November 11, 201114 yr Hey guys, Goto Postgazette.com right now ( a pittsburgh newspaper website) and they have a photo on their front page of a "former" marine. Am I the only one finding something strange with his uniform?
November 11, 201114 yr Author And an AFAM and AF Marksmanship Ribbon...and a Army Basic Training Ribbon.... WTH.
November 11, 201114 yr Also, is it normal to put wings on the right? I have never seen that anywhere.
November 11, 201114 yr Also, is it normal to put wings on the right? I have never seen that anywhere. I do not know much atall about the Marines' uniforms, but I have never seen any of their aviators with wings on the right side. Is there a larger file of the image?
November 11, 201114 yr James Eichner (412) 486-4126 208 Maryland Dr Glenshaw, PA 15116-1724 Call him and ask.
November 11, 201114 yr I asked the post gazette for a high-res photo.....but I smell a rat Did you use the contact info provided at the bottom of the page?
November 11, 201114 yr AF Command Pilot wings on his chest and what looks like SSgt. Stripes on his sleeve? Also ribbons I can make out are: Meritorious Service Air Force Achievement Navy Unit Commendation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal National Defense Service Medal Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon Air Force NCO PME Graduate Ribbon AF Training Army Service
November 11, 201114 yr Those might be USMC jump wings, they are a lot wider than AF and Army wings: But the ribbons do raise a serious question...
November 11, 201114 yr The dude in question is wearing wings with a wreath around a star. I'm pretty sure the Marines dont have a star or wreath above jump wings to signify experience or a certain amount of jumps. I could be wrong though.
November 11, 201114 yr The dude in question is wearing wings with a wreath around a star. I'm pretty sure the Marines dont have a star or wreath above jump wings to signify experience or a certain amount of jumps. I could be wrong though. Good point, doesn't look like the Navy/Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia have any ratings beyond "basic." Do Marines wear foreign jump wings like the Army?
November 11, 201114 yr Good point, doesn't look like the Navy/Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia have any ratings beyond "basic." Do Marines wear foreign jump wings like the Army? The more I look at that pic, it is very clear that those are some sort of AF wings. This guys is a fraud. I'm with CH, release the Hounds!
November 11, 201114 yr This is the image in question 1. Those wings look silver. IIRC, the only silver wings regularly worn by enlisted Marines are Combat Aircrew Wings and Basic Parachutisit wings: These ain't what he's wearing... 2. IIRC, the only time a Marine would wear any "breast insignia" on the right, is if they already had two authorized insignia above the ribbons & badges on the left. This is obviously not the case. (In 11 years, I think I saw that instance twice. Both individuals were probably already Staff NCOs when Christ was a Corporal.) 3. Star on his NDSM, no (visible) stars on his Good Conduct, no award bars on his Expert shooting badges, and (at least) SSgt chevrons. Something's not right...... ** Edit for more info and format. Edited November 11, 201114 yr by JarheadBoom
November 11, 201114 yr Whoa whoa whoa... let's slow it down. Has anyone checked with to see if this guy is legit?
November 11, 201114 yr As far as I know, the only "foreign" device I have seen on a Marine is Army Jump wings, and if they happen to go to both Benning and get Naval jump wings, they are supposed to only wear the Naval jump wings. And the jump wings always go above the ribbon on a Marine's uniform, never seen someone with wings on the right side. I could be wrong though, it has happened once, but only once.
November 11, 201114 yr Author As a support dude, I love the fact that you guys attacked this with vigor. I will call the paper tomorrow then make a call to the FBI field office. There are few spots for AF officers to chat online...I might lose you on the finer details of TAMI-21 and unneeded pain of white jets or an Alpha tour... But glad we value the same things.
November 11, 201114 yr Yes, these guys always come out this time of year. With the modern internets, there is absolutely no excuse for poor uniform decisions for the up-and-coming or experienced fraud. This guy should share a cell with Sandusky.
November 11, 201114 yr Those are definitely AF rated aircrew wings...pic is too small to tell if they are pilot or nav wings (but from what I can tell they are pilot wings). Also, he's got on the Army service ribbon and the AF training ribbon...aside from the fact that unless he sampled service in three of the four branches, they aren't even in the right precedence...
November 11, 201114 yr Author With it being a federal holiday, there are no agents in the Pittsburgh field office today. I will call again on Monday.
November 12, 201114 yr You know he's eating for free at Golden Corral today. No Shame! FAKE: If he was real, he'd be eating at Hooter's with the rest of us REAL Vets!
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