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03-17-2008, 03:52 PM
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GreekChat Member
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 30
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Pledge possibly lying about military service..
We've had a pledge in our house for several months now and he's a great friend of mine. He's a stand up guy, respectful, intelligent, funny, etc. Personally one of the most interesting people i've met in college. One of things that our chapter really liked about him was that he had served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan which we hold very highly in our house. Our chapter has many veterans and our national fraternity itself was founded by Cadets at Virginia Military Institute.
Today I was speaking with a classmate who was in ROTC with our pledge at one point. When I brought up the pledge's name he began laughing and said that he was joke in ROTC and is lying about ever being in the military at all. Also that the ROTC students hate him for lying about his service. According to this kid our pledge completely fabricated his entire experience in the military. Many of the points the ROTC member made began to make sense the more i thought about it and i became suspicious.
Honestly I want to believe our pledge and at this point I do. Right now it's one person's word against one of my close friend's. I'm really looking for advice on a way to find out if this has any truth in it other than asking him directly; which i would feel could be the most disrespectful thing EVER to do to a vet.
This is a situation i've never even fathomed dealing with and i'd appreciate any help you can get me.
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Alpha Tau Omega est. 1865
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03-17-2008, 04:07 PM
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I would call your local VA office, explain the situation and see if they can help you out. You won't have any peace of mind until you do, but I agree, asking him and then having him really be a vet would be horrible. However, if he's lying to you he could be lying in other situations (where veteran status could get him advantages your average person wouldn't be entitled to). Good luck and I hope everything turns out OK.
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It is all 33girl's fault. ~DrPhil
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03-17-2008, 04:12 PM
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Super Moderator
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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I'd drop him if this can be confirmed. In my mind, it shouldn't take much to drop a pledge. This seems to be something indicating that this fella is a pathological liar. I've known pledges like this as well. Don't worry about it, just drop him. These sorts have a way of "turning" on you after awhile. They can keep up this charade of normalcy for awhile, then they'll go off the deep end.
Just drop him. No pledge should ever cause the house any sort of drama. I agree with you regarding the military service issue as my organization as you probably well know has its ties to VMI as well.
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"EXCELLING WITH HONOR"
S N E T T
Mu Tau 5, Central Oklahoma
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03-17-2008, 04:21 PM
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GreekChat Member
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 110
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First, if you haven't done this already, have a meeting with your chapter's brothers and tell them about what you've heard about this particular pledge.
Second, have another meeting with the pledge, yourself, the pledge educator, and your chapter president. Give the pledge an opportunity to explain himself, and tell his side of the story. If possible, ask for documented proof that he is in the military, like a military ID card, all servicepeople should
have one.
Third, If you find that the pledge has lied about his service record, discuss, amongst your chapter brothers, possible repercussions for the pledge. This can range from giving him the opportunity to redeem himself in his pledgeship all the way down to his being dropped from the pledge program.
Fourth, reach an agreement with your pledge brothers about what to do with regards to the pledge. Call the pledge back into a meeting with his pledge educator, yourself, the chapter president, etc. and notify him of your decision.
*I know you stated that you didn't want to confront the pledge to his face, but there's no way, that I know of, that you can legally access someone's service record without their knowledge.
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Θητα Δελτα Σιγμα
Society, Incorporated
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03-17-2008, 05:04 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Someplace fabulous!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elusive47
First, if you haven't done this already, have a meeting with your chapter's brothers and tell them about what you've heard about this particular pledge.
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I would say, first get the facts. There's no sense in starting out by spreading rumors about the pledge. If it turns out he's lying then go to your brothers.
Best of luck with this. It's a tough one.
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Kappa Delta
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03-17-2008, 05:06 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
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i haven't revealed it to any other brothers yet because word spreads and i'd hate to give this kid a bad reputation and find out he's legit.
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Alpha Tau Omega est. 1865
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03-17-2008, 05:12 PM
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Keep in mind this information may be confidential, and you may need to explain why it is needed.
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Sigma Kappa
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The BEST girls wear PEARLS
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03-17-2008, 05:47 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Occupied Territory CSA
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Black ball him just for the heckuvit
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Overall, though, it's the bigness of the car that counts the most. Because when something bad happens in a really big car – accidentally speeding through the middle of a gang of unruly young people who have been taunting you in a drive-in restaurant, for instance – it happens very far away – way out at the end of your fenders. It's like a civil war in Africa; you know, it doesn't really concern you too much. - P.J. O'Rourke
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03-17-2008, 06:47 PM
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GreekChat Member
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Home is where the Army sends us
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Only Active Duty will still have an ID card (or reservist) but he should have his formal discharge or release papers. Maybe ask to see his photos from Iraq and see if he is in green BDU's or tan Dessert Camo (which he would be in if he was there). Ask where he was commissioned (if he was a ROTC officer) or where he did Basic Training (if he was enlisted). Find out what unit he was in. Most college ROTC websites have photos or press releases of the kids that just got commissioned. Maybe he quit ROTC and just enlisted? See if his timeline is feasible.
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03-17-2008, 07:07 PM
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GreekChat Member
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Bryan, TX
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Ask for his DD214.
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Laws alone can not secure freedom of expression; in order that every man present his views without penalty there must be spirit of tolerance in the entire population.-Einstein
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03-17-2008, 07:20 PM
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Super Moderator
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: naples, florida
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i agree with leslie anne-don't say anything to anyone else until you truly know the facts. it sounds like you are trying to do the right thing and are taking your time to get it right.
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03-17-2008, 08:15 PM
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Would this guy be in ROTC if he had already served? I thought ROTC was for PRE-service?
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Love. Labor. Learning. Loyalty.
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03-17-2008, 08:24 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Down the street
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scoobis
stand up
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I never knew this phrase existed until GC.
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03-17-2008, 08:24 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,648
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He could be doing a Green-to-Gold program. This is a program for outstanding junior enlisted and young NCOs to obtain their BA/BS and a commission as a O-1.
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....but some are more equal than others.
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03-17-2008, 09:07 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Norfolk,VA
Posts: 7
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If he claims he is a vet ask him to show you his DD 214, Discharge Papers and Separation Documents.
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