Phony Marine Standing Guard at School 'Deeply Sorry' for Bad Publicity
A phony Marine standing guard outside a school in California has explained his actions and apologized for any damage or controversy he may have caused. Craig Pusley said he simply wanted to help students feel safe again but feels "horrible" about all the negative publicity he's brought to the Marine Corps.
A photograph of Pusley standing outside Hughson Elementary School was posted on various websites, according to the Navy News. Pusley wore the insignia of the rank of sergeant, which implied that he was a high-level Marine. When asked why he was standing guard outside the school, he told KXTV he wanted "to make the kids feel safe in light of what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary."
"I'm part of a Marine Corps fraternity, and I started noticing online postings that if Marines stood in front of schools, we never would have had the Connecticut problem," Pusley added.
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"When I enlisted, I swore to defend this country from all enemies, foreign and domestic. I just want to be sure all these kids go home safe for Christmas," Pusley told The Modesto Bee.
Yet the Navy News reported that Pusley was never a sergeant and never made it past the rank of private first class. He had been designated a "basic Marine," according to their standards.
"There's a lot of fabrication to this story that didn't come out of my mouth," Pusley told the Marine Corps Times in an interview. "All I know is that I talked to a Modesto Bee lady and everything went crazy. I feel horrible about this. My intention was for the kids. I don't understand why everyone has to find a negative in every situation."
To make matters worse, Pusley admitted he borrowed the fatigues from a friend, which is against Marine Corps policy. He has since agreed to stand guard in front of the school, but without wearing any Marine Corps gear.
"This is not the right thing. Not the right time. And not the right place," Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Mike Barrett told Navy News. "The uniform doesn't make the man. It's your character that defines you."
