Local pastor made up elaborate Navy SEAL tale

Yahoo News ^ | May 9, 2011 | Liz Goodwin

[BulletBobCo]

In the wake of the dramatic Navy SEAL raid on Osama bin Laden's compound earlier this month, it was perhaps to be expected that some expansive soul would step forward to claim the prestige of a fabricated tour as a SEAL for himself. Such tall tales are not uncommon, after all, amid high-profile military actions.

This time the exposed fabricator was a preacher--though people who monitor this brand of public lie note that members of the clergy are often tempted into such misrepresentations. More curious still, the prevaricator in question seems to have lifted at least some details of his account from the 1992 Steven Seagal SEAL-themed blockbuster, "Under Siege."

Yes, as his area newspaper, the central Pennsylvania Patriot-News, pulled together a dispatch on the exploits of the elite Navy operation, Jim Moats, the pastor at Christian Bible Fellowship Church in Newville, Penn., spun some fantastical details of his alleged time as a Navy SEAL during the Vietnam War.

Moats told his church for five years that he was a former SEAL, and even once wore the elite program's gold Trident medal around town. He elaborated on that tale when his local paper contacted him last week as it was reporting a story about the rigors of SEAL training in the wake of the SEAL raid on Osama bin Laden's compound.

Among other things, Moats said he was subjected to waterboarding when he trained at Little Creek Amphibious Base in Virginia Beach in 1971 and was assigned dishwashing duty for his bad attitude. "I had almost no discipline. I was as wild as they came. That was my nemesis," he told the paper. "They weren't looking for a guy who brags to everyone he is a SEAL.

[BulletBobCo]

In 2005, President George W. Bush signed the Stolen Valor Act into law—legislation that made it a federal crime to claim false military honors. A recent federal appellate court ruling determined that the law’s provisions were an unconstitutional abridgment of free speech. A version of the same legislation is now before Congress, with language designed to avoid the free-speech quandaries raised by the 2005 law.

[Soothesayer9]

Honestly if you asbolutely have to lie about something, make sure it is a lie you cannot be caught in.

A lot better things to lie about in life than being a navy squid!

[Anti-Bubba182]

Phony SEALs?? Fake SEALs?? Wannabe SEALs??

[Jack Hammer]

If you’re going to claim to be a past or current SEAL, they better make a substantial ‘CLANG’ at every step.

[cripplecreek]

This time the exposed fabricator was a preacher--though people who monitor this brand of public lie note that members of the clergy are often tempted into such misrepresentations.

Odd statement. It doesn't quite say that members of the clergy are any more likely than anyone else but it does single them out.

[ConorMacNessa]

Which branch of the service were you in, Soothsayer?

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

I was a member of the US Navy Turtles an ultra-low speed, high drag unit that specialized in being not very special at much of anything...

[doc1019]

I can say that I’m one of only about 247 sailors that served during the Viet Nam war that was not a Navy SEAL. I have run into so many that were, I often wonder who manned the ships during that period of our history. Just say’n

[cripplecreek]

I’m working on getting in shape to join the NAVY Manatees.

[okie01]

I often wonder who manned the ships during that period of our history. Just say’n

Well, there was John Kerry. He served in Viet Nam, y'know.

[doc1019]

LOL! Good comeback.

[KoRn]

This guy can count on some very unpleasant encounters with former ‘real’ SEALs. I understand that they SERIOUSLY frown upon impersonators.

[DainBramage]

I I was Special Ed forces. We always attacked from the little bus.

[Squantos]

I’m retired EOD ....SEAL’s need heros to....:o)

[doc1019]

You made it to retirement! You, sir, are a hero.

[yarddog]

I guess part of it is just human nature.

Since I graduated from high school in 1965, I have noticed that just about every boy played football and an amazing percentage could run the 100 in under 10 seconds.

I suspect that claiming to be an elite warrior has always been common. In ancient Athens, Demosthenes almost single handedly persuaded the Athenians to fight Philip of Macedon.

Several people noticed that he was one of the first to run at the battle of Charonea.

I remember one Summer we had a really good softball team. One guy claimed to have been offered by the St. Louis Cardinals. watching him practice, I noted he really did have all the right motions etc. There was only one problem. He kept dropping balls and making bad throws etc. He was not even high school quality. His letter jacket had MGR across the letter. He told me that meant “most games recorded” instead of manager.

I really can’t understand someone claiming to be a seal tho. It would be so easy to catch him.

[Squantos]

All the experts are dead, all the heros were lucky an the retired are crazy as shithouse rats ... With just a few more holes in em than they were born with....lol.

You stay safe....:o)

[sasportas]

And then you have former seals like Jessee Ventura. I would think real seals cringe at his anti-American bravado.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

I can honestly say I’ve never been in the military, never did anything in any branch of the service, have no medals, was not part of any elite military force - but I have a lot of respect for those who are and were. There, is that so hard?