Almost a year ago, on March 4, 2019, the President signed Executive Order 13860 into effect. This order was to support transition of those service members with sea going experience better transition to the Merchant Marine with credentialing opportunities and the like.
Looking to start a discussion in regards to working in the maritime industry as a veteran: those that are looking/curious about this path post service and to have a conversation with those that are already in the industry.
For me, I’m studying at a maritime academy working towards a Third Mate Coast Guard License (to work as deck officer). I have looked into the order but failed to find how this benefits anyone looking to be in a leadership capacity in the maritime industry, rather than AB opportunities.
TL;DR - British-born Bangladesh origin bloke comes to Dhaka offering to train and sponsor people for a gym he runs in Birmingham. Claims to be in the Royal Marines among other things. Flies off to UK shortly after receiving a lump sum of money from folks in Dhaka, Bangladesh and hasn't been in contact since. He may still be doing the same thing in the UK AFAIK.
This started in April 2015, when I met this guy at an MMA gym. Quiet guy, except that he claimed to be in the Royal Marines in the UK. I was interested in knowing more as I have an interest in military culture and discipline. It didn't add up then but he claimed a lot of other things (clinical psychologist with PhD, MMA fighter etc.).
I decided to host him at an empty apartment for 3 months after hanging out and getting to know him and his background. During that 3 months, I asked him to cover the expense of service charges and the bills as he didn't need to pay rent. He refused claiming that there's no service to charge for (this is in Dhaka, Bangladesh so it applies whenever you're living in an apartment complex).
During the 3 month period, starting in June; he started espousing how it's much better that I be in the UK and since I was gracious enough to host him, he's offering to sponsor me to come work at his gym in the UK. All the while claiming that he normally doesn't do this and to not tell anyone else about this (red flag I forgot to notice). I said I'll think about, hoping to think things over. After a month of saying 'let's see' from me and him saying I should hurry up, I finally gave in and gave him the money.
Towards the end of August we go to the bank to hand the money over (I made sure to scan a copy of the check before he cashed it in) and following that I had to send my documents to an address in the UK (supposedly his guy handling the visa).
Then, out of the blue in the middle of September he calls me and says he has to fly back to the UK on emergency. Says he'll keep in touch about the visa. Shortly after, I was talking to a mutual friend and happen to mention about the visa thing; he's surprised to hear and says that he was told the same thing and also gave hime money. Following that, a year's worth of back and forth followed after which he blocks me on facebook after I called him out on the local MMA facebook group in Bangladesh.
I have reason to believe that he's been doing the same under the guise of military service credentials and raising money for charities
... keep reading on reddit ➡
