Absolutely - if any of the folk here wanna see, I'd send them an example of how I edited my documents for the other site I'm on. Basically sent my name, proof of assignments (although it's not complete list) awards (incomplete, too) and period of service on my DD214s (I have two). I emailed them in to an admin - here's their stated privacy policy:
In recent years the art of falsifying military service and awards (a.k.a. posing) has become a frequent occurance within the military community. Obviously this is an unacceptable practice and opens the door to operational and personal security violations. ... We do not have the time or patience to try and figure out who exactly you are and what type of OPSEC/PERSEC you should be privy to, so in order to eliminates any ambiguity that may otherwise exist the verification process was implemented. This process ensures that our members and visitors are communicating with credible professionals and it also preserves the integrity of the community...
The preferred method is via email. You can send your documentation (preferably with sensitive information redacted)...once your verification packet has been completed, your information will be destroyed
Keep in mind, this is a military forum/community. It's much more essential in that environment. Still, doing something like that (Verify-LITE?), would provide another good way to recognize the service of our membership; and again, be completely optional. I would, personally, however, feel much better about debating/discussing this stuff with folks I knew (or had reasonable assurance) weren't imposters.
Just an idea - not going to mandate or start anything - will leave that up to others. Maybe I'll create a custom 'Verified' badge and try it out?
Jim - if we do something like this, I'd have the first person I verify, verify ME - so there's some accountability; vs me just declaring i'm 'verified', ya know? Make sense?
“… the greatest detractor from high performance is fear: fear that you are not prepared, fear that you are in over your head, fear that you are not worthy, and ultimately, fear of failure. If you can eliminate that fear—not through arrogance or just wishing difficulties away, but through hard work and preparation—you will put yourself in an incredibly powerful position to take on the challenges you face" - Pete Carroll.