Noteboom The Law Firm

Exposing Fraudulent Navy SEALs Is Constant Work

In order to wear the Navy SEAL trident, recruits must endure and survive some of the most draining, difficult, and rigorous training in any branch of the military. Their missions are among the most dangerous yet least known. This is what makes SEAL imposters so insulting to actual SEALs. Reaping the benefits without the work does not fly with those who have put in the work.

Steeped in dark secrets, folklore, concealed international missions, and mystery, it is not hard to see why people would want to associate themselves with such elite soldiers. This has been most apparent over the last couple of months following a SEAL team killing Osama Bin Laden.

The people falsely claiming to be SEALs range from neighborhood bar patrons to people on Facebook, to national figures. The illegality of impersonating members of the military, or wearing medals never won is not dissuading, as the law is rarely enforced. The Department of Defense (DoD) does not have the resources to check up on everyone claiming to be a SEAL.

A small group of volunteer civilians and veterans, however, do the checking up themselves. There were only 500 SEALs who served in Vietnam. There are approximately 7,000 veteran SEALs and 2,200 currently on active duty. The claims of most saying they are SEALs or former SEALs are likely false.

The majority of the time these claims are harmless, except to actual SEALs. Other times, however, the lies are the basis for theft. One investigation found such fraudulent claims resulted in more than $1 million in benefit compensation being stolen from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.