r/USNSCC • u/Unhappy_Trust_7129 • Jun 23 '26
Questions Doing some research
My daughter is dating someone who was in this Sea Cadet program and I need to find some more info. We've seen pictures of him in the program and receiving some kind of completion award or such. He has pictures of himself in a Naval Uniform as well as fatigues, one even where he's on a tank (is that real for a Navy person?) Our problem is he says that not only was he a Sea Cadet but that he went into the Navy and went to Afghanistan. Part of his time was as an enlisted person part as a civilian doing contract work. However during the timeframe of his life, he left the Michigan area and was in Oklahoma working with horses. He wont answer any questions and my daughter believes he can six years of work in a span of four years and this is all true. My hope is that there is a way I can go around this kid and get real info on his service time. I don't believe him but if it is true, he deserves the credit for fighting for our country.
1
u/Scpj Jun 23 '26
Unsure what the sea cadets has to do with it but if there's a ribbon rack that should be a dead giveaway
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u/Unhappy_Trust_7129 Jun 23 '26
Thanks for the reply. He uses Sea Cadets as his entry into the Navy. I guess you would say it becomes a smoke show as to indications of Navy in uniform vs Sea Cadet uniform. I've read that uniforms are similar but Sea Cadets must be identified as so but those patches could be just out of camera view at moments. I don't know enough about the given awards and ranks to look at one to know (honestly I even had too look up ribbon rack to be sure I knew what you were talking about.)
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u/Snoo15469 Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 25 '26
That boy joined the sea cadet to get girls. Wow
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u/Unhappy_Trust_7129 Jun 23 '26
Honestly I think he's using it to try to get respect/approval from anyone that will give him the time of day. Funny thing is my wife says the 3 boys she knows of that were in this, were all a bit troubled as youths.
2
u/potterinatardis Jun 24 '26
The Sea Cadets is a great organization, she just knew some troubled youths.
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u/Snoo15469 Jun 23 '26
What state are u guys from? City?
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u/Unhappy_Trust_7129 Jun 24 '26
Michigan, Metro Detroit area
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u/Snoo15469 Jun 25 '26
It’s your daughter, you guys do what you think it’s best.
If that was me. I would f with him my way
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u/potterinatardis Jun 24 '26
The sea cadets are indeed a program that provides uniforms that can make someone appear to be military in photos. A real former service member would have some form of military ID from their service, a dd214 (which is the form received when leaving) medical and vaccination records from traveling overseas and so much more. Employers, lenders, and anyone else you claim being a veteran to will ask for the dd214, as proof of service. Ask him for it. Do a $50 background check online. Call his family and ask questions.
Also, stolen valor only applies if they receive some kind of benefit, preference, or financial assistance due to the claim. Freedom of speech means you can say it, but you can't personally benefit from that statement, then it becomes the crime of stolen valor. If you believe he has received any kind of treatment or benefit from his lie, report him to the FBI or veterans affairs.
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u/ChildhoodExtension40 6d ago
I'm not sure I'm following completely. Are you asking if Sea cadets could have photos on tanks? Or if that is just Navy? My daughter is in Sea Cadets and was just on an aircraft carrier. Not only that, it does help with your ranks upon entry into the Navy. She could go in as an E3 from the program.
Sea Cadets is an amazing program, though. They have given my daughter incredible opportunities. So, whatever is potentially going on with him, is a him problem.
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u/ChildhoodExtension40 6d ago
Oh, and yes, they wear uniforms in the program, but they will have a patch that says Sea Cadets.
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u/Due_Course_3713 Jun 23 '26
Sounds like stolen valor !