CSM sentenced for wearing/claiming fake medals. What do you think of his penalty?

I am saying Too Harsh, only because I feel prison would serve no purpose. I agree with the busting in rank and toss him out. I is sad to see a career wasted, and his family hurt over something like this.

This quote from Maj Petrarca " Under UCMJ there should be a standard punishment for this type of offense, regardless of rank. No way should anyone be allowed to keep their full retirement benefits at their current rank. Active SMs posing, IMHO is the worst type of crime as it insults everyone in uniform." is the way punishment should be applied

This is really a double-edge sword here. Was the punishment too hard, just right or not enough? That's hard to answer. He was a Senior NCO. He knew better. He was fully aware of what he was doing and what the regulations said. However, as we have seen in the past, civilians are spotted wearing uniforms, medals, and patches they never earned and most of the time they end up getting away with nothing. Sure in some cases, the person is sentenced to jail but the charges normally are for Fraud, or something like that; not the wear of the unearned awards.

A question about the article that I'm seeking clarification on. In the article it states that he wore a AFEM with Arrowhead device which they say means he did a combat jump into Grenada. I though the Arrowhead device meant you were part of a beach landing operation as part of an Expeditionary unit. Does the device also cover those that completed a combat jump? I thought that was the whole point of having the stars on jump wings.

Without knowing the ENTIRE scope of this case, and having only what is posted in the article, how can anyone decide whether the punishment is to much or not enough?
If/when the whole story is revealed, perhaps then the opinion(s) regarding the sentence may be taken into consideration.

Confining him doesn't make sense. WHat will that do for the military? Bust him, and let him retire with his new grade. Maybe bust him 2 grades. I have to hold this joker to a higher standard. He was a career military SNCO and he knew better. A CSM with something to prove, perhaps? We don't need him in the military. And while I have your attention, leniency for the family? Are you kidding me? Let's look at the drug dealers or corporate thieves. Leniency for them because they have 10 kids or a wife/husband who likes to shop somewhere besides WalMart? Throw the book at the guy and tell his family how to apply for welfare. That sounds harsh, but they ALL knew better. They just didn't think they would ever be held accountable.

First I voted that this was Just Right.

However,

I think that this CSM having been given a demotion to E6 would not have happened prior to 9/11. Look back at former SMA McKinney as an example. He was charged with Sexual Harassment and Obstruction of Justice among other things, and was demoted to E8 and allowed to retire (Note* He was acquitted on the sexual harassment charge).

The cost is high trying to live out a fantasy, being reduced from E-9 to E-6 sounds about right. If this soldier have a family, it will truly affect the whole household financially.

I believe it was a little harsh to serve jail time. He was an idiot and was a disgrace to the uniform. But he should only be relieved of command reduced in rank with forfeiture of pay. It amazes me that one would ruin what appeared to be a distinguished career up to that point.

I would say its fair. I would advocate a harsher sentence if he was wearing valor awards like the Silver Star, etc.. He will have to live with what he has done for the rest of his life and know that he spent time in a prison over something completely avoidable.

Whoa...3 pay grades?

What a stupid thing to do, especially for someone who has reached the pinnacle of a career. 

Stolen Valor is as bad as Rape, and Murder in my book.