We have heard a lot about US Navy SEALs and how difficult it is to be one. Their acts of bravery and heroism have been widely known in the country, if not in the world. With such an impressive reputation, it is not unusual for some opportunists to take advantage of this by claiming to be part of the US Navy SEALs when they are not.
I am not really an expert on the inner works of the Navy SEALs, but I believe that outsiders (like me) can make use of certain clues to distinguish the real SEALs from mere actors.
I think the first thing that will give an impostor away is if he claims to be a SEAL without any memory of the BUD/S. Anyone who wishes to become a SEAL needs to undergo this tough training. It’s really simple – no BUD/S, no SEAL. As the training runs through a rough and rugged 6 months, it is highly unlikely that a real SEAL forgets about it. The training is far too intense to be forgettable.
On the other hand, someone who cannot stop talking about his achievements, his medals or his kill count (ugh, please stop!) cannot also be for real. You will never have to brag if there is nothing you have to prove. A real SEAL is secure with his status, and he would not feel any need to broadcast his accomplishments or to strut around wearing his uniform complete with medals, badges and all.
Yes, some people would really go through the entire act and pretend to be SEALs. Why would they not? SEALs are highly regarded in society. It may be understandable for a lot of people to show admiration and to wish that they were SEALs too, but it is totally unacceptable to falsely claim to be one.
January 15th, 2009 - 9:03 am
Help me expose or at least silence an imposter. He has climbed the career ladder on lies of being a Navy Seal.
June 7th, 2009 - 1:58 am
[...] Until its cancellation in November 2005 due to lack of manpower, AuthentiSEALs served as a way to verify a person’s claims of being a SEAL. The site also used to feature a roster called “The Wall of Shame”, which lists people who have been caught masquerading as SEALs. [...]
August 21st, 2009 - 5:58 am
See the topic “Navy Seals” and some similar topics regarding Willard Hartsock, a scoundrel elevator repairman in Asheville, NC who works for Otis Elevators falsely pretending to be a Navy Seal.
Google “Asheville topix forum” and you will see the SOB has been doing this for some time and had people convinced he was a Seal, except for us who knew he was a fraud.
I have at least 2 e-mails in which he brags he’s a Seal, among other things.
This guy is a narcissist with delusions of grandeur.
February 6th, 2010 - 2:54 pm
i just found out my teacher, dean c. ashman, was cought by a former teacher/ex-SEAL. ashman has SEAL tatoos and all to make his story sound real but its a total fake. the frist day of this semester he started to tell us about himself, how hes a war hero. about how he did missions in north korea.
so with this info i aksed my former teacher arroman (real ex-seal) if they knew eachother……and of course ashman had all false info. just google DEAN C. ASHMAN its there
July 18th, 2010 - 7:11 am
need some help here.My name is Bob Nelson, usn ret(1993), from SBU20, little creek, va. trying to help out my folks, in a small town, with a man running for olffice. he say’s he was a seal in vietnam. silver star and 2 bronze stars, along wiht a PH or 2(?). only problem is, his story keeps changin. wonder why? says he was there with john kerry(early 70′s?) goes by the name of Mickey Lloyd. anyone familiar with the name, OR where can i check to verify or dispute the man. actions and details vary/change with each “telling of his story”. doesn’t see real to me. No , i am NOT a seal, just had the opportunity to work with them on numerous occasions. not only a lot of work, but a “hell of a time”! never met a real seal who wasn’t ready and willing to do or give “whatever” he need to do for others.So……..if anyone has any info or knows where i can get info please let me know. would appreciate all the help i can get, e-mail me at hauler49@yahoo.com. Hope everyone is doing well and ya’ll be careful out there! thanks, Bob Nelson (usn ret)
May 9th, 2011 - 12:23 pm
Got a guy running around Saginaw, Mich. claiming to be a Vietnam era SEAL. His stories have set off my “Bullshit Detector”. Can anyobdy help? ~ Patrick Stantiford, USAF Retired.