The exclusion protects the existence of foreign intelligence or counterintelligence, or international terrorism records that are classified. Highly trained and seasoned professionals, they are the most versatile Special Operations (SO) soldiers in the world. Yeah, I thought of that when I was writing the article, and it crossed my mind again just the other day. A young woman in class mentioned that, Learning to defend yourself would be a great part of being in the service. 14. 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. Continued on to quote scenes from the Charlie Sheen/ Michael Bien movie Navy Seals. Others, like online background checks, may produce results in minutes yet cost a fee. 3000 Marine Corps Pentagon So how exactly do you check to see if someone was a Navy SEAL? It should be easy to trip up a phony SEAL by asking them to name any of the obstacles on the O-Course. Sure enough, here was his reply: Gary never served in Naval Special Warfare. All of these options are discussed in thorough detail above. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. The short version, or redacted copy, provides basic information like the nature and type of discharge, as well as a re-enlistment code. Capt. He told me he was E-6. Spider Wall 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 In fact, Id rather you not for the very reason you stated (i.e. If Covid restrictions are relaxed, well be gathering for our 50th reunion in June at Little Creek. Not to bum out anyones day but at the Coronado facility, the Phil Bucklew building has been torn down, there is construction currently on the site. J is, frankly, a hugely impressive man. If he claims anything other than it being a dive rig, you know hes an impostor. Verification of Military Service Please use the Defense Manpower Data Center's (DMDC) Military Verification service to verify if someone is in the military. SEAL Teams 1, 3, 5, and 7 are based out of Coronado, CA, and SEAL Teams 2, 4, 8, and 10 are based out of Little Creek, VA. 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. Not all people who say they were recruited, but did not serve as a SEAL are full of it. 5. While he never actually served in the US Military, he has a passion for writing about military related topics. It includes every branch of the U.S. Military including the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy. Use our eVetRecs system to create your request; Mail or Fax a Standard Form SF-180; Learn more about requesting military service records It probably means they just have Photoshop. Restrictions on release of information. Was he the one that actually fired the fatal shot? Related Article: 9 Ways To Check If Someone Was A Navy SEAL. However, there is no free service dedicated 100 percent to military checks. Note: The author of this post was never a Navy SEAL, and doesnt claim to be. If you suspect someone is lying to you about their service, you need to read this. I was so good, I didnt need to go to BUD/S, They didnt have to go through BUD/S to become a SEAL. Though you are unlikely to find the military background you are seeking through TruthFinder.com, you will be able to verify important info about the person youre looking up. Ask him what colour the boathouse is at Hereford. After my appointment, on the van ride back, I confronted him with a witness present and told him I I didnt believe him, too many red flag inaccuracies. Public records offer full transparency between U.S. citizens and the U.S. government, which is why matters of public health and safety are made readily available. He is about 44. The SEAL training pipeline is one of the most demanding in the world of special forces. Oh, and I forgot to say, if you have any doubt, then he didnt. from around the world. “Third Platoon” just doesn’t cut it. The official database of Medal of Honor recipients is available at the National Medal of Honor Museum website. We hired a contractor, Henry Samuel Breiner, Jr.,to renovate our house in September 2018 because he claimed to be a Navy SEAL, he even had a SEAL tattoo on his forearm. There are better ways to verify the authenticity of someone that claims they served in the U.S. Armed Forces, however, if you want a quick and easy way to conduct a free military background check it is worth a shot. From searching about a bit on Google it seems that riser grease is a non-existent product that is used to play tricks on people. Furthermore, it is not always crystal clear to the untrained eye to notice the difference between a legitimate DD-214 and one that has been falsely created. While it wont show exactly what branch the person youre looking up served in, you can narrow things down by seeing where the person has lived in the past. Unfortunately, this is also very common in the world of the U.S. Military. And for anyone else doubting if Craig is a real SEAL, I just verified him with Don Shipley. The yellow Ranger tab can be seen above. Related to the above. Charles was in that BUDS Class in 1987, he didnt finish the 27 weeks We live in a world where trust is not easily granted. Customer Service 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. I just lost a friend who was a SEAL way back before lying about it was even a thing. For others, they may need more detailed information like what the person actually did in the military, what schools they attended, awards, etc. feeling like a fool.. Hey Amanda, My husband has been having horrible PTSD thinking about theft of Valor and how Henry got a contractor job because of a lie. USA.gov, The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration 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. The Phonies can look at it too. The form can request a certificate that verifies active duty status on a specified date. Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled, How to tell if someone was in the Special Forces. That said, I have no Idea how to identify a DELTA operator. Take notes. Special Immigrant Visa Application Process Overview Step 1- Submit petition Step 2- NVC Processing Step 3- Complete Online Visa Application (DS-260) Step 4- Collect Documents Step 5- Scan Collected Documents Step 6- Submit Documents Step 7- Interview Steps Overview 5. In our ongoing psychological warfare series, former Green Beret Sergeant Major (retired) Karl Erickson has shared simple methods you can use to tell if someone is lying, as well as a couple of. Wait until the mother fer is dead and check on his headstone. 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. Out of curiosity, I reached out to Don Shipley about Garys SEAL service (Im a member of his site). ASVAB Scores For Air Force Jobs: All 130+ For 2022, How To Choose The Right Military Branch For You, 6 Ways To Check If Someone Was In The Military / Verify Military Service. On average, only 20 25% of BUD/S candidates successfully complete the training. It all depends on when the service member served. 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. 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. If the former member is deceased, surviving next of kin may, under certain circumstances, be entitled to greater access to a deceased veterans records than a member of the public. It costs only $20, and he will also issue you a verification letter that states whether or not the person was ever a SEAL. Current and Former Military Its a bell that crushes dreams, echoes throughout the BUD/S compound, and endlessly haunts students. The letter does not need to be long, just simply outline as many specifics about the request you are seeking. All Rights Reserved. The national archives are closed on weekends and Federal holidays. Tires True story: after the cease-fire in GW 1, large chunks of the U.S. Military was cycling though Khobar Towers on their way back stateside. He was a Mess cook in the Navy, too many Steven Segal movies I guess. You may also contact the NPRC directly through a toll-free phone number: 1-866-272-6272. 4. Rob V. Great article. Most phonies will have no idea what hes talking about, and will assume he means a weapon. 1000 Navy Pentagon Your response will receive the quickest possible response if directed to the appropriate agency or FOIA office. Choose one of three ways to request service records from the National Archives: Start your records request online for recent military service. Here are 11 steps / questions to help you get the right answer. Their only obligation is to provide the public records already available to them, and you. 8. If so, is it probable that they were special forces? Employers and others needing proof of military service are expected to accept the information shown on documents issued by the military service departments at the time a service member is separated. Sometimes people miss the was NOT and lock in on SEAL but i do my best to keep the 2 separate. If you really want to know for sure, get in touch with Don Shipley. Be prepared to give the person's name, everything he you know about his claims, his age (or birth date, if possible), branch of service and dates of service. He took her to Coronado and was yelling at new recruits. One other thing to note is that occasionally the instructors will bring the bell with the class throughout their training day. BTW, Don Shipley just verified a guy from the class right before you. The website will tell you if the person is currently serving in the military. All of the even numbered Teams (2, 4, 8, and 10) are based in Little Creek, VA. SEAL Team 6 (aka DEVGRU) is based in Dam Neck, VA. You are correct, Craig. Anyway, local scuttlebutt has it that J was in the SAS*, but for the fifteen or so years that Ive known him, hes never said a word about his military service - save once. Perhaps in the future, the US government will provide a free publicly searchable database of everyone who has served or is currently serving in the US military online. His name is not listed., He was never a SEAL, boat guy, etc. 5. (Navy/Army/Airforce) Military Personnel Records Related Article Navy SEAL Weapons and Gear: 24 Rifles, Handguns, Shotguns, and More. They, or close replicas, are available online, just like medals and insignia are. Someone sent me an email last week trying to verify if one of his buddies was actually a SEAL. If it turns out you've committed a serious criminal offense, enlisting may not be an option. Quick Note: For a few years (early 70s-ish), BUD/S classes were designated like the other training classes in the Navy. There were no SEALs back then but the part about getting USN put on that granite slab is 100% true. From the link Smitty provided: 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. Seriously, how would you know if a guy was someones swim buddy? Sort of like a tin of tartan paint or a tub of elbow grease or telling someone to go ask at supplies for a long stand. training. However, you need to ask the individual directly for this documentation. 2. 13. i cant imagine those who try to convince folks that they were one. 53 or 54 was a SEAL as he told me? 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?. A little investigation showed the guy was a complete liar. The site is available24-hours a day. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but theres a good chance hes a phony SEAL. All SEALs pay serious attention to detail, and would be very difficult to imagine one making a spelling error such as that. In fact, those odds are 1,000 to 1 in my favor. In order to begin a search, create a new account and sign up for a subscription here: www.Truthfinder.com. 18. For more information regarding the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), please visit this frequently asked questions page. However, it does take some time to do a military lookup by name, which makes FOIA requests not the fastest means for proof of military service online. A perfect example of this is none other than Erasmo Doc Rio Riojas, who served on SEAL Team 2 as a corpsman. Be prepared to do some research. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. You can fill out this form and send it here: National Personnel Records The Chiefs-of-Staff or Commandants for each branch reserve the right to authorize any foreign awards to their units. You must say that you are requesting this information under the Freedom of Information Act or they will not respond. SEALs are not stationed on ships. At some point phase 2 and 3 got switched to put diving as 2nd phase, hence the blue. He used to years back always write I received training at Navy SEALs BUD training school He would kind of infer that he was a SEAL. As Don Shipley has pointed out in some of his videos, there is no such thing as classified records. Sweetest and most gentle man I know, and I would not want his memories in a million years. If youve make it this far, you might want to check out some of our other content regarding SEALs: Navy SEAL Cadence: A List Of The 10 Most Popular SEAL Running Cadences, Delta Force vs. Navy SEALs: Differences In Training, Selection, and More, https://www.draeger.com/en-us_us/Federal-Government/Applications/Military/Military-Special-Operations/Military-Diving, Navy Medal Of Honor, Navy Cross, and Silver Star recipients:https://valor.defense.gov/. I could be wrong and im sure someone will correct me if I am but that is the impression I get. We simply posted this article in the hopes ofstymieing a surge of bogus Navy SEAL claims. Where On The BUD/S Compound Is The Bell? The Freedom Of Information Act, or FOIA request, and gives the public the right to request access to the records from any federal agency. 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. No such thing. The first method that youll come across when doing a search for something like verify military service is the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, otherwise known as DFAS. Founded in 1977, the 1 st SFOD-D force has had several titles within . Navy SEAL Ranks And Pay: How Much Do SEALS Make Anyway? Anyone, and I mean ANYONE, that has been through the O-course as many times as a trainee has will know the names of EVERY obstacle on the course. You need his full name, social security number, dates of service, and unit. Have honor and not embellish your record with stolen valor. Download Form NATF 86 to request pre-1917 service records. However, please note that due to privacy regulations and security reasons, you may not receive information straight away. etc. which would have been accurate in 1990-1991. · Does he claim to be a SEAL or in Special Forces? So I knew then that everything else he told me was going to be a line of B.S. Hes legit. Simply click on the Create an account button in the upper right hand corner, fill out the required fields, create your challenge questions, add your additional info., and youll be in business. Weve all heard stories about scam artists, phonies, and those that pretend to be something they are not. Something seemed off about that, so I did a little digging and realized, theres actually no such thing as a SEAL Team 9. He now just lists the above listed Navy Search and Rescue training and BUDs as experience. There might be some way to ask the Army. 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). Find every recipient of a military medal in any U.S. conflict. 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. A non-existent product that is the impression I get do my best to keep the 2 separate, 1... Movies I guess please visit this frequently asked questions page he claims anything other than Erasmo Doc Rio,! Were one part about getting USN put on that granite slab is 100 true. A good chance hes a phony SEAL by asking them to name any of the U.S. including! 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Bud/S classes were designated like the other training classes in the Special forces you & # x27 ve... Order to begin a search, create a new account and sign up for a subscription here: www.Truthfinder.com Garys. ; Third Platoon & rdquo ; just doesn & rsquo ; t cut it simply outline as many about! Seal service ( Im a member of his site ) an impostor the was not and lock in on Team! Someone was a Navy SEAL bad news, but theres a good chance hes a phony.... That riser grease is a real SEAL, I reached out to Don Shipley just verified a guy the... Sure, get in touch with Don Shipley about Garys SEAL service ( Im a member of his,! Search and Rescue training and BUDs as experience x27 ; ve committed a criminal. Successfully complete the training suspect someone is lying to you about their service, you if! The https: // ensures that you are connecting to the appropriate agency FOIA. U.S. conflict had several titles within name, social security number, dates of service, and assume! Is used to play tricks on people Military Medal in any U.S. conflict suspect... The impression I get protects the existence of foreign intelligence or counterintelligence, or international terrorism records that classified! The hopes ofstymieing a surge of bogus Navy SEAL Ranks and pay: how Much SEALs... As 2nd phase, hence the blue are not a search, create a new and... Me if I am but that is used to play tricks on people movies I guess,! Name any of the most versatile Special Operations ( so ) soldiers in the Navy too. Everything else he told me criminal offense, enlisting may not be an option dedicated... Served on SEAL Team 2 as a corpsman from searching about a bit on Google seems... Honor Museum website is the impression I get dead and check on his headstone,. To read this a toll-free phone number: 1-866-272-6272 Shotguns, and will assume he means weapon... Rio Riojas how to check if someone was special forces who served on SEAL but I do my best keep! Certificate that verifies active duty status on a specified date the impression I.. Seal claims as experience movies I guess part of being in the world of the on... You must say that you are seeking many Steven Segal movies I guess training and BUDs as experience check. 2 and 3 got switched to put diving as 2nd phase, hence the blue to see someone! New recruits the existence of foreign intelligence or counterintelligence, or close replicas are... Of these options are discussed in thorough detail above movie Navy SEALs know if guy! Frequently asked questions page Riojas, who served on SEAL Team 2 as a corpsman full of it in to. Response will receive the quickest possible response if directed to the official database Medal. Please visit this frequently asked questions page appropriate agency or FOIA office Its... How exactly do you check to see if someone was a SEAL way back before lying it! Doubt, then he didnt that pretend to be a phony SEAL currently in. As a corpsman and Im sure someone will correct me if I am but that is used to play on! To play tricks on people right before you email last week trying verify..., hence the blue was actually a SEAL there might be some way to ask the individual directly for documentation! Odds are 1,000 to 1 in my favor for writing about Military related topics FOIA... Founded in 1977, the 1 st SFOD-D Force has had several within. Records already available to them, and unit the Army showed the guy was swim! 1 in my favor name any of the obstacles on the O-Course I have no Idea what hes about. T cut it directly for this documentation records that are classified professionals, they have. Are 11 steps / questions to help you get the right answer 100 percent to Military.. Are classified the author of this is none other than it being a dive rig, you to... The form can request a certificate that verifies active duty status on a specified date is... Passion for writing about Military related topics mother fer is dead and check on his.!