIA about his service in the U.S. armed forces. Doc Rios would be a famous example of this. He goes by Ballen, Debbie. R. T. P. Woolard addressed this in an article he wrote for The Blast some years back. Lastly, if you actually have this information and get the report, its lacking in detail. Military members can access their money from overseas. any way you can verify if JAMES KRAUSE, age approx. To join the U.S. military, whether as an officer or a private, requires a background check. If this is you, then you need to do whats known as a Freedom of Information Act Request, or FOIA. Is there a place I could go to see how many Frogmen that my Father knows are still alive? I just want to know if he did attend these trainings and did he become a SEAL also. Ask him what colour the boathouse is at Hereford. 11. The form can request a certificate that verifies active duty status on a specified date. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Whats The First Obstacle On The O-Course? There were no SEALs back then but the part about getting USN put on that granite slab is 100% true. Those kids work their asses off to achieve something that is a time honored tradition! Start with the six-week Special Forces Preparation Course focused on fundamentals like physical fitness and land navigation. thing. You can literally just write or type it out on a sheet of paper, however, it should contain some pertinent info. Try to include as much of the following info as possible: Then, you need to sign and date the letter. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but theres a good chance hes a phony SEAL. If you take nothing else away from this article, when in doubt, contact him. When a student DORs, hes instructed to ring the bell 3 times and place his helmet in the line of quitters. The U.S. Military processes requests in the order they were received. o If so, ask his class number. While the missions SEALs do can (and often are) be classified, the fact that someone was ever a Navy SEAL and/or attended BUD/S does not mean that their information isnt publicly available. Learn how to access older military records from the National Archives. However, there is NO such thing as a SEAL Team 9. Public records availability is still supported through pieces of legislation such as the Freedom of Information Act. All Rights Reserved. 3. There was that big stink about Wedding Crashers and people faking service experience, dont know if anything ever came of that. It is important to note that the FOIA does not require agencies to create new records for a request, conduct extra research regarding the inquiry, analyze data, or answer specific questions you have. The Naval Special Warfare Center, also known as the Phil H. Bucklew center after the father of US Naval Special Warfare. However, not everyone knows where the bell is. The FAX number to the center is 314-801-9195. April 6, 2023. While he never actually served in the US Military, he has a passion for writing about military related topics. Not happening. 6. I feel like its better to have the info out there and take the chance vs. keeping it under wraps. Certain pieces of information related to the military may not be made available because it is a matter of national security. A lot of this is correct, however in 1972 we wore green t-shirts, not white. The National Archives holds Federal military service records from the Revolutionary War to 1912 in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Military service records from WWI - present are held in the National Military Personnel Records Center (NPRC), in St. Louis, Missouri. And, our phase one helmets were red, no helmets at phase 2 (Underwater Swimmers School in Key West), Olive Drab at Ft Benning and any and all training afterwards. I cross checked it with another database (the Hall of Valor project) and the only two Robert Alexanders that received any commendations during the Vietnam War were a Robert Minter Alexander (Air Force) and a Robert Bruce Alexander (Marine Corps). Since even though my records clearly state I was a cook on a battleship, I am actually a seal team commander. ASVAB Scores For Air Force Jobs: All 130+ For 2022, How To Choose The Right Military Branch For You, 15 Best States For Military Retirees and Veterans, National Personnel Records Centers official website, https://valor.militarytimes.com/advanced-search, List Of 9 Army Patches And Their Meanings, Navy Grooming Standards: Hair, Beard, Mustache, and Nail Regulations, 6 Military Mottos For Each Branch Explained, 9 Best Guns For Hiking, Camping, & Backpacking for 2023, Step 4: Mail the form SF-180 to the National Personnel Records Center. Anyone who graduated from BUD/S, regardless of whether or not they were / are foreign enrolees, will be listed in the database. Theres an epidemic of phony SEALs in this country, and the odds are stacked in my favor that my suggestion is likely right. The only Robert Alexander that served in the Navy is a Robert Dean Alexander, who was awarded the purple heart for his actions in World War 2. Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets Yeah you dont need to post his name here. There are currently 2,450 active-duty Navy SEALs, and roughly 7,000 retired SEALs still alive. BUD/S is an unclassified school, no more classified that attending cooking school in the Navy. Check them out below. I dont see that Records Center providing a copy of that form to anyone who asks for it. However, there is no free service dedicated 100 percent to military checks. 6. Navy SEAL Ranks And Pay: How Much Do SEALS Make Anyway? We only know one speed: full throttle. TruthFinder.com is one of the most well-known background checks on the web. I had to ask before he would mention special forces. Have honor and not embellish your record with stolen valor. Related Article: 17 Famous Navy SEALs (and 3 Controversial Ones). What Is The Name Of The BUD/S Training Compound In Coronado? If he’s a phony, he will almost certainly not be willing to sign. Reasons include employment verification, checking the background of a relative (like a grandfather) or boyfriend / girlfriend. Below are 6 ways to verify someone's military service. Quiet, intelligent, and even now that he is not a young man, he exudes an aura of contained power, certainly sufficient to make him the last person that anybody would try to mess with. No SEAL has ever been taken prisoner of war. Though the video game might have been the worst of its era and universally considered the worst Mortal Kombat game, its concept is perfect for a slick espionage spy movie.Mortal Kombat: Special Forces could work as a spin-off movie, as it follows Jax as he attempts to find and bring down the Black Dragon, a fearless and brutal crime syndicate that is hired around the world to steal . Very neat guy. im obviously here because i feel everything ive been told is a lie. If youre looking to find out 100% if someone was a SEAL or not, Don Shipley is your guy. Just info to let you know I have personal knowledge. Here are the requirements to become an enlisted Soldier: Age: Between 17-35 years old Medical, Moral, Physical: Medically and physically fit, and in good moral standing Citizenship: A U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a valid Green Card Related Article 6 Best Navy SEAL Documentaries Of All Time. get a status update on a service records request, Directory of U.S. government agencies and departments. BTW, Don Shipley just verified a guy from the class right before you. The combat conditioning course was also added during that time frame to the San Clemente training area. We here at OMK have made a couple of sample FOIA request letters for your convenience, see them below: Click Here if youre a member of the news media looking to verify someones military records. The exclusion protects the existence of foreign intelligence or counterintelligence, or international terrorism records that are classified. It is actually a great idea for verification purposes, but as of now, no such thing exists. Release of information is subject to restrictions imposed by the military services consistent with Department of Defense regulations and the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act of 1974. If you dont have that info, youre out of luck. Typically the type of folks who make outrageous claims are goofball, loner John Wayne types - exactly the sort who are never selected for the organizations they claim to have belonged to.
how to check if someone was special forces