Posted on Mar 16, 2014
MSG Cavalry Scout
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Seeing this post is shocking to many as the veteran said; he had battle buddies who he served with die who were Rangers. As a Soldier, whether Junior ranking, NCO, or Officer, how would you handle a situation like this? Speaking with some guys in my unit, many say they would have went off on this fake. Others say they would have called the police for this situation. Have you recently came across any fakes or knew someone that did? In my opinion, I would have definitely confronted this fake professionally as it is a disgrace to many other service members who served and lost someone close to them. whats your take on this? Do you think the veteran's position was correct in this situation? Let keep it professional.
Edited 10 y ago
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Responses: 62
CSM Michael J. Uhlig
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I think he (the Ranger) did a great job of not crushing the dirtbag poser. I am not so sure many of us could have controlled our rage, especially those that have lost some of our own brothers in arms during combat operations.
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MSG Cavalry Scout
MSG (Join to see)
10 y
CSM,

I totally agree. As I mentioned before, it is a disgrace as I seen great Soldier bleed and die in this uniform and for someone to just wear it for the gains they think they'll get is ridiculous. Many Service members, probably rangers active duty, would have lost their composure in this situation. But as SSG Harvey mentioned, these people are just ignorant; MSG rank at that age, no PC, wrong combination of patches, hands in pocket, etc.It doesn't add up and leads to the only conclusion of a fake.
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SGT Christopher Hoffman
SGT Christopher Hoffman
10 y
CSM

I greatly agree with you with our Ranger's incredible amount of restraint. Anytime I see someone wearing a uniform that just seems the slightest bit off, I politely pull them aside and have a discussion. One or two will be receptive, another one or two are soldiers and appreciate the correction, and then there are those need to be curb-stomped, and those are the ones I must restrain myself from losing it with them and I maintain, no matter how angry and bitter I am at seeing their crap, my composure and let them know they may want to leave quietly into the night. I have zero tolerance for tomfoolery, even now.

A good leader never sleeps mentally, even after leaving the service behind. They never fully leave it behind.
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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I'd do what I always do:
Me: Where did you serve?
Poser: Iraq (etc)
Me: What FOB
Poser: I don't remember... (or maybe one he's heard of)
Me: What province is that in?
Poser: I think it was...
Me: What unit?
Poser: (SF, Seals, Rangers)
Me: Oh! that's in Fort Lewis, Nebraska! I've been there. What building number?
Poser: ...
Onlookers: Wait a minute...

Problem solved.
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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BS, MSG. Iraq: Ninewah, Dahuk, Irbil, Sal'addin, Diyala.
In Afghanistan: Parwan, Khandahar, Herat, Uruzgan, Nangahar
NOT hard to remember. Each one of those crap-holes are burned into my memory.
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SGT(P) Infantryman
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I was in Fallujah with the 82nd ABN DIV and honestly I can't tell you what province it is in either.
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
1SG (Join to see)
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Al Anbar.
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SGT(P) Infantryman
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Thank you, I never can remember the Provincial names for where I had been in 2003.
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MSG Wade Huffman
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I try, very hard, to believe that the majority of 'reasonably minded' people will see them as what they truly are. You are correct that the vast majority of them go so far over the top in their 'stories' that they end up 'outing' themselves (we've seen many of their pictures and videos on this very site). The only way I would be comfortable actually confronting them is with solid proof. I do, however, enjoy a quick game of 20 questions on occasion, just to watch them dig their hole a bit deeper, normally providing a bit of entertainment to those nearby in the process.
Short of that, I just shake my head and walk away and hope that the karma bus passes their way soon!
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MSG Wade Huffman
MSG Wade Huffman
>1 y
CMSgt (Join to see) , You are correct that in a case such as that, experience DOES matter! (decades? you're making us look old now! lol!)
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CMSgt Senior Enlisted Leader
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2 decades (+4 years), Top! And counting! :)

I work in SOF world. I can sniff out a phony a mile away. When we are out and about in civies, I love when they try to peacock around "the girl...". They never know what to do when I start asking THEM questions. "Oh wow! Really? So, what Q class were you in?" or "When did you go thru BUDS?" ((silence))
me: "Sorry, you are full of sh*t."
:)
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MSG Wade Huffman
MSG Wade Huffman
>1 y
CMSgt (Join to see) , you get 'em "girl"! :)
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CMSgt Senior Enlisted Leader
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HA! BOOM!! Nice one, Top! :)

One of my favorite things to say to my lovely SOF guys is, "Don't let my lipstick fool you... I will show my Jersey." Hahaa
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Confronting stolen valor situations in person. How would you handle these kinds of situations?
LTC John Czarnecki
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<p>The thin line you have to always be aware of and violate at your own peril is that of "Assault."&nbsp; </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Civilian police forces aren't necessarily interested in the poser status of the scumbag who's improperly wearing a uniform he never earned.&nbsp; They WILL be interested in the fact that you have assaulted another citizen, and they will enforce laws that they're charged with enforcing.&nbsp; </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>End result... you get carted off to jail for having forcibly stripped the rank and tab off a POS, but he likely goes scott free.&nbsp; Is that an injustice?&nbsp; Yup.&nbsp; Is it likely to happen?&nbsp; Yup.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Consider the takedown as a military objective.&nbsp; Plan your mission, have good actions at the objective, and if necessary, a good persuit operation.&nbsp; The Ranger in the video tried to execute a hasty ambush, and let himself get caught up in the moment, emotionally, so that both his actions at the objective and the persuit operation were flawed.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Hell, most of the civilians in the AO were siding with "that poor soldier... he didn't do anything to you..."</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Pick your fights.&nbsp; If you engage, do so with violence of action (might not necessarily be literally violent, but could be... ) and have a disengagement plan.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Good Luck, and good Hunting.</p>
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MSG Cavalry Scout
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10 y
Sir,

That is a great strategy planned out well. Sounds like you've dealt with this situation once or twice before. However you are right, I can see you position. By getting carted off to jail I can see this going one of two ways when you get back to your unit; They commend you on pride you take in the armed service and the unity and commitment of the uniform, or it completely back fires on you and your chain of command totally hammers you for embarrassing not only yourself but the unit in public. I agree with you strategy plan.
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MSgt Manpower
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Edited 10 y ago
I appreciate his vigor, but verbally attacking the man was a bit over the line.&nbsp; I totally understand why he was so passionate, but there is a way to go about what he was trying to do.<br>
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MSgt Manpower
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Im not saying I dont think the "imposter" shouldnt have been dealt with, but our conduct should be managed in a way that exudes professionalism.&nbsp; Losing your cool and cursing someone out in public is childish and not honorable.<br>
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TSgt Phillip L.
TSgt Phillip L.
10 y
I completely agree MSgt.
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CW5 Desk Officer
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>1 y
MSgt (Join to see), I'm with you. I can understand the veteran's anger, but he must control it and act professionally. The impostor was more composed than the vet, and that's not good. Actually, the impostor was likely scared, but he appeared more composed in the video. There has to be a way - using the system, the campus police, etc. - to call out the impostor. Yelling and swearing at him as people are walking right past you is not the way to go. Just my humble opinion.
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SSgt Forensic Meteorological Consultant
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CW5 (Join to see) TSgt Phillip L. MSgt (Join to see) The use of his language made him look out of control. I agree with his anger and sick of pretend cops flexing their arms over little stuff. A real cop would diffuse the situation than light a match.
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SPC(P) Delcina Myers
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Whoa... Just whoa... 

I've never called out a fake wearing a uniform, but I have called out a higher ranking individual talking and walking on a cell phone... Politely, of course. I said, "Sir... Did you know that it was against Post regulations to walk and talk on a cell phone?" He said, "Yes, I am aware." Then I said, "All due respect, sir, but if you are a platoon leader and you expect your soldiers to follow your footsteps, like every officer most likely wishes, then maybe you should lead by example, sir." Instantly got off his phone. I was completely nervous, but still. How should my higher ranking soldiers/leaders expect me, or others, to follow the rules that s/he doesn't follow in the first place? Total Hippocratic. I was only a fuzzy patch then, in civis. But I felt like I was doing the right thing. Plus, I was annoyed by seeing this as well. I get reprimanded for walking and talking, why didn't he? Who knows if he continued to talk and walk, or if he just started to squat and talk. Being an MP, our Drill Sergeants informed us that correcting other soldiers in a polite, military manner is the best thing. This vet, however, did the right thing. I also believe in public humiliation for doing a crime, like they did back in the 1600s+; but this man should also have been incarcerated for impersonating a soldier. To civilians: if your going to be fake and put on the uniform: Do your fucking research first! Better way to NOT get caught, and to piss me off! I hate it when I see people wanting to be a soldier, halloween is a different story... But still. I worked hard to wear this uniform, I didn't cry alligator tears through all the pain, and misery, and the 'Dear John' letter for NOTHING. If you wanna be a soldier 'for a day'... Be a soldier for 6 years, THEN you have the privilege to wear the uniform that BRAVE and TRUE soldiers bled and died in, not just because you can order shit online or go to the local Surplus store. 


It's just my opinion... And rant... Sorry Sirs, Ma'ams and Sergeants reading my post. It just really irks me when I see shit like this. Honestly, I probably would have gone off the handle, glad I wasnt there.

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SSgt Forensic Meteorological Consultant
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10 y
Good for you SPC Delcina C.   Keep the faith and the respect!!!
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MSG Cavalry Scout
MSG (Join to see)
10 y
SPC Gasho,

Your position is strong and indeed in the right. First you were using the power of general authority when you corrected the Officer using tact. Great job! Many young Soldiers would have either been to scared to approached an officer or senior NCO, or simply just brushed it off and walked past it. On the case of this fake I mentioned in my post you are right again; These imposters should do some dam research before trying to play the part. It's amazing how many people down play the Army and other Armed Serviced but to this imposter crap in a intense to get whatever gains they think we get. It's ridiculous. 
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SPC(P) Delcina Myers
SPC(P) Delcina Myers
10 y
Thank you SSgt Olson and SGT Smith. 
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SSG Zachery Mitchell
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The fat sack of shit is lucky the former Ranger didn't Ranger Up on his ass. If the veteran was still active duty I would say he could have been a little more professional in his language, but he handled it pretty much the same way I would expect just about any of us to handle it.
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MSG Cavalry Scout
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SSG Mitchell,

I agree, if he was active duty he would have a lot more in his corner that could work against him, especially with media. But you right he handled it as anyone probably would and should. It's a disgrace that can not be left alone what these people are doing.
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MSG Combat Engineering Senior Sergeant
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I would have done the exact same thing as the other guy.  I don't fault that young Ranger not one bit.  I really wish Congress would do more with these fake/phony imposers.   I just called out a guy on Rallypoint a week ago for making claims.  I took some flack by some Rallypoint members but at the end of the day you live with your choices.  Screw that guy and if I ever saw the man who called him out I would have bought him a Beer.


ATW
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MSG Cavalry Scout
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SSG Morgan,

I couldn't agree with you more. Not one of those imposter supporters knew what that former Ranger has been through and he was totally in the right as you where for your imposter encounter on Rallypoint. People still debate that these fakes are in the right and it's not illegal, however this chaos should be put to an end. They are going to wear the uniform wrong in front of the wrong active duty or veteran one day and come across serious problems or a serious beat down.
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SFC William Swartz Jr
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I think he did a lot better than I would have, of course now that I am retired, I only really have myself to "embarrass" as opposed to my unit and Army..so I may have handled things a little more harshly....
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MSG Cavalry Scout
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10 y
SFC Swartz,

I believe it's the sense of pride, values, and Esprit De Corps that sends us as service members on a rage about these things. Some people believe this is ok however for the service members and even supporters who know and understand the Uniform and respect it and the members who wore it have the rage and ambition to fix this ignorant piece of work as they not only disrespect the uniform, but the Soldiers behind it as well that defend our country.
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LTC Paul Labrador
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Pointing out that someone is being ass by acting like an ass yourself is not the way to go. The former Ranger was not arrested for outing someone, it was that he was being beligerent. There are ways to out someone without yourself becoming a douche.
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CPT Assistant Operations Officer (S3)
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>1 y
You know the story is never what it seems.
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PFC Kevin Adrian
PFC Kevin Adrian
>1 y
Lets take one thing into account folks. The young man being upset we need to understand why. His emotions are raw, he did say he lost four of his brothers over their, we do not know how long he has been out, and if he has had any help with dealing with those losses. All I am saying is lets cut our brother soldier a break. No disrespect intended to any of you here. I was just trying to see it through his eyes and his heart.
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CDR Glenn Kasper
CDR Glenn Kasper
>1 y
I don't know. Have we really got to the spot in this country where belligerence is actually an arrest-able offense?
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LTC Paul Labrador
LTC Paul Labrador
>1 y
What he was doing could be considered creating a public disturbance (a misdemeanor) or at worst verbal assault.
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