Civilians posing as vets to get discounts? What would you do?

Maj Stephen Parsons, PhD — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 11:14:22 -0500

Has anyone else run across a civilian posing as a vet to get discounts (Home Depot/Lowes)? What did you do? Do you let them continue or do you correct the situation?

Response by SGT Richard H. made Nov 18 at 2014 11:18 AM

SGT Richard H. — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 11:18:58 -0500

I haven't, but I would correct it on the spot if I knew I was correct.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2014 11:25 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 11:25:12 -0500

Maj Stephen Parsons, PhD, I think the right thing to do would be to correct the situation.

I wonder how they can pose as vets? Any time I've asked for a military/veteran discount at those stores, an ID card is required. I guess slicksters could talk their way around that requirement.

If confronting the individual is a problem (and I could understand that), I would at least let management know it's going on.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2014 11:32 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 11:32:11 -0500

I saw one in a McDonald's but he was doing a lot worse, masquerading as a Veteran, collecting money for Veteran's suicides! I accosted him and told him I am a real veteran. The manager said he had done that before. No longer!

He had a backpack with two American flags and a sign that talked about one in twenty veterans commit suicide.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2014 1:52 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 13:52:40 -0500

I have not, however awkwardly, I have been approached by a couple of vets on different occasions where I can tell that they were verifying my service.

Back story, I wear my service uniform to work a lot, and in the Puget Sound area, it is an uncommon uniform to see, since everyone wears the NWU. The other part is that I have a fair number of awards plus a few uncommon ones as well.

The point is that I like how they approached the situation. Instead of immediately attacking the accused, they effectively interviewed. Now I don't know what they would do if I was an imposter, but if I was in that position, I would sternly give them a piece of my mind.

If they were violating the Stolen Valor act, I would call the authorities on them and claim citizen arrest.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Nov 18 at 2014 2:34 PM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 14:34:58 -0500

Maj Stephen Parsons, PhD CW5 Private RallyPoint Member SGT Richard H. PO1 Private RallyPoint Member SSgt Nicholas Sherwood SSgt Private RallyPoint Member SGT Michael Glenn Sir, Chief, and fellow NCOs, I shop at Home Depot and Lowes in my community and am always asked to present my ID which I do. Proudly I might add. If I were to see someone who was a faker attempting to gain the benefit of a discount at one of these stores, I would call them out on it and also make the cashier and management aware. Further, I would probably request law enforcement be called as in my opinion, this is theft by deception. A small monetary amount, probably, but I would gladly sign that complaint.

Response by SSgt Jeremy Stephens made Nov 18 at 2014 3:26 PM

SSgt Jeremy Stephens — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 15:26:23 -0500

I rarely ask for a discount at Home Depot/Lowes unless I am making a substantial purchase. The nice thing is that in Texas if you apply for the veteran's discount on your driver's license, it has a big red VETERAN stamped across it. When you present your ID for purchase with a credit card, most places like that see it and will automatically take the discount. I was confused the first time that this happened, because the cashier did not tell me what was happening, just stopped the transaction and called the manager. The manager thanked me for my service and stated that the cashier was new and could not yet provide the discount without manager approval. It was pretty nice of them. And that is how Lowe's became my favorite!

Response by SP5 Richard Maze made Nov 18 at 2014 3:30 PM

SP5 Richard Maze — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 15:30:17 -0500

Life it too short to be policing other people's fabrications, and you often have no way of knowing if someone is or isn't a veteran. I don't get vet discounts or eat for free on Veterans' Day or any of those things, but I don't begrudge anyone who does.

The only fake vets who bother me are the aggressive faux homeless people, claiming to be Vietnam vets but who are clearly too young. I don't make a big fuss, just tell them that I know they are lying and that I find it disrespectful. Makes me feel better, although I doubt it has stopped the panhandling.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2014 3:35 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 15:35:30 -0500

I personally haven't come across a poser. But I think I would confront them ask a few questions and see how they react. As far as I know the state of Washington has passed legislation on veteran verification on ID's and drivers licenses but isn't affective until Aug 2017. So they wouldn't necessarily have an ID unless they where serving or retired. So I would tread lightly so I wouldn't be attacking a actual Vet.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2014 3:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 15:51:25 -0500

Correct the issue, but keep in mind the ole saying '...immatation is the highest form of flattery...'

Response by SFC Keith Frain made Nov 19 at 2014 3:37 AM

SFC Keith Frain — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 03:37:01 -0500

Sir, 2 part answer for you...

1. I live in San Antonio, there are so many retiree's here, a million DV plate cars and trucks, & an astronomical amount of homeless...and if I were a betting man, 75% of them are Vets. So it's very hard to tell, it's kind of like the kids posters "Where in the World is Waldo?" Except all the people surrounding Waldo are the Vets. LOL

2. This actually coincides with other forums; there are literally a dozen Army/Navy Surplus shops, a handful of Tactical Gear stores, and not to mention the on Base, Post Civilian shops that anyone can purchase from. (You only need a drivers license to get into Fort Sam Houston/Joint Base S.A.) With all this accessible to the Jo/Jane Civilian sector, it makes it very difficult to catch those posing as a Vet/Retiree. Unless of course they wear one of the Service's dress uniforms out of regulation standards.

So what would I do...take a deep breath, count to 3, and bring some order to chaos!

Response by MSgt Daniel Vannier made Nov 19 at 2014 1:37 PM

MSgt Daniel Vannier — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 13:37:11 -0500

The businesses I have run across, who offer a military discount, expect a valid military id to honor it. If the business doesn't and still offers the discount based on hearsay, it's their loss. The person posing could be construed as guilty of the "stolen valor act" but to a lesser degree than those who run around wearing fake uniforms.

Response by PO1 William Bargar made Nov 19 at 2014 7:38 PM

PO1 William Bargar — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 19:38:37 -0500

Although it would be very tough to enforce........The ONLY TRUE WAY to enforce is show PROOF OF SERVICE. Certified copy of DD-214, or military ID. (Not sure if a VA ID card would be sufficient enough). But if caught......Make it a MISDEMEANOR, "mandatory jail time" and have them serve some type of community service that benefits Military Veterans & their families. And repay back all restitution. A mark on the record FOREVER!

Response by PO2 Jonathan Scharff made Nov 20 at 2014 8:04 AM

PO2 Jonathan Scharff — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 08:04:58 -0500

This would all be a lot easier if the government just created a veteran ID card. Leaving it up to the individual states leaves states like NJ that has nothing. I guess if I wanted a discount I could walk around with my DD-214 , but I don't.

Response by PO2 Paul Kirby made Nov 20 at 2014 11:55 AM

PO2 Paul Kirby — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 11:55:37 -0500

I haven't run across this issue before. Here in TX, you can have your driver's license endorsed with a "VETERAN" notation right on the front. You have to show proof of service (DD-214) when you renew your license to get the endorsement.

Response by PFC Aaron Knapp made Dec 2 at 2014 7:55 PM

PFC Aaron Knapp — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 19:55:28 -0500

I always just use my VA ID card for discounts of a retail nature. The new card even has branch of service so no interview necessary. It's suprising how often this is occurring lately.

Response by MAJ Michael Scharff made Dec 5 at 2014 11:45 AM

MAJ Michael Scharff — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 11:45:26 -0500

This does highlight a need for an "official" DoD veteran ID card... that would stop this immediately...

Response by SPC Thomas Lema made Dec 5 at 2014 3:56 PM

SPC Thomas Lema — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 15:56:50 -0500

I would ask them why right in public' just plain why would you lie like that and ruin it for real Vets'. But these pieces of s--t would not care anyway

Response by SPC Stephanie Oanes made Dec 5 at 2014 5:27 PM

SPC Stephanie Oanes — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 17:27:39 -0500

I'm quick to correct the situation. I can't stand posers. They didn't do anything to earn a discount. If they want one so bad, they can join the military like the rest of us.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2014 4:07 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 16:07:06 -0500

What I find most amusing is that real vets and SM's don't go around in their uniforms looking for discounts. They simply show their ID when necessary. So, why do these civilians think that dressing up like Ranger Delta GI Joe is going to go unnoticed? I find it comical and if I ever ran across someone in this situation I'd definitely voice my opinion. For the majority of posers I'd imagine being called out nowadays would put an end to the hoax rather quickly. After all, no one wants to be on CNN the next day.

Response by PO2 Kristy Williams made Oct 3 at 2016 6:25 PM

PO2 Kristy Williams — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 18:25:41 -0400

How do you know if they are posing?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2016 2:51 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 14:51:15 -0400

Throat punch in isle 9