Two Navy veterans have raised questions about the veracity of Maine gubernatorial candidate Bobby Charles’ military record and sharply criticized his decision to wear a military uniform on Memorial Day.
Claude Berube, a retired Navy Reserve commander, expressed concerns about Charles’ claims regarding his military service in the aftermath of September 11 attacks.
“After 9/11 a lot of reservists asked for active duty,” he told The Maine Wire. “It was rare that anyone served less than a year and most did more.”
Berube said Charles should provide documentation supporting his claims about his military timeline.
“Every officer keeps their DD214,” he said. “Everyone knows where it is, if they have one. He was not a career naval officer, as he claims.”
A DD214 is a comprehensive summary of a U.S. military member’s service and is issued when a service member retires, separates, or is discharged from active duty.
Berube also argued that Charles’ decision to wear a military uniform on Memorial Day was inappropriate.
“It’s clear he was wearing his uniform for political reasons, which is wrong.”
Matt Jacobson unsuccessfully ran for the Republican nomination for governor in 2010, served in the U.S. Navy from 1979 to 1984 and in the Air Force from 1984 to 1992, followed by four years in the Air Force Reserve.
Jacobson told The Maine Wire that Charles is “claiming to be something he is not,” and said he was also offended by Charles wearing his Navy uniform on Memorial Day.
“It’s a problem for me,” he explained. “Him wearing his gift shop bought US Navy hat is wrong. A lot of people served, did real things, don’t make it into something that it is not.”
The Maine Wire asked Charles whether he would provide his DD214, and the candidate responded, “You don’t carry them around with you, but I will hunt up the DD214.”
When asked about criticism of his claim that he went on active duty after 9/11, Charles insisted it was true.
“We were active duty for a couple of months, several months. The goal of that active duty period was to retrain.”
Asked about charges that wearing his uniform on Memorial Day was inappropriate, Charles was emphatic that Navy regulations allowed it and said he personally encourages others to do the same.
“If you have a uniform and you’re going to march, I would argue you probably should march in it, even if you can barely fit into it, which sometimes has been my problem.”
Charles indicated that such criticism is not new for him.
“They say, ‘Well, you cut a video in your uniform.’ It had nothing to do with campaign. I cut a video, which I cut. I’ve cut these multiple years saying, remember the fallen on this day, and remember that every day should be Memorial Day.”
Charles ended the interview with a message for his critics, saying, “Let’s encourage people, and if you have a genuine complaint, make it real, but if it’s fake, don’t keep saying it.”
The Maine Wire has made multiple requests to Mr. Charles for access to his DD214, and although the publication has been assured it would be granted access, it had not received the document as of publication.
“Everything about what I’ve done I am incredibly proud of,” Charles insisted.
