So, scrolling through my news feeds and find that a certain reality show has fired not one but two of their hosts for the same offense. Namely, lying about their military and combat experiences and records.
Excuse me, the fuck?
Look, I know that there are packs of liars out there that spout shit about their service. Everyone from professional con artists committing six-figure frauds to the guy talking smack about how high speed he is to the lady at the bar.
But one would think that if your chosen profession involved the intense public eye, you'd at least stop to think that people can and will check? Especially if you appear in something that closely aligns to your service?
I'm gonna give away a warfighting secret here:
Warriors gossip like washerwomen on red bull.
It takes very little to get them going, and an act of a God to get them to stop.
Another warfighting secret: warriors fucking LOVE catching someone else making a small error related to their chosen profession. Marines around the world wet themselves laughing at Tom Cruise saluting indoors without a cover on in A Few Good Men. If you mention a unit, school, or MOS while being a public figure, SOMEONE can and will look you up there.
And from the moment someone says, "I looked, and I can't find a record of that guy that hosts High Speed Thundercock ever going to Special Secret Ninja Blackops School," and posts it on Facebook, it's just a matter of time before you're found out.
And usually done.
I know show business is insanely competitive, and everyone's under a ton of pressure to get the gig before the next guy does, and the temptation to tweak your resume is heavy duty.
Don't.
Fucking.
Do.
It.
I know I harp on this shit a lot, but a big reason for that is because I work with weapons, where integrity is hugely important. Every time I walk on a set or into a rehearsal hall in that capacity, other people's safety winds up in my hands.
If someone can't be trusted to be honest about their experience, how can a cast be expected to trust them with their safety?
Look, I'll go first, OK?
I was on active duty 4 years and 3 months (extended to go on my 3rd deployment). Fought in Iraq and Afghanistan (one deployment each). My second deployment was a MEU that went to the gulf and back. Potential bar brawls and whatever that barmaid in France drugged me with were the worst danger zones I had to contend with on that one. I was an ordinary machine gunner, with some time spent in the armory. My highest personal award is a NAM with a combat "V" and I left active duty as a Corporal. No jump wings, no scuba bubble, and if you do ever find my SRB you'll find a stack of Page 11's on me in there for being a fat fuck. Those are the highlights.
......
......
......
OK, it's been ten minutes. I just checked.
- my website and various social media profiles are all still up.
- My resume hasn't morphed into the words "YOU SUCK" in bright red ink.
- Neither my agent nor various colleagues have blocked my phone number
Hold on to your integrity, folks. Nobody can take it away but you. And once you turn it away, there's not much you can do to get it back.
~J
Excuse me, the fuck?
Look, I know that there are packs of liars out there that spout shit about their service. Everyone from professional con artists committing six-figure frauds to the guy talking smack about how high speed he is to the lady at the bar.
But one would think that if your chosen profession involved the intense public eye, you'd at least stop to think that people can and will check? Especially if you appear in something that closely aligns to your service?
I'm gonna give away a warfighting secret here:
Warriors gossip like washerwomen on red bull.
It takes very little to get them going, and an act of a God to get them to stop.
Another warfighting secret: warriors fucking LOVE catching someone else making a small error related to their chosen profession. Marines around the world wet themselves laughing at Tom Cruise saluting indoors without a cover on in A Few Good Men. If you mention a unit, school, or MOS while being a public figure, SOMEONE can and will look you up there.
And from the moment someone says, "I looked, and I can't find a record of that guy that hosts High Speed Thundercock ever going to Special Secret Ninja Blackops School," and posts it on Facebook, it's just a matter of time before you're found out.
And usually done.
I know show business is insanely competitive, and everyone's under a ton of pressure to get the gig before the next guy does, and the temptation to tweak your resume is heavy duty.
Don't.
Fucking.
Do.
It.
I know I harp on this shit a lot, but a big reason for that is because I work with weapons, where integrity is hugely important. Every time I walk on a set or into a rehearsal hall in that capacity, other people's safety winds up in my hands.
If someone can't be trusted to be honest about their experience, how can a cast be expected to trust them with their safety?
Look, I'll go first, OK?
I was on active duty 4 years and 3 months (extended to go on my 3rd deployment). Fought in Iraq and Afghanistan (one deployment each). My second deployment was a MEU that went to the gulf and back. Potential bar brawls and whatever that barmaid in France drugged me with were the worst danger zones I had to contend with on that one. I was an ordinary machine gunner, with some time spent in the armory. My highest personal award is a NAM with a combat "V" and I left active duty as a Corporal. No jump wings, no scuba bubble, and if you do ever find my SRB you'll find a stack of Page 11's on me in there for being a fat fuck. Those are the highlights.
......
......
......
OK, it's been ten minutes. I just checked.
- my website and various social media profiles are all still up.
- My resume hasn't morphed into the words "YOU SUCK" in bright red ink.
- Neither my agent nor various colleagues have blocked my phone number
Hold on to your integrity, folks. Nobody can take it away but you. And once you turn it away, there's not much you can do to get it back.
~J
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