Posted on Mar 16, 2014
Confronting stolen valor situations in person. How would you handle these kinds of situations?
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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.
U.S. Army Veterans spot and confront a fake Soldier wearing MSG Rank and Ranger Tab. After watching the video, what would you have done different?
Servicemembers
Values
Stolen Valor
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 62
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Call him out. Do it as professionally as possible as we are all being watched. But expose him as a fake. We were warned during one of my assignments of a fake in the area and to avoid allowing him access to the unit as he was an imposter and was walking around with MAJ rank. They are being watched too and the more the word spreads of them being fake they have to move onto doing another scam. That is right another scam as most of these people do it to make a living so they will invent another lie to go "live".
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MSG (Join to see)
SSG Maravi,
Agreed! It's a good thing he didn't though just because of the outcome that happened there. However, still in the right for standing up for the values he believes in even though a veteran.
Agreed! It's a good thing he didn't though just because of the outcome that happened there. However, still in the right for standing up for the values he believes in even though a veteran.
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This is going downhill. It appears that either campus police or stockton police department arrested the veteran who confronted the imposter, and have barred him from campus. We need to figure out how to ralley behind Kristopher Vieira. It looks like stolen valor has picked up the case. The LEO's involved need some education, we need to support the vets that called out the imposter.
Kristopher Vieira is on Facebook. Join Facebook to connect with Kristopher Vieira and others you may know. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected.
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MSG (Join to see)
Yes I seen this all over Facebook. It's ridiculous. A veteran that served our country well. I mean yes, he was a little loud on campus and there was a crowd so that was going against him. It's not right that a veteran stands up for whats really right trying to do the right thing and gets detained. As many mentioned before civilian law is unlike military law so I guess that was what really got him in trouble.
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SSG (Join to see)
The guy deserved to get arrested. If he's that upset about someone else misrepresenting him, just consider what a piss poor job he's doing of representing himself! He was told repeatedly by the campus police to leave the guy alone, but he continued to go after him. He's a punk. Ranger or not, he's a punk and he's acting like a punk. At what point is it okay to ignore the rules and do whatever the hell you want just because you're upset? The guy was wearing a uniform he didn't earn. It's not a crime. It's just offensive to those of us who HAVE earned it. When you put on the uniform, and especially when you put on stripes, it represents a lot of things, but way up at the top of that list is discipline. You don't get to decide for yourself when to be disciplined and when not to be. If you can't address a situation like this professionally and with DISCIPLINE, you don't need to be wearing the uniform and you definitely don't deserve to wear stripes. To cheer these guys on shows poor judgment and a lack of maturity.
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I actually try to explain how insulting it is. For one it gives members a bad name.. We have enough issue as Veterans and Soldiers with civilian world as it is. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't , but in my experiences most people know I served and treat me like i am a total idiot. We have to stand for what we believe in , We all took an oath, we all know our creeds.. We all walk the same and carry ourselves the same.. I am reminded of an Episode of Jericho .. Fake Military came in to the town , and they called them out on it.. I believe we should do the same, but Violence should not be our way.. We are professionals , we should act as such..Â
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MSG (Join to see)
You're right. Violence doesn't solve issues like this. In some ways they can become worse. However, there is a way to solve this without violence. Confronting the person, calling him out, reporting him, taking pictures and exploiting them, etc.
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A1C Joe Metcalf
Exactly.. I hate to admit it , but I do that take Pictures Video, I even added a Dash Cam to my Truck.. I will say this we do have a bad rap in a few cities.. I was pulled over because I was a Veteran, According to the Officer we like to self Medicate ... So i kinda take it personal now.. to a point. Â
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I would have been a little more respectful, but then again I completely understand how some on here would lose their cool.
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MSG (Join to see)
SPC DelArroyo,
That's understandable and still good as you would still confront a imposter. I can't say how I would react because every situation is different and it depends on there response when I approach them. However, handling the situation with tact is still a direct on the spot correction.
That's understandable and still good as you would still confront a imposter. I can't say how I would react because every situation is different and it depends on there response when I approach them. However, handling the situation with tact is still a direct on the spot correction.
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WO1 (Join to see)
Totally agree SGT, it definitely depends on his initial response to see where the situation would go from there.Â
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I would have done pretty much the same thing and called this piece of shit out. I know it is his right to wear what he wants, however he is using the wear for personal gain even if it is not of a monetary sort. People hold the military in very high regard right now. With that being said he gains undue recognition just for wearing the uniform and that is definitely not his right. He is getting respect that he certainly has not earned and is obviously not deserving. This piece of shit does not know the meaning of honor, integrity or any of the other core values that we uphold every day. Just my two cents worth.
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MSG (Join to see)
SFC Tripp,
Your position is completely understandable and I agree. These imposters down play Soldiers and say they'll never join the military however, in an instance they play dress up and go out in public to gain whatever benefits they think they'll get. It is a disgrace and disrespectful to all men and woman who wore this uniform and gave their lives in my opinion. This fake is lucky that veteran didn't beat him down where he stood.
Your position is completely understandable and I agree. These imposters down play Soldiers and say they'll never join the military however, in an instance they play dress up and go out in public to gain whatever benefits they think they'll get. It is a disgrace and disrespectful to all men and woman who wore this uniform and gave their lives in my opinion. This fake is lucky that veteran didn't beat him down where he stood.
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Absolutely perfect response to this poser. Â If he wants to wear the uniform - Â EARN it.
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1SG Michael Blount
SGT - I'm betting he regrets that move. Â We've caught a couple around here; one where i go to school, in fact, posing as a SOF operator running around campus in his MODS.
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MSG (Join to see)
1SG(P) Blount,
I hope he got what was coming to him. I've heard of some strolling around in my Area, however never actually seen it. It's ridiculous that this is a common trait going around to impersonate a Soldier. Im not understand why the act and not just raise your right hand and establish the honor, integrity, and values the right way.
I hope he got what was coming to him. I've heard of some strolling around in my Area, however never actually seen it. It's ridiculous that this is a common trait going around to impersonate a Soldier. Im not understand why the act and not just raise your right hand and establish the honor, integrity, and values the right way.
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1SG Michael Blount
I'm not a psychologist, so I won't speculate as to specific reasons. I'm thinking, however, these wannabees have got to be named and shamed. Somewhere/someway/somehow this problem has got to stop. We have enough on our plates without extra helpings.
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So I understand where the person confronting him is coming from. It may seem like a high speed tab to a faker, but it means a ton to a Ranger. It is something earned not given. I would feel something like it if I caught a guy wearing a Stetson that did not earn it, but I would not scream and yell in public.
I am not a confronting guy. I walk away from anything that would lead to me having to fight my way out. Oh, I got a plan to inflict as much damage as possible in a short span of time, but it is a last resort. Never been a machismo kind of guy. Just not the way I conduct business.
I am not a confronting guy. I walk away from anything that would lead to me having to fight my way out. Oh, I got a plan to inflict as much damage as possible in a short span of time, but it is a last resort. Never been a machismo kind of guy. Just not the way I conduct business.
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Simple. I stand my ground and call them out in the spot! After asking simple VETing questions. I have and will continue taking what is OURS, badges and insignias as well as ranks and combat patches and awards.
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https://m.facebook.com/smith.kennis?refid=46&sld=eyJzZWFyY2hfc2lkIjoiYjgxYzUwNTNjYzQ0N2VjZmU2ZjVlZjI5YTI2ODdlYzIiLCJxdWVyeSI6ImtlbiBzbWl0aCB1cyBhcm15Iiwic2VhcmNoX3R5cGUiOiJTZWFyY2giLCJzZXF1ZW5jZV9pZCI6MTY2NDAxNTY4NCwicGFnZV9udW1iZXIiOjEsImZpbHRlcl90eXBlIjoiU2VhcmNoIiwiZW50X2lkIjoxMDAwMDYzMDk4MTE5ODUsInBvc2l0aW9uIjoxLCJyZXN1bHRfdHlwZSI6MjA0OH0%3D&fref=search
Ladies and gentlemen,
I bring you.... Ken Smith. His favorite quote is, "Rangers lead the way!" and under additional details are "CLASSIFIED" (this was taken from his FB). He describes himself as a special forces ranger.
I hope you enjoy this one. How can we out this guy? The irony of this is I saw his profile when I was glancing over comments on the recent video going around of the fatass "ranger" at the mall. He was commenting on how much of a scumbag that guy was.
I'm pretty sure this is AR 670-1 compliant...
This one has been brought up by several. I see several issues.
1. black and gold tab on the PC WAS standard for RTB (instructors) in, like, the 80s I think
2.Ranger tab goes ABOVE everything else, and only on the left side.
3. US flag is inverted- x 2
4.cute haj curtain scarf
5.Really like his ninja black airsoft operator plate carrier or baby bib or whatever thats supposed to be
6. No idea what that patch on his left side is
7.High speed looking weapon (if its even real) with lots of cutting edge CTD junk on it. Wish I had that setup when I was a kid!
Ladies and gentlemen,
I bring you.... Ken Smith. His favorite quote is, "Rangers lead the way!" and under additional details are "CLASSIFIED" (this was taken from his FB). He describes himself as a special forces ranger.
I hope you enjoy this one. How can we out this guy? The irony of this is I saw his profile when I was glancing over comments on the recent video going around of the fatass "ranger" at the mall. He was commenting on how much of a scumbag that guy was.
I'm pretty sure this is AR 670-1 compliant...
This one has been brought up by several. I see several issues.
1. black and gold tab on the PC WAS standard for RTB (instructors) in, like, the 80s I think
2.Ranger tab goes ABOVE everything else, and only on the left side.
3. US flag is inverted- x 2
4.cute haj curtain scarf
5.Really like his ninja black airsoft operator plate carrier or baby bib or whatever thats supposed to be
6. No idea what that patch on his left side is
7.High speed looking weapon (if its even real) with lots of cutting edge CTD junk on it. Wish I had that setup when I was a kid!
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