Military Service?

[DShortt]

First line may not be correct.

Second line is correct although he may not have the original or a copy.

DD214's from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam are notorious for being incomplete and/or containing errors. So they may not answer any questions you have. Any service member can easily obtain a copy of their DD214 and service records, although it may take a few weeks or months.

It was heavily emphasized upon my discharge that the DD214 was something that was extremely important and to carefully guard it.
I would be highly suspicious of someone making claims that sounded dubious and couldn't produce some form of military ID.

People have no problem lying for their own benefit. You can't make family members listen but you can choose to stay away anytime a liar is present.

 

[Eagle Six]

It was heavily emphasized upon my discharge that the DD214 was something that was extremely important and to carefully guard it.
I would be highly suspicious of someone making claims that sounded dubious and couldn't produce some form of military ID.

People have no problem lying for their own benefit. You can't make family members listen but you can choose to stay away anytime a liar is present.

You don't have to guard your DD214 carefully, although there is certainly nothing wrong with that. The fact is you can get a copy and a copy is acceptable. The DOD has the record to verify your DD214 copy. Although I have an original (which by the way is a carbon copy), I don't remember ever using it, I have always provided a photo copy.

"I would be highly suspicious of someone making claims that sounded dubious and couldn't produce some form of military ID." I would as well. However asking someone to show it is as much as saying you don't trust them and you want proof. However, there are other ways to get people to voluntarily show it which will prevent them putting up their guard. The point I was making is, not all claims a veteran may make about what he/she did while in service probably aren't on his/her DD214, especially if they were infantry in Vietnam in the US Army. And, for the record, I hate a wannabe and have exposed more than a few. I do it with caution and offer the benefit of the doubt. When I have researched enough I am absolutely positive I have no regrets calling them out. Between 1968 and 2007 I didn't have any form of military ID. I have always had a DD214 since 1967.

"People have no problem lying for their own benefit. You can't make family members listen but you can choose to stay away anytime a liar is present." I have no idea what this is in reference too, but I think I agree with you!

 

[jackieschmidt]

If he served, he will have a DD-214. If you loose it, you can get a copy.

As a Draftee, I did not get my DD-214 until my total 6 years of service were up. That included 2 years active, 2 years ready reserve, and 2 years standby.

But that was in the 1960’s. I think a lot of things changed after that era, the Draft was did away with and we went to an all voluntary service.

 

[Charliemac]

When I meet someone who said they were a veteran I usually ask what branch then what unit and what their job was. If they don't spit it out I start to wonder.

 

[DShortt]

You don't have to guard your DD214 carefully, although there is certainly nothing wrong with that. The fact is you can get a copy and a copy is acceptable. The DOD has the record to verify your DD214 copy. Although I have an original (which by the way is a carbon copy), I don't remember ever using it, I have always provided a photo copy.

"I would be highly suspicious of someone making claims that sounded dubious and couldn't produce some form of military ID." I would as well. However asking someone to show it is as much as saying you don't trust them and you want proof. However, there are other ways to get people to voluntarily show it which will prevent them putting up their guard. The point I was making is, not all claims a veteran may make about what he/she did while in service probably aren't on his/her DD214, especially if they were infantry in Vietnam in the US Army. And, for the record, I hate a wannabe and have exposed more than a few. I do it with caution and offer the benefit of the doubt. When I have researched enough I am absolutely positive I have no regrets calling them out. Between 1968 and 2007 I didn't have any form of military ID. I have always had a DD214 since 1967.

"People have no problem lying for their own benefit. You can't make family members listen but you can choose to stay away anytime a liar is present." I have no idea what this is in reference too, but I think I agree with you!

I have my DD214 and my reserve ID card. I've carefully stored them because as a Gulf War vet I thought it likely I'd have medical issues at some point. Like you, I've not needed to show either one to anyone yet but thus far I've not needed to claim any VA benefits apart from a VA loan for my first home.

I hold a very dim view of those who steal Valor. There are Vietnam Nam vets, Korea vets, Gulf War vets and Afghanistan vets in my family. Many have medical related issues that they suffer with daily. To attempt to identify with those groups.......

well if people like that were on fire I'd not piss on them.

 

[M-61]

the Draft was did away with and we went to an all voluntary service.

No. The draft is still there and 18-25 year olds still have to register. They just don’t draft people at this time.

I enlisted at 17. After 4 years active and returning from Vietnam I received a letter from the draft board threatening me for having never registered for the draft. If I didn’t report immediately to Schemerhorn Street in Brooklyn I was going to jail or be shot, something to that effect.
I never had a good attitude and it used to bother me. After Vietnam I never worried about it to this day. I took the letter and my DD214 and walked to the subway. My guess is there is some site members that don’t know that part of Brooklyn. It was a total shit hole gang ridden cesspool. It’s worse now. There was a fat Sgt. at the desk, who as of the week before I outranked. I put the threatening letter down first. Actually slammed it down. Remember I had just returned to the world the week before so I was light by about 45 pounds. But the balls to brains ratio was really off. Gave him my DD214 after enjoying his rant. Had him address me by my rank and demanded the subway token (15 cents then, now $2.95) for my subway ride home. They did give me draft card classification 4A.
All I know is I returned to a world unlike what I had left. Never found it since.

 

[M-61]

“While the draft ended after the Vietnam War when the U.S. moved to the current all-volunteer military, the Selective Service System remains in place if needed to maintain national security. The mandatory registration of all male civilians aged 18 to 25 ensures that the draft can quickly be resumed if needed.”

 

[6Creed73]

It was heavily emphasized upon my discharge that the DD214 was something that was extremely important and to carefully guard it.
I would be highly suspicious of someone making claims that sounded dubious and couldn't produce some form of military ID.

People have no problem lying for their own benefit. You can't make family members listen but you can choose to stay away anytime a liar is present.

I was told to register my DD-214 with the county clerks office when I got home, I thought everyone did that, but I guess not. While I was there, I got several stamped "official" copies to keep at home. I've only had to produce if a couple times for VA loan purposes.

But I agree, I'd be suspicious of anyone who couldn't produce some form of ID whether it's a DD-214 or VA ID.

 

[Eagle Six]

The DD214 isn't a form of identification, it's purpose is information. It doesn't have fingerprints or a photo. To be of value it has to be included with an official government ID, such as the VA ID card. And, that card belong to the US Government, we just get to borrow it!!

 

[ISS]

Simple way to check. Ask him what his MOS was. Military Occupation Specialty (Job)

ISS

 

[RKS]

Need a little help here in trying to determine someone's military service background.... Is there a website I can go to that will help verify his service in the military, so I can put some of this to rest?

You can file a FOIA without his authorization for basic information: https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/ompf-access-public

This page shows what information you would receive on this type of request:

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and The Privacy Act

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) FOIA and Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF) FOIA and Official Personnel Folders (OPF) The Privacy Act The following information pertains to Federal (non-archival) records. Archival records, by contrast, are no longer the property of the agencies that...

www.archives.gov

 

[D Coots]

“While the draft ended after the Vietnam War when the U.S. moved to the current all-volunteer military, the Selective Service System remains in place if needed to maintain national security. The mandatory registration of all male civilians aged 18 to 25 ensures that the draft can quickly be resumed if needed.”

God help us.

 

[karrarararararar]

Simple way to check. Ask him what his MOS was. Military Occupation Specialty (Job)

ISS

The Air Force calls it AFSC, Air Force Specialty Code.

 

[DShortt]

God help us.

I'm surprised you weren't aware of this. Been going on consistently for decades.

 

[DShortt]

The Air Force calls it AFSC, Air Force Specialty Code.

Rate in the USN.

 

[D Coots]

I'm surprised you weren't aware of this. Been going on consistently for decades.

Yep, I knew it. The attitude of many of today's youth is what my reaction was about. Not all though.

 

[Cryhavoc]

Need a little help here in trying to determine someone's military service background. Here is a bit of the backstory and a full disclosure statement of myself. I have no personal military service. Lot's of my family have served but I have not, so I'm ignorant in some things military. In my circle there is a new guy making his way in, and he is saying some things about his military service that from my perspective just don't jive. In fact the red flag has gone up with me in regards to stolen valor. Is there a website I can go to that will help verify his service in the military, so I can put some of this to rest? Not trying to get into his personal life, I just feel compelled to have the basic question answered of did he really serve or is he blowing smoke?

If he's claiming to be disabled, he should have and be able to produce a VHIC, (Veterans Health Identification Card) On the card along with his photo, it should indicate if his disability is "Service Connected" it will also show the following (if they apply) Medal of Honor, Purple Heart and / or Former POW

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Navy/Vietnam 65 - 68. No MOS, only 'rating' as mentioned in the Navy at the time. So just asking a few simple questions about his time in service usually reveals if he's legit or not and is quite revealing if he claims to having served in the same branch as you did I can usually tell within three questions.

Being 76 yrs old now, it just amazes me just how many SEALS, Spec Ops, UDT guys I've encountered over the years, considering just how few of these guys there were back then. I just must have a knack for encountering true "men of action". lol

When I was discharged, I made a dozen copies of my DD214 and stashed them away with the original. Very glad I did.

And many guys have at least one pic of them in country or in service. Asking to see one is another sure way to tell. Here's one of mine:

 

[DShortt]

The Air Force calls it AFSC, Air Force Specialty Code.

Rate in the USN

Yep, I knew it. The attitude of many of today's youth is what my reaction was about. Not all though.

Right. I feel the same way.

It won't be long before people in this country will need a power toilet to suck the crap out of their butts because they'll be too lazy and dumb to do it themselves.

 

[M-61]

Rick, great pic.
No nothing about the Navy so I’ll ask, were you in the Brown water Navy?