Records fail to back some of Wash. state lawmaker's military service claims

Stars and Stripes ^ | 1/25/16 | Brunner

[pabianice]

In May of 2014, a dramatic Iraq war photo was posted to the Facebook page of state Rep. Graham Hunt, R-Orting, showing two kneeling U.S. soldiers in desert combat uniforms, one man consoling the other.

“This picture of me was taken after a mortar attack in 2005,” the post said. “Background has been modified, but I think combat camera captured the moment pretty well. I surely have not forgotten that moment.”

Hunt is a decorated former Arizona Air National Guard member who deployed to the Middle East. But neither soldier in the picture was him. The image was a doctored version of a 2003 Associated Press photo of two military policemen from Ohio during a deployment near Baghdad.

The photo was removed several months later, with Hunt saying a campaign volunteer had posted it without his knowledge.

It’s not the only question to surface regarding Hunt’s descriptions of his military record...

[pabianice]

"“I have been completely transparent with Mr. Brunner about my military service. I am a combat veteran, and served my country overseas in multiple deployments to the Middle East, including to Iraq and Afghanistan. Records with the Air Reserve Personnel Center were not automated in 2001 and 2003 as they are now, so I do not have a complete copy of all my records. I do, however, have records of the following medals I received:

Air Force Achievement Medal

Air Force Expeditionary Service Medal

Combat Readiness Medal

National Defense Service Medal

Air Reserve Force Meritorious Service Medal, 2 Devices

Armed Forces Reserve Medal

“I am proud to have served this country honorably in the armed forces, and will continue to do so in my service as a state representative.”

[napscoordinator]

If he is a fraud, put him in jail. Of course now it is considered free speech. UGH! If he is found out to be a fraud then he will probably be reelected. Voters tend to love liars now a days.

[2banana]

I can never understand that those with perfectly honorable service records want to throw it all away by lying about it to puff it up.

Be proud of what you did in the military. Only 1% of the population have even served. Much less overseas...

[Tupelo]

Long story in order to tall us that Rep. Graham Hunt, R-Washington is a lying son of a bitch.
Sorry, but that could have been accomplished in one paragraph. Actually in one sentence. But Rep. Graham Hunt, R-Washington ain’t that much different from the rest. They are all lying sons of bitches in one way or the other. The word Politician is just a nice way of putting it.

[lacrew]

“When asked about where he’d seen combat and suffered wounds, Hunt did not provide details but said he is receiving disability benefits for service-related injuries that he declined to elaborate on.”

Hmmm

[Perseverando]

Ummm? Not much of a Republician, IMHO.

Stolen valor much, Hunt?

[Bob]

“not automated” — Pure BS. I can get the DD-214 from my 1975 Navy discharge in less than a week if I need to. I’ve done it before.

[CPOSharky]

Those “awards” look like they are for just being somewhere, not necessarily for actually doing anything.

[Don Corleone]

When asked about where he had seen combat and suffered wounds, Hunt did not provide details but said he is receiving disability benefits for service-related injuries that he declined to elaborate on.

Was he shot in the ass with a grain of rice like John (served in Vietnam) Kerry?

[USNBandit]

ebenefits.gov will normally give you a response on requested documents within 4 hours, although they say it can take a day.

If you are eligible for VA benefits, I highly recommend getting vetted for a premium account.

[rktman]

Well, heck yeah. Now the supremes have dictated that anyone can wear/obtain/claim to be a MOH recipeint. Get yours today. You can move to the head of the line at the VA if you have one. Upside to this is you don’t have to have the lyin’ king present it to you.

[lacrew]

We don’t know...just like Kerry, Hunt will not release his military records.

[Bob]

I’ve used the Navy Personnel Records Center (somewhere back east, I’ve forgotten exactly where) and gotten my DD-214 in about five days by snail mail. Is ebenifits similar to the VA’s healthevet system?

[moehoward]

If you read the article it sounds like someone took liberties with embellishment, and not much of it. His record is extensive.

[pfflier]

Yup. All “been there done that” stuff everybody gets. Nutin’ special.

[Bob]

The VA won’t just take your word for it. If it’s not on your DD-214, it doesn’t count.

[USNBandit]

eBenefits has everything. Your full VA profile, all the VA letters you might need, status of any claims, educational benefits, a request portal for electronic delivery of any military records you ask for.

When I was applying for a VA home loan, I literally logged onto the website at the lender's office, pulled up a VA eligibility letter, and printed it on the spot.

[IYAS9YAS]

Those "awards" look like they are for just being somewhere, not necessarily for actually doing anything.

Pretty much. The Air Force Expeditionary Service Medal means he went overseas in support of a contingency, but that doesn't mean he actually saw direct combat.

The Combat Readiness medal doesn't mean he saw combat, either.

Hell, I was in the Air Force, stationed in Korea, then Tucson, AZ during Desert Shield/Storm in 1991. I got the National Defense Service Medal. Didn't do a damned thing toward National Defense as far as I was concerned.

Also, in 2002, GWB signed a bill authorizing the retroactive award called Korea Defense Service Medal, which was awarded to anyone serving in Korea for more than (IIRC) 30 days (maybe 60) post 1954 to present. I could have my DD-214 amended to show that medal, but really don't want to go through the hassle of it all. None of the medals I "earned" on my Air Force tour of duty were much to brag about. Mostly good boy crap, made it out of basic crap, went overseas crap, was in long enough to get this award crap, or otherwise. The only one I really think I earned was my qualifying expert on the .38 for flight status. The rest were just part of the job.

[rktman]

Photo shop? And, I’m gonna order some 5 star collar pins too. :>)

[Fundamentally Fair]

What a POS.