I've been poring over the MPRC site over the past couple of weeks, but I can't find a definitive answer to whether or not a third party can obtain basic (non-privacy act) military service information on an individual. I figured some of you might know because of Stolen Valor issues.

This is not a Stolen Valor situation, but rather a situation where I think a veteran has been lying about the characterization of his discharge in order to manipulate people. More specifically, he claims he was dishonorably discharged and that an incredible injustice has been perpetrated against him so people feel sorry for him and whatnot. It's really kind of odd, but got more interesting when I approached him to explain that he can apply to have his discharge upgraded under certain conditions and I told him the process. His response was that he was fully aware of the process but had no desire to get his discharge upgraded because "all people need to know is that [he] was dishonorably discharged."

Then about three weeks ago I was talking with someone who is a mutual friend and that friend mentioned this veteran was applying for USMC OCS. I said it was't going to happen because of his dishonorable discharge. My friend gave me a strange look and told me the guy was honorably discharged.

I'm not sure what the guy's deal is to lie about having a dishonorable discharge, but if it's at all possible, I'd like to see if there is a way to officially determine the real characterization of his discharge.

I will never understand pathological liars

He also claims he's got PTSD and has a 60% disability from being deployed to a combat zone.

60% disability can be given for stubbing your toe. PTSD diagnosis can come from basic. He might be telling the truth about that.

I exaggerate, but the VA rating system is convoluted as all kinds. I know a Sailor on 100% for a broken arm, PTSD, & sleep apnea. One of my former Soldiers is on 60% & lost his leg in an ambush. Go figure.

The Sailor never deployed, or ever served in the fleet, yet still received a PTSD diagnosis.

When I was a recruiting company CO I fielded some inquiries like this. That might be a good place to start.

A dishonorable discharge is a federal conviction equivalent. You could just do a basic courthouse background check and it would come up at the very top of the page

Shouldn't there be a way to request a record via the archives with a FOIA request?