Military scams create problems for real service members - Second mercenary busted

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/brown/200479,CST-NWS-brown07.article

Lawrence Masa, the Orland paramedic accused of pretending to be an Army reservist, was apparently the type who liked to talk about his military exploits -- up to a point.

"Gentlemen, duty calls again," Masa gravely told fellow members of a DuPage County interjurisdictional SWAT team before what authorities now say was one of his phony "deployments."

When they asked him what unit he was in or what he would be doing, though, Masa would tell them he couldn't say, that it was all top-secret stuff. So convincing was his swagger -- and his skills as a tactical emergency medical technician -- that they believed him. snip

Late Friday, Lemont fire officials acknowledged that a member of their department, Steve Slawinski, who also happens to be a buddy of Masa, had been arrested for carrying out a similar scheme.

The second arrest increases the risk that soldiers legitimately taking a leave will be subjected to suspicion and mistrust.

[sarge43]

1. I see an opportunity here with these wannabes

The army needs recruits; these jerks seem to like strutting their stuff. Yes, rather than fine and imprison them, give them a shot at the real deal. Once that becomes routine, I'm fairly sure this impersonation crap will stop.

[NNN0LHI]

2. As someone else pointed out though...

...who would want scum like this watching their backs in a tight spot?

These boys would run away if the going ever got tough I bet.

Don

[sarge43]

3. Oh, there are plenty of nasty jobs in the service that don't involve

risking someone else's life. No, these creatures couldn't handle a day's worth of reality, even the noncombat kind. All I'd like is for some 20 year old corps(wo)man who just returned from a second round in the hellhole to see these posers wimp and whine.

[Toots]

4. It is the blood and gore that bothers me and they don't seem bothered by it

I think they would fit in rather well. You would be amazed at how much false bravado there is in the Service..Not every person in Iraq goes on patrol or sees any enemy activity yet many will dress the part and act the part..