Thank you for the clarification. In light of this information, his “lie” is a little more nuanced than many we have seen. I would expect he would know better so it doesn’t make it any less of a lie.
(Just staying objective and free thinking)
We can nuance it a bit more and make the leap that the 82nd is a Spec Ops unit, or while there may have fallen out under Spec Ops for one mission or another.
HOWEVER, I will tell you that I was once assigned to a Spec Ops unit for a 6 week mission. I know better that to say I was Spec Ops, for fear I will get smacked upside the head.
nuance...has become a liberal code word for your too dumb to understand.