It's been 8 years since I got out (we'll 6 years since my invol recall) and honesty makes no difference to me. If I was attempting to do a career where it would be needed, or if it was my CAR I would simply fill out a DD215 and just resend the certs that I have or ask our MCMAP instructor if he has his records still, but my war fighting days are behind me.
And after saying all that, Teufel's KW story reminded me that I did know one enlisted Marine that did NOT go to boot camp. It was right around 1990. He had been a SSgt in the Army, got out after 8-9 years, and a couple of months after he left the Army he enlisted in the Corps. Probably because he was turd with five kids to feed who couldn't find a job, but that's a different story... Anyway, he was allowed to join the Corps as a corporal and instead of boot camp he was sent to Corporal's Course. He was issued all of his clothing before he went, but he wore the EGA without ever going to boot camp. Crazy stuff; we used to fuck with him all the time, especially when he tried to convince people that Corporal's Course was just as tough as boot camp.
I thought DD214 mistakes were supposed to go away when they shitcanned IBM Selectrics and carbon paper.
Seriously, all your awards and various schools should be typed out in full, not abbreviated, providing there's room. Purple Heart, not PH. Mountain Warfare School, not MWS, etc etc. Your company 1st Sgt has the responsibility of making sure all information on the DD214 is correct, MOS, everything, before you walk out the door. If anything needs to be added or amended later, it goes on a DD215. In theory at least the 214 should be written in such a way that the average civilian prospective employer can read all the pertinent stuff without having to ask for translation. There should be absolutely no typos, no misspellings, and no sloppiness.
Goddammit, it pisses me off. It's one of the most important documents you'll ever own and it'll follow you right to your funeral.
Body Composition Platoon?
