# Is there a way to verify a person was a member of the UN Peacekeepers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 12, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556 "2012-10-12T19:52:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![temp\_user](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@temp\_user](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/temp_user)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556/1 "2012-10-12T19:52:33Z")
I have a brother in law who bounced around many jobs before finding a job as a police officer. Before that, we all knew he had enlisted in the army and was discharged - I can’t remember if the reason was a bad knee or asthma, but it was something like that. After he took a job as a police office, his army story changed. He was not discharged, but instead was culled from the rest of the recruits for a job as a UN Peacekeeper (one of the blue helmets, I guess) and spent some time in Somalia. Because he accepted this UN position, he had to forfeit his usual army stuff like the G.I. Bill, medical assistance from the V.A., etc. He has kept this from his family and his wife’s family, so AFAIK only he and his wife know. I know because my sister in law told my wife. To me, this story reeks. The scenario I imagine is this: he was discharged for knees/asthma as in the original story, he takes a job as a police officer where many officers are probably former veterans, he concocts this new story to put on a good face among his police officer peers, and tries it out on my sister in law first for believability or to see if it sticks/work out the kinks in the story before he tries it on his peers or to “let her in on it” in case one of his officer buddies brings it up in her company. Is there a way to confirm someone’s armed services records? If he was a part of the UN forces, would there be a way to verify that? How does one become a member of the UN forces (I doubt they are culled from a bunch of schmoes in basic training, but I don’t know that)? I find it fascinating that someone would take this route. ---
**Author:** ![Shmendrik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shmendrik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shmendrik)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556/2 "2012-10-12T19:56:42Z")
> [@temp\_user](#): > > I have a brother in law who bounced around many jobs before finding a job as a police officer. Before that, we all knew he had enlisted in the army and was discharged - I can’t remember if the reason was a bad knee or asthma, but it was something like that. After he took a job as a police office, his army story changed. He was not discharged, but instead was culled from the rest of the recruits for a job as a UN Peacekeeper (one of the blue helmets, I guess) and spent some time in Somalia. Because he accepted this UN position, he had to forfeit his usual army stuff like the G.I. Bill, medical assistance from the V.A., etc. He has kept this from his family and his wife’s family, so AFAIK only he and his wife know. I know because my sister in law told my wife. > > To me, this story reeks. The scenario I imagine is this: he was discharged for knees/asthma as in the original story, he takes a job as a police officer where many officers are probably former veterans, he concocts this new story to put on a good face among his police officer peers, and tries it out on my sister in law first for believability or to see if it sticks/work out the kinks in the story before he tries it on his peers or to “let her in on it” in case one of his officer buddies brings it up in her company. > > Is there a way to confirm someone’s armed services records? If he was a part of the UN forces, would there be a way to verify that? How does one become a member of the UN forces (I doubt they are culled from a bunch of schmoes in basic training, but I don’t know that)? I find it fascinating that someone would take this route. There’s no such thing as UN forces, as such. > [@wikipedia](#): > > Most of these operations are established and implemented by the United Nations itself, with troops serving under UN operational control. In these cases, peacekeepers remain members of their respective armed forces, and do not constitute an independent “UN army”, as the UN does not have such a force. In cases where direct UN involvement is not considered appropriate or feasible, the Council authorizes regional organizations such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Economic Community of West African States, or coalitions of willing countries to undertake peacekeeping or peace-enforcement tasks. ---
**Author:** ![Xgemina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/b5e925/32.png) [@Xgemina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xgemina)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2012, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556/3 "2012-10-12T20:12:29Z")
No enlisted soldier (or officer) is individually selected to be an UN Peacekeeper. You would be deployed along with your unit. Much like the MFO (Multinational Force and Observers) where the US has an infantry and support battalions deployed in the Sinai. Though, with the MFO you wear an orange beret. ---
**Author:** ![temp\_user](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@temp\_user](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/temp_user)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556/4 "2012-10-12T20:19:24Z")
Yeah, I figured it was pretty much bunk. It’s just a damn weird card to play. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2012, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556/5 "2012-10-12T20:48:51Z")
As **Xgemina** says, UN peacekeepers are just ordinary military units assigned to peacekeeping duties by various countries at the request of the UN, and operating according to a UN resolution. They are still soldiers of their respective countries and are entitled to whatever pay and benefits any other soldiers get. ---
**Author:** ![Clementine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8dc957/32.png) [@Clementine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clementine)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2012, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556/6 "2012-10-12T20:49:01Z")
That’s just odd. Is it possible he was trying to hide being dishonorably discharged? If I understand correctly, dishonorably discharged people won’t get the GI Bill assistance with education, but they may still be eligible for VA medical care. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2012, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556/7 "2012-10-12T21:07:49Z")
A lot of military records are public records. As stated above the UN story is bullshit. If you feel he is lying and especially if he is getting monetary gain from it try the following link. This page investigates stolen valor claims. [http://guardianofvalor.com/](http://guardianofvalor.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2012, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556/8 "2012-10-12T21:22:24Z")
It might be fun to challenge his story to see how far he will spin out the lies. Let’s see – there will be a “secret” _actual_ UN Army. Or maybe the UN Army will turn out to be his cover story for being in a CIA covert ops team! I only suggest you do this when he is not wearing his gun. ---
**Author:** ![Szlater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Szlater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Szlater)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2012, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556/9 "2012-10-12T21:25:23Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > “secret” _actual_ UN Army. You know too much! _double-tap_ ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2012, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556/10 "2012-10-12T21:56:48Z")
If he were in the U.K., it would be immediately recognised as total bollocks. Here it’s regular forces that get sent out. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2012, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556/11 "2012-10-12T22:36:24Z")
Plus, has the US ever contributed peace-keeping troops to the UN? I thought the US has not, because it usually has some sort of involvement in disputes around the world (that super-power thing), and so is not considered distant enough to contribute to a peace-keeper force. ---
**Author:** ![Shmendrik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shmendrik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shmendrik)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2012, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556/12 "2012-10-12T22:52:54Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Plus, has the US ever contributed peace-keeping troops to the UN? Yes. I’m having a hard time finding the statistics in an easily accessible format, but if you look through the documents [here](http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/resources/statistics/contributors_archive.shtml) you’ll find that the US has contributed significant amounts of troops to UN peacekeeping missions. ---
**Author:** ![Szlater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Szlater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Szlater)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2012, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556/13 "2012-10-12T23:15:45Z")
> [@Shmendrik](#): > > Yes. > > I’m having a hard time finding the statistics in an easily accessible format, but if you look through the documents [here](http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/resources/statistics/contributors_archive.shtml) you’ll find that the US has contributed significant amounts of troops to UN peacekeeping missions. Blue bereted missions? In August 2012 I see the US contributed a grand total of 20 troops. ---
**Author:** ![temp\_user](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@temp\_user](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/temp_user)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2012, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556/14 "2012-10-12T23:36:50Z")
> [@Clementine](#): > > That’s just odd. Is it possible he was trying to hide being dishonorably discharged? If I understand correctly, dishonorably discharged people won’t get the GI Bill assistance with education, but they may still be eligible for VA medical care. We all knew of his discharge, so it’s not to impress us. We think it might be to impress his cop friends, but I have no way of knowing if he has tried it in them. Surely they would see through it. ---
**Author:** ![temp\_user](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@temp\_user](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/temp_user)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2012, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556/15 "2012-10-12T23:38:46Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > It might be fun to challenge his story to see how far he will spin out the lies. Let’s see – there will be a “secret” _actual_ UN Army. Or maybe the UN Army will turn out to be his cover story for being in a CIA covert ops team! > > I only suggest you do this when he is not wearing his gun. Since he has broken his hands on suspects faces more than once, I do not think I will personally challenge him on it at all. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2012, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556/16 "2012-10-13T09:36:20Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > If he were in the U.K., it would be immediately recognised as total bollocks. Here it’s regular forces that get sent out. It’s the same here in Canada. I know two guys who have served as UN peacekeepers; in each case, their Canadian Forces unit was assigned, and as members of the unit, my friends went. At all times, they were Canadian Forces (CF) soldiers, with CF pay, benefits, pension, and so on. They never belonged to a “UN Army.” ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2012, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556/17 "2012-10-13T09:40:18Z")
I was a UN Peacekeeper until I met my wife…er…Morgan Fairchild…that’s the ticket. ---
**Author:** ![Donnerwetter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2012, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556/18 "2012-10-13T10:04:49Z")
I don’t understand why he would make up a story about having been a UN peace keeper since that isn’t really a tough guy/macho thing. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2012, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556/19 "2012-10-13T10:56:35Z")
UN Peacekeepers are drawn from member countries standing armed forces. While on occasion individuals may be brought in to serve, usually the forces are composed of units and formations from member countries. So if the US has a commitment to send an infantry battalion to say the Congo, they will send an infantry battalion from the US military. These are usually given a designation by the UN as" US Battalion". Lets say[1/87 Infantry Battalion](http://www.drum.army.mil/1stBCT/Pages/1-87InfantryBn_lvl2.aspx) gets sent, it serves as “US Battalion” Congo. Say after a year, it is recalled and [3/5 Marines](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3rd_Battalion_5th_Marines) is sent in its stead. It will now assume the duties and designation of “US Battalion”. The point is that you become a UN Peacekeeper if you are assigned to a unit or formation which is sent on such duties. Not otherwise, except in rare cases, almost always involving specialists of some kind. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2012, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556/20 "2012-10-13T11:27:57Z")
> [@temp\_user](#): > > Since he has broken his hands on suspects faces more than once, I do not think I will personally challenge him on it at all. More than once? Talk about a slow learner. You don’t hit the hard parts with your hands. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-verify-a-person-was-a-member-of-the-un-peacekeepers/637556.md?page=2)