Raul Medina Jr – Master Sergeant, Army Ranger, 75th Ranger Battalion, Blog of Shame
1207/27/2016 by militaryphonies
BACKGROUND
Raul Medina Jr. posts a lot of photos and claims of him being a Vietnam veteran. He claims he was a Master Sergeant (E-8) and served with the 75th Ranger Regiment.
Also wears a Combat Infantryman Badge on his Army veteran uniform.
In fact, Medina took a lot of liberty with the uniform that he put together. The woodland cammies are not Vietnam-era and his beret is worn incorrectly.
Wearing beret wrong
He proudly displays the RANGER tab on his uniform.
Wearing Ranger Tab
Raul and his custom designed uniform seem to be inseparable.
Jump wings on a cover that he wears with his own flair, not Army regs.
Then of course, the 75th Ranger Regiment.
75th
He claims to be a Vietnam Veteran. In fact, it would be hard to miss that claim.
Medina claims to be a Master Sergeant (E-8). See above photo for rank and below photo for claim of Master Sergeant.
But here he is claiming E-6 vs. E-8. Which is it?
Claiming E-6
Everyone wants their photo with Raul.
But since he claimed he graduated high school in 1973, that would leave a very small window that he could have been in Vietnam.
Raul Medina Jr.’s official military records were requested. He has no middle name.
FOIA RESULTS
FOIA Page 1
FOIA Page 3
FOIA Page 2
Pic included in FOIA
DISCUSSION AND SUMMARY
Raul Medina Jr. spent three years on active duty in the US Army.
He was not in Vietnam according to his records. Entering the US Army in 1973 would have made it tough to get the training and get sent to Vietnam anyway, which raised an initial red flag.
Also, according to his records Medina was discharged as a Private First Class (E-3 in the US Army) vs. the claim of Master Sergeant (E-8).
The Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), Airborne, and Air assault wings are not in his records.
He was stationed in Batteries in Fort Polk, LA and Fort Bliss, TX. There is nothing in his official military records to support his claim of being an Army Ranger nor support for him being stationed with the 75th Ranger Regiment.
Some may admire Raul since he saves a lot of time because not much goes into his decision of what to wear each day, but more people would take exception to him making claims that are not supported in his records.
Link to Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010746154077
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This Ain’t Hell: http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=67117
Statement from Marco “Maverick”Soto, Founder & CEO of Maverick Movement:
“Raul Medina has dishonored himself and has dishonored his service to United States Military. Please see the link to read for yourselves. Raul Medina fraudulently misled Maverick Movement in order to receive financial assistance from Maverick Movement. We apologize for our lack of background support which would have alleviated any involvement with the said individual. Please do not affiliate the Maverick Movement with Raul Medina as we were grotesquely misled and wrongly utilized for his financial gain.
Thank you for reading and PLEASE share. Stolen Valor is injustice type epidemic and a serious crime done onto the integrity of honest veterans.”
Marco “Maverick”Soto
Founder&CEO
Maverick Movement
He served when others didn’t. Guess now he is old he wants to be a Hero. Attention whore.
LOL! There was no Tech Sgt in the US Army from the late 40’s on, his Ranger Tab istotally wrong size, and he has no clue about pretty much everything. Moron…
Just freaking wow… Dude, your time of being a poser shit bag are over.. now we expose your wrinkled ass to the world.. You fucked real Rangers and they don’t take that kindly.
I FB messaged him, his family, numerous of his FB friends, Maverick Movement, and the District Attorney where he lives and informed them of this story.
Heard back from a couple, thanking for the info. One was his son who isn’t very appreciative. I can understand the shock, his anger is towards me but I’m not the one who lied.
DId you also inform the local news and press outlets? I am sure they would want to interview such a distinguished (sarcasm intended) veteran!
[…] folks at Military Phony sent us their work on this Raul Medina fellow. He thinks that he was in Vietnam and that he was a […]
1st Ranger Battalion was not in Vietnam. Headquarters, Forces Command, issued General Order 127, directing the activation of the 1st Battalion (Ranger), 75th Infantry, with an effective date of January 31, 1974. Selection continued from March through June 1974, as personnel assembled at Fort Benning, Ga., where cadre training was conducted. On July 1, 1974, the battalion parachuted into Fort Stewart, Ga., where the battalion was stationed until moving to Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., September 1978. The unit’s first combat action wasn’t until 1980, as Company C, 1st Battalion (Ranger), 75th Infantry participated in the Iranian hostage rescue attempts.
I am Founder & CEO of the Maverick-Movement NPO who’s primary focus is soldier suicide awareness and prevention. Our 501(c) identification number is 47-5556445 . I was forwarded this link and I am appauled at its contents. The Maverick Movement has been mislead by Raul Medina and financially used by this man. The Maverick Movement has no ties to himnir is he in any sense employed at Maverick Movement. Raul Medina only tie to our organization is assistance/support he unreservedly received. Please advise on how we can avoid any negative backlash of our organization as we were grotesquely mislead to achieve our support. Our financial support rendered to Raul Medina was done only because of the severity of his then current need. Maverick Movemente DOES NOT help veterans finacially. As CEO I made an executive decision only because of his below standard living conditions and his said service. I accept responsibility for not properly vetting him but I dont have resources to do so. Please advise on how I can rectify to avoid any further tarnish our mission for others Veterans who do need our support. I can provide detailed information of the dollar amount spent on him if needed ,that totaled over $1500. I am wiling to also provide any of my personal information or documentation of organization required like my DD214, NPO status of our 501(c) 3 to verify our legitimacy. Thank you for your enlightenment on this individual.
Marco “Maverick” Soto
If what you say is true then this is a classic case of Stolen Valor. He needs to be reported by you to the FBI. He profited by his false claims. It’s not so much about punishing him as it is about preventing others from doing this same thing. If they see they are held accountable, it would be a deterrent. I know it is slightly a shock that your trust was violated but you were not wrong in placing your trust in someone. The reason you have to initiate the complaint with the FBI under the Stolen Valor Act of 2013 is that you are in possession of evidence of financial gain. An outsider, no matter how passionate they would be about pursuing this is not in the same unique position that you are. Please consider following through and keep up the fantastic work that you are doing with veterans and don’t be deterred.
KBW83 is correct. NPO’s like your need to report any and all violations of the stolen valor act at every occurrence. These posers need to see that their is consequences for their action as well as your doners need to see that you will not just sit back and allow yourselves and your NPO to be taken advantage of. We veterans appreciate the just and hard work you are doing for our Brothers and Sisters. It burns my soul to see good people screwed but dirt bags. Semper Fi and keep up the good work.
You may want to get in contact with Guardians of Valor http://guardianofvalor.com/ and their companion Facebook page Stolen Valor https://www.facebook.com/StolenValor/?fref=ts they may be able to provide you with advice and guidance. This Ain’t Hell, But you can see it from here http://thisainthell.us/blog/?page_id=30655 is another site that specializes in outing fakers.