The story quoted several military officials by name who said their decision to purchase Notes for various branches of the Marines was influenced in part by Papows' impressive but now questionable military record. There is little evidence of material impact. Nothing has changed as far as the product and overall company are concerned. A few Marine officers might be a little red-faced, but this would not be the first time someone embellished or made up a military career. Papows deserves a better fate.
Leadership is a complicated thing.
If it requires honesty, integrity, hard work and guts, Papows scores a 2.5 and maybe even a 3 on a scale of 4, even if all the allegations are true. He works incredibly hard. I was under the impression Papows had been a fighter pilot, although he had never told me so. I recall he had jet pilot memorabilia in his office, including a picture of him dressed in pilot gear, standing in front of a war plane. That's no crime, but they reinforced the untruths.