Michael Boswell is not a Vietnam Veteran
There’s a fellow in Branson, Missouri by the name of Michael Boswell who has been pretending to be a Vietnam Veteran of the Air Force variety.
He was in the Air Force from September 1965 to January 1967, but he was discharged as an Airman Basic (E-1) and it looks like he never left Lackland;
No Vietnam Service Medals, just a National Defense Service Medal.
Category: Phony soldiers, Valor Vultures
Shitbag.
A real rate grabber, this one.
High drag, no speed type…
Cocksucker.
Maybe he is like an ex-Coastie in my hood that says he is a VN Vet even though he never left CONUS. He gets pissed when I remind him that he is a VN ERA vet.
A year and a half and only an E-1? Must have been a real screw up. Given the track record of these types, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him claim to be a PJ.
Remember Jack McNiece? He served during WW2 in the 101st airborne. McNiece made four combat jumps, was in the forefront of every fight in northern Europe, yet somehow never made the rank of PFC.
https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Thirteen-Airbornes-Legendary-Paratroopers/dp/1932033467/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481041342&sr=8-1&keywords=filthy+thirteen
Here, in quotes, is McNeice’s explanation, I guess:
“Well, we often went AWOL. We were called the Filthy Thirteen. We never took care of our barracks or any other thing, or sanitation, and we were always restricted to camp. But we went AWOL every weekend that we wanted to and we stayed as long as we wanted till we returned back, because we knew they needed us badly for combat. And it would just be a few days in the brig. We stole jeeps. We stole trains. We blew up barracks. We blew down trees. We stole the colonel’s whiskey and things like that.”
That is freaking awesome. The grandfathers of the “E-4” Mafia as we know it today.
I LIKE this guy!
Your an idiot
Get this. The knucklehead who think’s the contraction for you are is your is calling someone an idiot. F’n phony ass VVOA member. And by “member,” I do mean member.
“The filthy thirteen”, must be the sequel to The Dirty Dozen.
Or the “Not So Clean Eighteen”.
A-ATW!
Service from 27 Sept 65 to 17 Jan 67 = 15 1/2 mos. Add the E-1 discharge rank and, Houston, we have a problem.
Lotta bling on the covered vest too.
Fuck….coveted.
Check the old codes before don’t ask don”t tell. DD257AF.
Supply Clerk. He calls himself A1C which at the time was E-4 so thinking about the Time in service and time in grade the years he was in, it should have gone like this….
Sep 65 to March 1966 E-1 Airman Basic (6 months)
March 1966 to Jan 1967 E-2 Airman 3rd Class (10 Months)
Jan 1967 to Airman Second Class E-3 if he got it just before he got out, possible but not probable.
Also MATS Was the Military Air Transport Service which then became Military Airlift Command (MAC) (I was under that) and then it changed to AMC Air Mobility Command (I was under that too) and it remains today.
Seeing how this guy was discharged as an E-1 you could say he’s a dick stepper and a fucktard.
ChipNASA, what is the ribbon to the right of the NDSM?
Looks like the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with a bronze star denoting qualifying on service rifle and pistol. He was a supply guy so no having to have a pistol so THAT’S Bullshit. His DD-214 does say Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, most likely M-4 or M-16. I did it so it’s not that hard, 35/40 or better.
Thank you!
Yep, the bronze star would denote expert in both rifle and pistol.
“an individuals designated duty handgun”
https://www.usamilitarymedals.com/products/small-arms-expert-marksmanship-ribbon
The Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAE, SAEM) is an award of the United States Air Force that is used to recognize Airmen who have reached the expert proficiency in either the service rifle or pistol. Created in August of 1962, it wasn’t awarded until January 1st, 1963. Individuals must qualify with either the M-16 rifle, the M-4 carbine or an individuals designated duty handgun. If the Airman has qualified with both a rifle and a pistol, a Bronze Star device is worn on the service ribbon to denote an additional award.
Can also mean multiple awards on the same weapon.
No it can’t. Multiple awards of the Expert Ribbon for the same weapon do not rate another ribbon in the USAF.
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. I qualified on the .38 cal pistol (38/40) first time I ever fired a handgun, and re-qualed multiple times thereafter.
If you can find the old codes online, look for DD257AF, and you will see why. He also claimed to be a Load Master which he was not?!.
Check out old code DD257AF, you’ll see why.
Dipshit.
Maybe he paid his fee to VVOA. As I have written here a dozen times, according to VVOA, you qualify as a member, a Vietnam Veteran, if you served during that conflict and never left the states. My take on that is that the pool of potential members–read fee collection–widens greatly. It’s bullshit, but there it is.
I understand your thoughts and agree. I served in the Air Force from 1967 to 1973. I was mostly in the Reserves. I am a founding member of Chapter 913 in Branson. I have NEVER worn any in country ribbon or in country service acknowledgement, but have proudly represented my chapter as a officer, Honor guard/Color Guard member,and a proud representative of those, including my Brother, who served.
When I went to the first meeting, coerced by the Chapter President David Clark, I stood up and told the Chapter I did not belong
A Vietnam in Country veteran stood up and announced any one who was there to support us in our effort, was part of us. That’S all I will say.
I am proud of my service to this nation, doing what I was asked to do. God Bless all Vietnam Veterans, and their support of this Nation.
“I have NEVER worn any in country ribbon or in country service acknowledgement…” So, those aren’t pics of you wearing a vest with not one but two Vietnam Service ribbons? If it is, you are full of shit and I invite anyone to visit the Branson Chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America and see for yourself. I suppose that the ARMY patch and the “Vietnam Veteran’ embroidery and the other stuff are an Air Force reservist’s way of honoring–let me guess–your brother. That works. Sarver is on the nametag. No one would ever think that it was actually you who is the US Army Veteran who served in Vietnam. What a phukwad. Typical for VVOA.
I remember another horse’s ass who honored his brother by wearing his brother’s medals. He was head of the Korean War Veterans Association. Had pics taken, not at The Wall, like you did, but at Arlington w/ the Vice President. Turns out that everyone assumed (quite understandably) that the medals were his. Unlike you, who never served in Vietnam, he actually served in Korea but not during war time for which his brother earned those medals. That fellow, Ferris, resigned, knocked from his lofty perch of falsehood. Have a nice trip, Sarver.
The picture is not of me, but a stolen Valor former member of our. Chapter read the post idiot. I was in the Air Force not the Army
Idiot? That’s the second time you called me that. This could get serious.
So, if that’s not your pic (actually there are multiples of them on the VVOA Branson site) why does the name tag read “SARVER?” Is everyone in Branson named Sarver? What is it, the incest capital of Missouri? Is that it? That certainly would explain it. On the other hand, that you are full of shit would also explain it.
As a final comment to you, while n more than you know, I respect your service, kiss my ass. We did what we were asked to do. We served this nation as we were asked to do
Is everybody in your neck of the woods off his rocker? What do you mean “kiss my ass?” You served “mostly in the reserves” and never in Vietnam. Yet, you are a founding chapter member of the VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA? You then say that you were coerced to announce that you are not, in fact, a Vietnam Veteran? In response to that coerced announcement to the (how many, two?) members that were present, you say that a “Vietnam in Country veteran stood up and announced any one who was there to support us in our effort….” And that makes it all good? Hell, that doesn’t even require someone to be a Veteran at all. You wear a VVOA cap I’m sure. YOU are exactly and precisely what turns my stomach about that organization. Auxiliary membership is the only membership that should be available to you, but I know how VVOA operates. In my book, it is an enabler of phony VN Vets w/o equal.
What have you done to support Vietnam Vets? Last year our Chapter donated a Track chair to a paralyzed veteran. This year we donated a Tank Chair to an organization that helps disabled Veterans go outdoors to fish, hunt or get back to nature.
As a final comment? Yeah, until your next final comment. And the one after that.
What I have or haven’t done in any endeavor is none of your damn business. Tell me something. Does a good deed justify playing make believe for you? Is that how it works, the ends justifying the means? If you start a chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America, even though you were never in Vietnam, and you wear ribbons and patches not earned by you, but you do a good deed, is that a wash for you?
But he does cut a smart figure as a ceremonial guard…those strained buttons scream “this side towards enemy”
Came extremely close to choking on my meatball sub when I read that LOL
Mmmm. Subs.
I like the black forest ham. They have a Subway near my VA.
Subway…blech.
You need to get to a Firehouse Subs, pronto.
Firehouse is AWESOME!
Firehouse is da bomb!
Firehouse, SCREW Subway.
Jared did…
…and now he gets all the foot longs he (doesn’t) want
Which “Mr. Tiny” is more than willing to donate.
Di Bella’s has some real good shit too…not sure where all they are in the U.S. but they’re worth the trip.
Meatball sub? UTAH! Get me two.
I am so stealing that.
“Winning.”
Oh fuck, 1610desig, that is fucking hilarious!!!!!
I think I have this figured out…
they don’t sell “VIETNAM-ERA VETERAN” ball caps.
Some of these guys need “Goldbrick” caps. Hey, we’re on to something here.
“[Service Branch] Goldbrick”
“Proud [Service Branch] Goldbrick Mom”
My father proudly claimed Army Goldbricker in his WWII letters home to his mother.
Actually, they do–saw one recently on a fellow at Walmart.
Yep, indeed they do. Got one myself. And the patch.
Damn. Another great idea that someone already thought of and acted on. I have another, though. It’s a thin spring that walks down stairs. I’m thinking of calling it the Springy Thingy.
Glad to see that the good idea fairy has visited you this season. Too bad there isn’t time to market your Springy Thingy before Christmas.
I have another. Maybe you would like to go in on it with me, 50-50. Don’t laugh. I know this ridiculous but I swear it will sell. I’m calling it “Pebble Pal.” It’s really nothing other than a packaged pebble. Crazy, I know.
Only if I can get one with feathers.
I want a jacks set with a Staley ball.
Me too!
Jacks. They’re not just for girls.
Daisy C, I get your drift, but yes, one can buy a “Vietnam Era Veteran” ball cap.
I wonder … if someone had a bunch of ballcaps with the words STOLEN VALOR ASSCLOWN made up and sent them to idiots like MICHAEL BOSWELL, would they wear it?
Oh, dear. Send packing before I went in? Must have been a Twit 1st class.
MATS ended in 1966, so his sign is wrong.
He was assigned to the 3700 so the ATC Patch is OK.
The patch covered by the sign is not one he wore on any uniform (based on his DD Form 214)
The star on his small arms expert marksmanship ribbon was not authorized (ribbon with star denotes expert with rifle and pistol; only one star is authorized regardless of how many weapons with which one qualifies).
The big tell is the 39-12 discharge which, I believe our Army friends would call being chaptered.
When will folks like him admit they tried and failed? I bet never.
I wasn’t sure so I looked it up. Per some guy who claims to be a military law type:
“AFM 39-12 is Air Force Manual 39-13, Separation for Unsuitability,
Misconduct, Resignation, or Request for Discharge for the Good of the
Service and Procedures for the Rehabilitation Program, September 1,
1966.”
He looks unsuitable to me.
I checked the other code
488 – Unsuitability (general discharge separation)
This is my surprised face.
Not.
He looks like an old lady to me.
Sorry, I’m suffering from winter indoorism.
We have something similar to ‘winter indoorism’ here in Texas, but not as severe as in your neck of the woods.
That said, he does look like a poor excuse for an old lady – with are due respect to our elder and honorable women.
It’s only December, Ex, lots of winter left to go.
Sorry.
The patch that is covered it the VVA Chapter patch that he is/was a member of
Are you sure it is not a US Air Force Materiel Command patch? Material Command was created in 1992.
Alright, USAF Vets, I have a question about the assignments: If I’m reading that correctly, he entered the service for BMTS (which I’m assuming is Basic Military Training?) on 27 SEP 65. But by 10 NOV 65 he was apparently already assigned an AFSC of 64730?
By my count that’s about 5 1/2 weeks. How long was basic training back then?
Or was the 3700 M&S Group his tech school for his AFSC? If so, then it would appear that he never left that unit.
Which would make sense. If he either got injured or got into trouble in tech school (or perhaps had a family emergency that necessitated a hardship discharge) they might have kept him on as a ‘casual’ (at least that’s what we called it in the Army) until his discharge was finalized.
That would also explain why he didn’t get his automatic promotion to E-2 that should have come at 6 months.
Basic has always been 6 weeks until November 2005 I believe when they changed it to 8.5 weeks with Warrior and Field training included.
You’re probably correct about him finishing basic and then going on to Tech school. I can’t find it but my tech school was at Sheppard and was only 8 weeks long. I can’t imagine Supply Specialist was more than that and then you are assigned to your first duty station, again in this case at Lackland.
That’s Sept to November for Basic, Then December to Jan for tech school and then transferring to the Active Duty side of the house on Lackland, untiil discharged as an E-1 after 15 months?
He should at least have been an E-3.
He dun fucked up.
He received a direct duty assignment to Lackland after basic. In the days before McPeak there were a few AFSC’s, including some supply and transportation AFCS’s, that didn’t have a tech school. One would report to one’s duty assignment for on the job training and correspondence courses. Promotion to E-2 & E-3 were not affected by not having a tech school. Promotion to E-4 could be affected if one did not finish training to the 5 skill level.
Correctamundo…. Supply was one of the Direct to OJT and CDC Course AFSCs I believe.
Here’s what I see: He completed BMTS. He was assigned to a supply unit there at Lackland. He was sent to tech school but did not complete it.
My guess would be that he was a marginal graduate from basic. They kept him there at Lackland just to keep an eye on him. He remained marginal, but the decision was made to send him to tech school. He washed out of tech school and was discharged.
His failure to make it could well have been simply because he was too dumb to even count 50 screws in a box marked “Screws, 50 each.” Maybe nothing more serious than that. Or some other failure to adapt something or another but not particularly serious.
Who knows. Just guessing.
Correct my opinion to be failure to complete/pass the CDC instead of going to tech school.
Not sure when they opened the supply schools at Lowry. They were there by around 1980.
What are those wings above his ribbon rack?
It appears to be the Air Force Enlisted Air Crew Wings.
Which he sure ain’t qualified for.
Jonn, did you see/know this??
Mary Schantag awarding Mike Boswell The Distinguished Patriots Award on 22 May, 2014.
Looks like he may have pulled the wool over her eyes at the time.
Link below with pictures.
http://bransonveterans.com/news.html
May 22, 2014 Meet and Greet Doc’s Hickory Roadhouse
Branson Veterans Task Force Board Member Mary Schantag, Distinguished Patriot Award Recipient, Mike Boswell, BVTF Vice Chair Barb Riggle. Attending, but not pictured, Board Members Julie Peters
and Mike Yates.
The Branson Veterans Task Force is dependent on volunteers, as are many other non profit groups. Mike, an Vietnam Air Force veteran, was invaluable in the planning and event activities surrounding the Inaugural Wheels for Freedom Car Show. In addition to his efforts with the BVTF – Mike also is a member of the Branson Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 913. Before the evening was done, Mike was working on the 2nd Annual…. for 2015!
For Armed Forces Weekend, the Branson Veterans Task sought and organized donations for Military Families to spent the weekend in Branson. Housing, meals, gas, entertainment was provided by the generosity of the Branson community. Although more families were sought – two families were chosen by their base commander to enjoy the gift in 2014. This family name has been redacted…
He pulled the wool over a lot of eyes in Branson. I was with Mary when she gave him the award. Once again it’s a victimless crime NOT.
Barbara,
Feel free to fill a large purse full of rock and hit him in the face with it.
More seriously, you and Mary may have an actionable fraud case here. Since he, by claiming things that were not true, was able to gain things of tangible benefit, it ought to (to my non-lawyer mind) fit the definition of fraud. A discussion with your local AG and/or a lawyer may be in order.
If this individual falsified any government documents then yes it’s a class c Fellony.
If he verbalized false claims ( not under oath) for purposes to gain employment then he could be terminated. And yes lies & deception to receive anything of monetary value from both private & government sector can be prosecuted for civil and or criminal actions, however in the real world in big cities D.A’s would not take these cases & only the civil lawyers would benefit by accepting monies from the plannifs & not collecting a dime from the defendant (at best a judgement).
Maybe a small town With a small docket could take the chalange. The best they could get is a $ 25.00 fine-
Here’s another pic of him.
Looks like he belongs to Chapter 13 of the VVA.
http://www.museumtrove.com/museum/258523774238048/Branson+Centennial+Museum
Chapter 913
Bingo. Pay the fee. Wear the cap.
2/17 Air Cav, I know you aren’t fond of Vietnam Era Vets belonging to the VVA and yes I probably should be a member of the Associates but they took my money and said I was eligible to be a member of the VVA. I don’t wear the in country ribbons but I do wear the VVA patch for our Chapter. I don’t want to get into a contest with you and I will take the comments you will have and go about my business.
Barbara. There will be no contest. VVOA is an organization that has membership requirements and those who meet those requirements and pay the fees can become members. My beef is with the requirements, not individual members– unless, like Sarver and Puffy, they play games.
I understand you’re feelings on the matter with VVOA. When I joined I felt that I shouldn’t be there, the guys didn’t cause me to feel that way it was me as I didn’t have boots on ground. They are my bothers who had boots on ground as are you. I won’t play games. Actually I’m enjoying Boswell getting his comeuppance. Unfortunately, I do know puffy. It angers me that I got taken in by him. So sir have a great day, I know you probably worked for a living.
Man but those guys do love their vests.
I wonder if they leave them to someone in their will or do they end up on ebay.
He looks like a very pretty Boy. ?
Graybeard @ TAH-net sends:
Michael Boswell is not a Vietnam Vet.
Michael Boswell is Unsuitability Incarnate.
Michael Boswell was Discharged for the Good of the Service.
Michael Boswell is beyond the aid of the Rehabilitation Program.
Michael Boswell is a disgrace to color guards everywhere.
Michael Boswell was unable to promote past E1.
Michael Boswell is a failure.
Michael Boswell is a fraud.
Michael Boswell is a fake.
Michael Boswell is a Valor Thief.
Michael Boswell is, therefore, despicable.
Michael Boswell is a phony pony.
Michael Boswell is in need of remedial disciplinary action.
End of transmission.
Must have been chock block his whole career
Michael Boswell is not a Vietnam Veteran.
But he is a fat, ozzy turd.
Is his last name misspelled in the top photo? “Boswel”, not Boswell?
It is Boswell.
I looked up the separation reference and I quote:
“Failure to man up, inability to adapt, bed wetter and thumb sucker”.
“Member of the Loyal Order of the Yellow-stained Bedsheet”….
Re: Ribbon rack on the vest in the top picture.
Can’t even get the correct order of precedence with just three.
Dumbass.
LOL. You are correct, Sir.
Correct should be from right to left looking at the photo…..
1. Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR)
2. Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) Not authorized here for Michael Boswell who is NOT A VIETNAM VETERAN.
3. then National Defense Service Medal (NDSM)
I totally missed that.
😛
Hmmm, I was thinking the order of precedence should have been: (right to left)
1. NDSM
2. VSM
3.SAEMR
But what would have happened if he had tried to throw a VCM (Vietnam Campaign Medal) into the mix and had to start double stacking?
All Hell would break loose! The Horror!
Yes, I think that you and I are saying the same thing
http://i.imgur.com/Ok9p5ii.jpg
Yep, we are.
It’s that old viewers versus wearers conundrum.
But bottom line is I and many others were in Viet of the Nam and Boswell wasn’t there./smile
Thanks, Chip.
Quick question for those old enough to have lived through it:
During the VN war, were men drafted into the USAF or USMC? Or did all draftees go to the Army and Navy?
http://ehistory.osu.edu/vietnam/books/1968/0580.cfm
Traditionally, the Marine Corps took great pride in the fact that every Marine had voluntarily enlisted. Well before the Vietnam War, senior Marine officers recognized that the Marine Corps indirectly benefit-ted from the draft by recruiting draft-motivated volunteers. “^ The rapid expansion of the Marine Corps in late 1965 and early 1966 forced the Marine Corps to turn to Selective Service to find enough recruits to fill the ranks. The Marine Corps made four draft calls between November 1965 and March 1966, accepting 19,636 draftees in fiscal year 1966. As soon as possible, however, the Marine Corps returned to its traditional reliance on voluntary enlistments. The Marine Corps did not make another draft call until April 1968, after the Tet offensive, followed by a second call in May. The next call came in December 1968, inaugurating a steady reliance on the draft until February 1970, well after Marine forces had begun withdrawing from Vietnam.**
The Navy and Air Force never used draftees during the Vietnam War.
The vast majority of the draftees went into the Army.
“Or did all draftees go to the Army and Navy?” Some went to Canada.
Or “Sweaden”….
A fella I graduated High School with was drafted into the Marines.
We partied our asses off all night, showed up at the library at 0600. They started calling off names and some of them boys they said “go stand over there”. We figured they had too many and were gonna tell some of them to go home. When they loaded the first group on buses, they turned to the boys “over there” and said “You are now U.S. Marines”.
That’s also what prompted me to go see an Army recruiter. 😉
Off the top of my head, if I remember correctly, USMC started receiving draftees in latter part of 1968, due to escalating Marine casualties in RVN and not enough folks wanting to enlist in USMC due to those rising casualties. Not sure how many draftees went into the Marines, perhaps 20 or 30K…
AFAIK, no draftees went into the USAF…
The figure I saw on Wiki and google was about 42,000
With the USMC draft calls from 65-66 added to those from 68-69, that sounds about right…
Was on the grinder at USMC SD in ’65 (3rd RT Bn) when we received the first draftees. Were surprised they did quite well. A couple years older seemed to be the salient reason: they seemed to be faster learners.
I hate to piss in anyone’s Wheaties on the FB posts at the top of the page
but I can not find anywhere where the designation “ERA” was dropped from the nomenclature Vietnam Veteran, quite the CONTRARY
http://www.veteranstoday.com/2009/07/28/the-definition-of-a-vietnam-era-veteran/
http://amarillo.com/opinion/letters-editor/2015-04-27/johnson-there-difference-between-vietnam-vet-and-vietnam-era-vet
The VA designates a DIFFERENCE between Vistnam Veteran (IN COUNTRY vs. Vistnam ERA Veteran, Served NOT in country during a specified time period.
http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/wartimeperiod.asp
Vietnam era (February 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975 for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period; otherwise August 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975)
I have a question, and yes I am serious.
Am I a Vietnam Vet or a Vietnam Era vet?
My story.
Mid-summer 1974 I received orders for Korat AB Thailand and reported there end of Sept/Beginning of October. Found out when I got there that the Air Force was getting out of SEA and that my orders were supposed to have been canceled. I was not informed of this.
So I stayed in Thailand until 23 December 1974 when I got on a C-130 to Clark and my new assignment. While I was in Thailand I did train and flew on H-53 in case I was needed, but never was on a real world mission.
I have been told by different people, all whom I trust, that I am a VN Vet by some and an Era Vet by others.
So once again my question (seriously): What am I?
Is there a VSM on your DD214?
There’s the answer.
Yes, but a I always felt uncomfortable about wearing it. I was in Thailand only 3 months.
Understand completely. Have known several people through the years who were grateful that there were very few occasions which required the wearing of a complete rack of ribbons.
USAF Ret. Let me ask you this. If an airman in your unit had been killed in a crash in Thailand, or a pilot downed on a return from a mission, would you say, “Well, they weren’t really VN Vets?” I know the answer. So do you. So, enough of that bullshit. Welcome home.
Michael Boswell, WHAT a no-load pus-nuts corpulent bedwetting lying candyassed POS!!! Look at those fat cheeks, likely stretched out by many a wino’s cock in his mouth behind a bus stop! May he choke to death while pigging out at the freebie dinner at Golden Corral on Veterans Day.
Is there some unwritten law that these guys all have to wear biker vests??
It is in the Poser’s How-to Manual for Really Stupid Dummies.
We are not wearing biker vests moron. They are honor vests!!!
Often they are Poser Vests, esp if worn with a Doo Rag and accompanied by a dog.
Rick, you’re acting as if someone on this forum called YOU a phony. No one has and no one will. You might consider taking your attitude for a walk, someplace far away from here. And one more piece of advice. If you find your Cheerios floating an unidentifiable yellow liquid, don’t eat them. Have a nice day.
I’m there.
What the fuck is an honor vest?
I thought Girls Scouts and avatars in Guild Wars 2 wore honor vests.
By the way Rick, your attitude is not satisfactory.
Well, some Cub Scout groups wear vests as well.
In my experience, however, the Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts call them “patch vests” – where they can sew on patches indicative of honors they have earned and camps or events they have attended; unlike Michael Boswell who wears recognitions he has not earned and patches for places he has not been.
Judging from his attitude and postings, perhaps Ricky-boi fits more with Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts?
“What the fuck is an honor vest?”
Its what they give you when you pass A-PLIP.
The All-Points Logistics Indoctrination Program.
And… here we go with the sock-puppets again!
Okeydokey then Rickky boi: If it is an “honor” vest how can Michael-Boswell-who-is-not-a-Vietnam-Vet honorably wear honors he has not earned?
Maybe it is a dishonor-vest? Huh? Perhaps your band of wannabes is really just that? Or do you hold honorable service so cheaply that you let folks like Michael Boswell buy some for the price of admission to your me-too tree-house club?
Gimme a break. Are you really that big a nitwit?
Dishonor vests ricky.
It’s a “shitbird” vest.
Sort of like a reflective vest, but for shitbirds.
And felchers.
This dude is an old, creepy-looking felcher.
I like that!!!
Bilker vest?
I feel like referring to someone that served during the Vietnam Era, but didn’t go to Vietnam as a “Vietnam Era Vet” is a pretty unique distinction- although I completely understand why it exists.
What about for other time periods? For example, would it be fair to say that if you served during WW2 you are considered a WW2 vetera? Even if you didn’t see combat? What about for other conflicts-
Is there even such a thing as a “Desert Storm” Era Vet?
Looking to the future, in a few decades, what will we call those that served, but never deployed in the last 15 years since 9/11? “GWOT Era Vets” “OIF Era Vets” “OEF Era Vets”?
Or is it simply that if they served, but didn’t deploy- they aren’t veterans at all and we should stop calling them as such?
Really curious as to how this works.
I’m a perfect example…..
I was active duty, I was overseas in Okinawa. I was TDY lots of places, I went Reserve and was in 19 years and retired after 23 years.
I was on a rapid deployment team for about 15 of those years, I volunteered for Restore Hope Somolia and went to Dover AFB. For DS/DS I volunteered and went to NAS Norfolk. After 9/11 my unit got called up and we deployed 38 man team into theater. I was the unit Deployment manager so I was there deciding who was going. I retired 4 years later and we had probably 60 to 75 more folks that deployed in theater but as I made E-7 and E-8, I was not wanted.
My best friend who made Cheif (E-9) and did deploy in 2012 to Afganistan, said to me, ” Chip, you trained yourself and then you trained many many others who then deployed in theater.” That made a difference. Because you for one tour, didn’t deploy in theater, you can’t do anything about it. You Can’t Change What Didn’t Happen”.
I felt a little guilty about not deploying with my guys but he’s right, I was all over the Pacific, Europe the U.S. and I supported directly and indirectly operations all over the world.
I think of myself as a Veteran of Grenada, Panama, Persian Gulf, Gulf War, Iraq, Afganistan, Somilia etc…but I am VERY CLEAR, I was never *IN* these places but I supported those operations.
C-5, C-141,C-130,C-17,L 1011, KC-10, KC-135…I was a Cargo puke and people and their equipment got to where it needed to go because of what my job was.
So there you have it. I don’t use ERA, but I just say I was in from 1984 to 2007.
Tah Dah. But that’s just my personal opinion.
🙂 😛
ChipNASA, I’m like you… trained and supported many, but never deployed. I call myself a veteran and leave it at that.
^^This^^
Being a proud veteran is good enough for me, too. Never set foot in VN or any country during hostilities.
BUT … I went everywhere I was ordered and did everything asked of me.
Its like Desert Storm, I was on Shore Duty but served during that time, that doesn’t make me a Desert Storm Vet.
I would guess that since the WW in WW2 stands for “World War”, if you served anywhere in the world during that war, you are a WWII vet. Ditto for WW1 even though most of WW1 was fought in Europe and the Atlantic Ocean with a few side conflicts in the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Africa.
With the exception of our world wars, most of our wars are named based on where they were fought: Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.
IOW, if a soldier or airman served from 1951 – 1953 and spent his entire term at a base in Greenland or Germany, it wouldn’t be proper to refer to that soldier as a “Korean War Veteran” even though he served in the Army during the Korean war, if he didn’t at least step one foot in Korea during that time.
But while we’re at it, let’s throw another complication into this: What about “Theater” vets? That is, those deployed outside the named country but still considered “in theater.” An airman who worked at an airbase in Thailand during the Vietnam war would be an example of this. For that matter, my last NG unit got credit for being in OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) even though no part of the unit was ever based in, nor had any official duties, in Iraq. All my duties were in Kuwait but Kuwait (along with Saudi Arabia, Quatar, and Bahrain) were considered to be in the “Iraqi Theater.” 😉
VFW magazine had a story on this that may help illustrate why people make such distinctions. According to them any death in support of the war effort in Korea was counted as a Korean War casualty-even if that occurred at a shipyard in Washington state. However similar deaths during Vietnam were not counted that way (the magazine contended that there were several thousand such death). In which case it would seem to me that making a distinction for “Vietnam era veterans” might be somewhat justified.
Honestly, I feel uncomfortable calling myself an Iraq veteran even though I spent seven months there. I know people take that to mean that I was in combat, which I wasn’t. I maintained radars at Al-Asad. Flew in there, flew out of there, never left the wire in the interim. For that reason, I say “I served in Iraq” rather than calling myself an Iraq veteran. Just a personal thing, not something I’m saying everyone who stayed in the rear should do.
It’s like this, radar. While you were flying in/out for the months, did you ever wonder whether some stupid SOB might get lucky and hit your a/c? Or was it just like flying in/out of, oh, Lackland or Travis w/o concern or thought of a mortar or missile strike? You see the point, right?
Air Force Manual 39-12, Separation for Unsuitability, Misconduct, Resignation, or Request for Discharge for the Good of the Service and Procedures for the Rehabilitation Program
Comment #100.
Hey, Boswell, let’s talk about those flight wings for just a minute.
Oh, what’s that you say? (crickets)
I thought so.
Yep! I had to earn mine every year.
Another Cocksucker!!!
Excellent choice of an adjective!
I have pondered your question from every which way and, the fact is, absent a single, controlling statute that provides the definitions of the terms you noted, we can disagree until doomsday about everything from “Who is a Veteran?” (My answer is a person who was honorably discharged from military service.) to the use of Era to distinguish between Veterans who were in service during particular wars or bloody conflicts and, without “Era,” those who served in combat theaters or combat zones in those same wars or conflicts.
Makes me wonder if all these failures and pretenders were doing this before 9/11.
I am mot too far from Branson; I will be on the lookout for this guy; might be fun!
“Makes me wonder if all these failures and pretenders were doing this before 9/11.” Sure they were. They have been doing it since forever. The difference is Al Gore’s WWW. They don’t keep their bullshit confined to bars or workplaces. They broadcast it for all to see.
It goes back to the Civil War, and probably further back than that.
So there I was at Thermopylae, surrounded by Persians…
It was night. It was dark. There was no moon. We lit the fires and brought out the lyres, and partied till the meteors fell. And then we saw that damned horse out on the beach. Man, that thing was H-U-G-E!! Pulled it in, anyway, despite warnings against it, and went on partying. I was probably the only person not falling down drunk and sleeping where I fell. When the Greeks sneaked out of that horse, I met them, sword in hand, and lived to tell the tale.
So if a person was in uniform during any given war, and that makes him a ????? war ERA veteran some broadcast just enough to initiate conversation. To which often the question is never asked, but the one seeking public recognition leaves a lot of unanswered questions others are too polite to ask. Those who are loud and verbal about it, such as in churches honoring Veteran’s Day services, generally make vets who did in fact physically serve in country a little uneasy. Seems like we are having an epidemic of wannabees….especially from the RVN war. Is it because they are getting older and grasping at recognition straws, or hoping few if any who sat feet in country are around to challenge them?
Personally, I have no problem with one who identifies as an “Era” vet and leaves it at that. Those who embellish a non existent record just to sound like a hero can suck my ex-OS2 Johnson after they kiss my ass.
So much goes on with wannabee heroes these days that more and more I avoid discussions based on military service.
Okay, jarhead, if anyone asks, I just say I was stationed stateside the entire time and let it go at that.
I think it only makes a difference to those who feel inadequate for whatever reason and decide to inflate their lives a little bit with baloney.
Either you were there or you were not. Trying to play the fringe game does not work for me, in regard to “Vietnam Era” troops. I put the Vietnam experience in the closet for decades. Now, all these wanna bees want to get with the “in crowd”
Most of those who did not have to deploy to that shithole, considered themselves lucky. Now, many want to be part of us!
No fucking way!
^^^Word^^^
Yeah.
Like Jesse Ventura… was in the Philippines (never saw action tougher than the Olongapo bar strip) his whole tour “in theater” over there.
SOMEBODY sounds like they have SAND in their VAGINA.
Here you go.
Sometimes as hard as we look for phonies mistakes are made and not corrected. When Benghazi happened I told a group I had been there (Barce earthquake 1963) and got called a liar. In the Cold War we had a semi isolated base called Wheelus, with the unaccompanied tour being 18 months. America inn the main has forgotten the 20 years we were in Libya, In the 60s I also did a Korea tour and 23 months in-country. Not bragging. Just a fact. Frog
“Looking to the future, in a few decades, what will we call those that served, but never deployed in the last 15 years since 9/11? “GWOT Era Vets” “OIF Era Vets” “OEF Era Vets”? ”
Hah–it’s going to be even less clear in the future as these wars are so different. For example, I spent more time as a civilian in Iraq and Afghanistan getting shot at than I did on active duty who never deployed. What do you call them (and don’t give me a rash because I know civilians killed over there from combat action)? Now, I am pretty adjusted and not running around wearing hats and such making claims of chasing Bin Laden or Saddam but there are/will be others out there making/will be making all sorts of claims. How do you back check them? What about guys who fly the cargo planes in? I also know of active duty pogues that did virtually nothing but stayed in the wire eating at the DFAC and some of them are claiming all sorts of silliness. I think we are only going to see this stolen valor disease go off the rails in a few years and it is less clear that these labels apply.
Boswell just got back from an Honor Flight to DC. Reports he still wanders local Walmart in his Nam Vet hat.