Enhancing record

e-mail this story discuss this issue in our forums

By most accounts James McClain was highly qualified to serve as state director of probation and parole. He held this position filled by gubernatorial appointment for only five months before resigning after questions were raised by The Greenville News about McClain's military service record.

It defies logic that someone would enhance his resume in this age when many powerful people have taken an embarrassing public fall after it was discovered that they had exaggerated their accomplishments. McClain, who was appointed in April by Gov. Mark Sanford, was a career Marine who had served as director of public affairs for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at El Toro Air Station in California and as an airborne coordinator of aircraft.

McClain resigned after questions were raised about the public claim that he was "the United States Marine Corps' director of public affairs" and had been a "tactical jet aviator." These positions were clearly a stretch from what can be found in the official record, and for that McClain has paid a price that serves as one more lesson to people looking for a high-profile job.