Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Boyfriend in the marines?

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Expert: - 11/22/2010


Question
I have been dating my bf for one year and he recently told me
he was in the marines several years ago. He said all he can tell
me is that he was overseas and required to work alone. He said
he was on several missions, was debriefed afterward, and he
cannot tell me anything else. I found a set of dogtags, but they
only gave his name and say us marines. Is this suspect? How can
I verify if he was telling the truth? Thank you.

Answer
Rachel:

  If you are having doubts then likely those doubts are related to more than just his story.   The story sounds hokey, but without further information, I cannot disprove it.   The dogtag format is correct (he should also have a blood type, SSN and religous preference on them as well).   

 You can, of course, ask him the unit he served with.  No Marine, 'generally' speaking, serves in units that are so highly classified they can't tell you what they are.  Yes, exceptions exist but they are rare.

 You can certainly ask another question, privately.

Best of luck,
Jason

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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Jason Grabill

Expertise

Questions relating to US Marine Corps; rank, awards, uniforms, career choices. I can also help people spot and expose fakes (people pretending to be Marines or have awards they didn`t earn). Considering the Marines as a career? Or another branch, like the Air National Guard? Drop me a line. HOWever..know that I am NOT a recruiter. I can offer my expert opinion and advice, but can't (and won't) over rule what a recruiter says, they are the 'on duty' expert.

Experience

Infantry Rifleman, MOS 0311: 3 years. Marine Barracks Security (Marine Barracks, Annapolis, Maryland(not Embassy Duty): 3 years. Parachutist: MOS 9962: Got my wings in August of 1984. Intelligence Specialist: MOS 0231 10 years working as an Intelligence Analyst with a Fixed Wing Fighter Squadron, Force Service Support Group, and at Headquarters, Marine Corps. Field Radio Operator: MOS 2531. Served as a Platoon Sergeant in a Communications Platoon assigned to MEU Service Support Group 24 (Special Operations Capable). Did a hitch in the Army reserves as an 11B (Infantryman), 3 years. Finished out my career in the Air National Guard as a BioEnvironmental Engineer MOS 4B3X1, did that for a few years. I"ve been collecting and selling Marine Corps and other military uniforms, medals, and field gear since I was 8 years old.

Organizations
United States Marine Corps Logistical Company.

Publications
I was an Editorial writer for Marine Corps Times from 1998-2000.

Education/Credentials
Extensive library of research materials relating to uniforms, medals, and equipment of the military and the Marine Corps. 22 College credits, Community College of the Air Force. Certified Historical Interpreter.

Awards and Honors
Kosovo Campaign Medal w/1 star Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 4 stars. Numerous other unit awards. I was on duty on 9/11 at HQMC, near the Pentagon, and responded to that location to try and lend a hand if needed...

Past/Present Clients
United States Marine Corps Historical Company, Guardian Security and Investigations, lead Investigator for 'Stolen Valor' cases.

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