# Special Ops **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 24, 2023, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493 "2023-07-24T23:55:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![thefifinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@thefifinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thefifinator)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493/1 "2023-07-24T23:55:02Z")
I know a guy who claims he was special ops. I have my doubts. A few things he has told me. He wore vibram 5 finger shoes in combat (he said - when you are special ops the normal regulations don’t apply). When I asked him what kind of weapons he was trained in, he replied all weapons foreign and domestic. He claims he was PSYOP. I asked him what his typical load out was and he said his rifle was an AK 74. I asked him what his MOS was and he said PSYOP. Any help would be appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493/2 "2023-07-25T00:11:57Z")
You might find this a useful place to start: > **[Stolen Valor](http://www.stolenvalor.com/)** > > Stolen Valor. True stories of liars in violation of the Stolen Valor Act. Pretenders, liars and frauds claiming military honors they didn't earn. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493/3 "2023-07-25T00:19:21Z")
This too: > **[Military impostor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_impostor)** > > A military impostor is a person who makes false claims about their military service in civilian life. This includes claims by people that have never been in the military as well as lies or embellishments by genuine veterans. Some individuals who do this also wear privately obtained uniforms or medals which were never officially issued to them. > In British military slang, such impostors are called "Walts", based on James Thurber's fictional character, Walter Mitty, who daydreamed of being a war he... ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493/4 "2023-07-25T00:24:27Z")
Moderating: I’m not really seeing a debate here. Let’s move this thread to IMHO. Welcome to the SDMB forum, @thefifinator. ---
**Author:** ![Dissonance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Dissonance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dissonance)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493/5 "2023-07-25T00:28:20Z")
> [@thefifinator](#): > > I asked him what his typical load out was and he said his rifle was an AK 74. I take it you and your friend don’t live in one of the countries on this map colored in blue? [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/AK-74_Users.png) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/AK-74_Users.png) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493/6 "2023-07-25T00:38:56Z")
It really is kinda common for real US SF folks to carry enemy rifles. That has advantages once the shooting starts way back in their territory where SF folks operate. Do I think the OP’s bozo friend is real? Nope. But the “AK-74” line is not the tell. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493/7 "2023-07-25T02:16:02Z")
Usually it is a combination of incongruous or inconsistent, vague word salad that raises suspicion. A genuine operator can troubleshoot these guys in about 30 seconds. “Oh really. What unit were you assigned to at \_\_\_\_\_\_?” And then it all falls apart. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493/8 "2023-07-25T02:27:22Z")
Even simpler: If a guy brags to you about how he was special ops, all you need to know is… He wasn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493/9 "2023-07-25T03:15:00Z")
When I was in college, I told a bunch of women I was trying to impress that I was ex special forces. I did it for fun. I really didn’t think anyone would believe a 22 year old guy was special forces. I didn’t know shit about the military. And still my story was more believable than this one. Because at least one did believe me. Did I get laid for my fanciful efforts? I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493/10 "2023-07-25T03:18:48Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > It really is kinda common for real US SF folks to carry enemy rifles. That has advantages once the shooting starts way back in their territory where SF folks operate. What about clothes? Possibly he fought in Douchetoolastan: > He wore vibram 5 finger shoes in combat ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493/11 "2023-07-25T03:19:20Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Did I get laid for my fanciful efforts? I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you. - You can tell me. Then you’d have to find me. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493/12 "2023-07-25T03:28:59Z")
> [@thefifinator](#): > > A few things he has told me. He wore vibram 5 finger shoes in combat (he said - when you are special ops the normal regulations don’t apply). When I asked him what kind of weapons he was trained in, he replied all weapons foreign and domestic. He claims he was PSYOP. I asked him what his typical load out was and he said his rifle was an AK 74. I asked him what his MOS was and he said PSYOP. _I’m assuming you’re referring to someone in the United States, so my answer is informed by that assumption._ When is he pretending to have served? Those shoes came out in 2006. And, no, it’s quite doubtful that’s a thing with Special Operations. I can see zero benefit in wearing those over gear that is specifically designed for the environment in which one will be operating. To me, that line, “When you are in Special Operations, the rules do not apply”, is the biggest tell that he’s full of it. Yes, the rules of warfare apply even to SPECOPS & PSYOPS. On top of that, nobody on the planet is trained in “all weapons, foreign and domestic”. There are just far too many makes/models of weapons for that to be possible. Wikipedia has [this great explanation of Psychologial Operations for the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_operations_(United_States)). You will notice it has nothing to do with what your purported warrior seems to believe. “What was your MOS?” should have gotten you the response 37F (if Army) or 0521 for Marines. [Here is some great information of what 37F do and what is required to become a 37F](https://www.operationmilitarykids.org/army-psychological-operations-specialist-mos-37f/#:~:text=Army%20Psychological%20Operations%20Specialist%20(MOS%2037F)%20are%20responsible%20for%20researching,months%20that%20includes%20Airborne%20Training.). I wonder what his response would be if you ask him when he attended DLI? The USMC created 0521 in 2021. [Here is MARADMIN 499/21](https://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/2786889/solicitation-of-qualified-marines-for-lateral-move-into-the-psychological-opera/), the message announcing the MOS, what the requirements to earn that primary MOS are, and what 0521 do. The Navy and Air Force do not have MOS. The Navy has ratings for enlisted and branches for officers. The Air Force Specialty Codes for both enlisted and officers. From where I sit, on the other side of the planet, not to mention reality, of your acquaintance, the dude’s a liar. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493/13 "2023-07-25T03:40:07Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > When is he pretending to have served? Those shoes came out in 2006. And, no, it’s quite doubtful that’s a thing with Special Operations. I can see zero benefit in wearing those over gear that is specifically designed for the environment in which one will be operating. Well, they have ONE advantage. Even so, people may be reluctant. > **[Shoes](https://xkcd.com/1065/)** > > I \*do\* hear that they're the most comfortable thing to wear on your feet since sliced bread. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493/14 "2023-07-25T03:48:47Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > > [@Monty](#): > > > > When is he pretending to have served? Those shoes came out in 2006. And, no, it’s quite doubtful that’s a thing with Special Operations. I can see zero benefit in wearing those over gear that is specifically designed for the environment in which one will be operating. > > Well, they have ONE advantage. Even so, people may be reluctant. - > > [xkcd: Shoes](https://xkcd.com/1065/) I’ve worn sliced bread on my feet. I’d rather wear loafers. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493/15 "2023-07-25T03:57:39Z")
I do prefer to wear [toe socks](https://www.google.com/search?q=toe+socks&oq=toe+socks&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i131i433i512l2j0i512j46i199i465i512j0i512l3j46i175i199i512j0i512.1234j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8), so I’m guessing those would go well with those silly shoes. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493/16 "2023-07-25T04:03:07Z")
I once worked an internship in California with a guy who claimed to be ex-SpecOps - specifically, SFOD-D (and that’s what I asked him, he said he was Delta so I asked, “SFOD-D?”) He did have evidence for some of his claims, such as having been shot in the abdomen by an AK-47 bullet while in Afghanistan and having to leave on medical discharge as a result. I did notice that his behavior and demeanor was totally the opposite of what one would expect from a SpecOps guy - I commented as such to the workplace supervisor, and she said, “Oh, he must have a huge amount of PTSD so he may have been the quiet calm type back then but he’s the wild rowdy party type now.” On one occasion, I was about to drive the company car when he snatched the keys from me and said “My driving while drunk is better than yours while sober.” And so that was my first time riding with a drunk driver. To this day, I’m not sure if he was actually ex-SpecOps or not. I have no doubt that he was in the Army in some capacity, and that he was wounded and left on medical discharge - the workplace had the papers to document all this. I just don’t know if he was exaggerating his background. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493/17 "2023-07-25T12:30:08Z")
Aren’t the first two rules of Special Ops the same as for Fight Club? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493/18 "2023-07-25T12:34:00Z")
I don’t know, Army Rangers are usually pretty proud of their service and willing to talk about it. They’re Special Ops. But I agree most Special Ops vets don’t brag/talk about it much. Rangers might be the exception and maybe the largest Special Ops group? Never since I left the Navy, but EOD **United States Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal** technicians guys, even those that served in Vietnam IIRC would talk about it. They’re listed as a Special Ops group also. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493/19 "2023-07-25T13:29:06Z")
I knew 3 SEALs when I was in the Navy. They never brought it up and never bragged about it. They didn’t have to - they had nothing to prove. I figure anyone who had similar achievements would be the same. Semi-related: I have a cousin-in-law who let it “slip” that he worked for NSA. He was an office drone in the accounting dept. Yeah, dude, you’re practically a spy… 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493/20 "2023-07-25T13:37:13Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Semi-related: I have a cousin-in-law who let it “slip” that he worked for NSA. **He was an office drone in the accounting dept.** Yeah, dude, you’re practically a spy… 🙄 - Perfect cover. 🫢 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-ops/987493.md?page=2)