Ever get a sense that someone is lying to you? Well, I’ve recently met this guy who I think is not being exactly honest. I come from a long line of military folks [mainly navy] and I know how they talk to one another…normal, but with some military speak. This guy said he was a marine, but when asked where he went to bootcamp he stumbled on his answer was Ft.Bragg. Do they do boot camp at FB? When asked where he served he said Iraq then Afghanistan but didn’t mention those being two separate tours - can someone do a “half tour” somewhere then go somewhere else? I dunno what strikes me about his demeanor, but he certainly doesn’t look like any marine I’ve known, and plus, he stumbled on every answer he gave…and I have no idea if they are true or not…
So is there something I can ask this guy that only someone in the marines would know?
As to see his discharge papers (if enlisted) or his commission (if an officer).
Ask him to recite the radio talking alphabet (alpha, bravo, charlie, etc.), quickly. This isn’t foolproof, since civilian pilots, air traffic controllers, and possibly others also have to know this.
I’d say you’ve already got him. Marines do basic at either Parris Island or San Diego recruit depots. Fort Bragg is also a US Army installation, not a Marine Corp installation.
All Marines go through recruit training either at Parris Island or at MCRD San Diego. Fort Bragg is an Army base. The Army has Forts, the Marine Corps has Camps. The guy is full of shit. Also, every Marine I have ever known, including my uncle who is almost eighty years old, is fanatical about staying in shape long after their service is over. They instill a culture of fitness in people. If this guy “doesn’t look like a Marine,” he probably isn’t.
That might be a little bit of an over-generalization…I’ve seen some fat-ass former Marines.
That said, I still look damn good
And ditto what everyone else said about Bragg. Knew a guy not too long ago who said he was Airborne, and took him at his word. He pulled that out once and a guy who really was Airborne asked him who his instructors were in jump school…and he couldn’t ‘remember’. I don’t care how long it’s been, you’re going to remember your drill instructors and specialty school instructors.
You can’t really go by this. I have two friends and a father who were in the Marine Corp and none of them kept their shape well. I suspect losing the regular exercise aspect of their lives contributed. (My dad did stay in good shape until he couldn’t work anymore. My friends are both software engineers so they sit all day. Not conducive to a good shape.)
I know that it is possible, that’s why I suggested asking him about it. In the unlikely event that he isn’t a liar, no harm no foul. More likely is that he doesn’t get why you are even asking the question.
Marines do go to Boot Camp or “Boot” as they are most likely to say; the official term is Recruit Training. The Army does Basic Training. This is another way to spot a liar - the misuse of those phrases.
Yep - he’s a yarn spinner! I don’t know if I’ll confront him unless he starts going off on a tangent that I just can’t stand…but this is a good starter!
2nd Lieutenant - gold bar
1st Lieutenant - silver bar
Captain - two silver bars
Colonel - Silver bird
Major - gold bird
Brigadier General - *
Major General - **
Lieutenant General - ***
General - ****
That’s going from memory from USAF basic back in '97. I’m going to double check it, but to keep it honest, I’ll wait until after I post. I was enlisted, so I’m almost certain I can list those ranks, it’s the officer rankings that may be fuzzy.
no strips - Airman Basic
1 stripe - Airman
2 stripes - Airman First Class
3 stripes - Senior Airman
4 stripes - Staff Sergeant
5 stripes - Tech Sergeant
5 down 1 up - Master Sergeant
5d 2 u - Senior Master Sergeant
5d 3 u - Chief Master Sergeant
I did that from memory having gotten out 10 years ago. If he can’t list rank and he claims to be in or have been recently, he’s a fraud. Of course, if he doesn’t know where he went to boot, that’s the first sign.
Oh, and Marine rankings will be different from what I listed. I just wanted to see if I could still do it.
Another good test…ask him what the MC ranks for E-8 and E-9 are. The Marine Corps has two for each: Master Sergeant and First Sergeant for E-8, and Sergeant Major and Master Gunnery Sergeant for E-9.
I know we’ve already established that he’s a fibber, but if you reeeeaaly want to make him look like a fool (I would).
I once worked for the navy. A smartassed Marine Lieutenant I was friendly with walks into the wardroom, stands beside me and loudly announces “{shiftless} here says that Chesty Puller is a faggot!” You could have heard a pin drop. Never having heard of the guy I didn’t realize how close to death I was. The name sounds made up.
