Happy Veter... Hold On. Did I just catch a "poser?"

2015-11-11T15:39:07-05:00

Every Veterans Day, I scour FaceBook to give nod to those who have served. Usually, I leave a "like" vote or a flowery comment. But, this afternoon I catch this. I did a double-take and said to myself something's not right. The pic is posted on one of my friend's page. Two part question: 1.) What's wrong about this pic? and 2.) Any suggestions on how to address this? I smell a rat. But, I thought I'd turn this over to the crowd before I burn a friend. If it helps guide your comments, the photo is actually the spouse of my friend. Photo would have been taken in the early to mid-90's. Fire away...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2015 4:06 PM

2015-11-11T16:06:26-05:00

Nah, this has to be legit.

Response by MSgt Daniel Attilio made Nov 11 at 2015 4:08 PM

2015-11-11T16:08:33-05:00

Was this maybe one of those "Ole Tyme Photo" deals?
They dress you in their image of soldier/cowboy(whatever) with available props and click click.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Nov 11 at 2015 4:33 PM

2015-11-11T16:33:10-05:00

Capt Mark Strobl - The guy in the picture is obviously an idiot. Anybody with any sense at all can tell that from the picture.

My opinion/recommendation, just ignore it. Not worth possibly jeopardizing a friendship over.

If I decided to say anything at all about it to her, I would say something like "was your husband dressing up for a Halloween/costume party or something?" ... If she asked why you asked, I would tell her that the picture is obviously a satire of someone in the military and that no real military member would pose like that.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Nov 11 at 2015 4:50 PM

2015-11-11T16:50:18-05:00

Is the wife claiming to be an Airman? Did she actually serve? Or is this just a goofy pose? If it's just a goofy pose, then laugh about it and forget it. If she's claiming to be an Airman, then just say something and get an answer.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 11 at 2015 5:50 PM

2015-11-11T17:50:03-05:00

Bullets are different.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2015 5:53 PM

2015-11-11T17:53:06-05:00

Looks like a little kid.

Needs to be taught trigger control..get that finger off the trigger!!!!!!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 11 at 2015 6:25 PM

2015-11-11T18:25:27-05:00

That is what happens when the military is underfunded.

Response by PO2 Gerry Tandberg made Nov 11 at 2015 7:02 PM

2015-11-11T19:02:17-05:00

Wow. Bandoleer with wrong ammo for M16 plus there are empty cartridge cases in the bandoleer. I don't recognize the camo fatigues w/red scarf. Don't recognize the beret as being US. The photograph appears to be someone's girl friend or sister. They are not trained in firearms safety as "she" has finger on trigger. I can't tell too much about the M16 as photo doesn't show much detail, but it does have the early style Vietnam Era hand guard with a 20rd magazine and A2 butt stock. Therefore, I suspect it's a posed fake photograph.

Response by SSG Michael Hartsfield made Nov 11 at 2015 7:17 PM

2015-11-11T19:17:24-05:00

He looks like he stole props from the movie "Taps."

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Nov 11 at 2015 9:29 PM

2015-11-11T21:29:27-05:00

Is that an M16A2 (forward assist) with A1 Handguards (triangle) and a 20 rd mag? Since the chamber is open, and the bolt is halfway to the rear, it doesn't look like a a rubber rifle.

Based on the Ascot, my first guess would have been AF(J)ROTC especially with the lack of visible rank insignia. I don't know beret flashes, but I'm sure there are others here who could rattle them off quick just on sight.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2015 9:31 PM

2015-11-11T21:31:15-05:00

They should have worn a Raspberry Beret. You know the kind you find at the secondhand store?

Response by SPC Robby Robinson made Nov 11 at 2015 10:51 PM

2015-11-11T22:51:43-05:00

I went ballistic on a poser once not too long ago and I regret it. Simply post on this pic, what exactly is this. Let them tell you the story. With you being either currently serving or a veteran, you will know what they are telling you to be true or not. If it is BS, simply state as much privately and remind them about Stolen Valor

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2015 11:29 PM

2015-11-11T23:29:10-05:00

He's wearing the old Air Force security police beret with the enamel MAJCOM flash in this case AIr education and training command. Some time I. The late 90's the security police changed to security forces and ditched the bases host command flashes for a universal one.

The Air Force never rolled the BDU sleeves with the inner exposed like the Marines.

Hard to know the context of this without further info. I would make sure this wasn't an actual vet later in life just posting a pic of himself when he was a stupid kid posing for a pic while in JROTC trying to do a goofy pose.

Obviously the kid in this pic was not of age to be in the service at the time,

Response by PO1 John Miller made Nov 12 at 2015 1:22 AM

2015-11-12T01:22:14-05:00

Tell "her" to get her booger hook off that damn trigger! And what's up with that 10-round mag? :)

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Nov 12 at 2015 6:28 AM

2015-11-12T06:28:45-05:00

Doesn't everyone have a picture like that of themselves. Cool beret and field scarf, bandoleers wrapped around you when you are posing with a magazine fed weapon and that 20 round mag too. Yikes. Someone else mentioned it. It looks like a Red Dawn promo picture or something.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Nov 12 at 2015 6:49 AM

2015-11-12T06:49:29-05:00

What? I'm hoping ROTC/JROTC?

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2015 8:00 AM

2015-11-12T08:00:55-05:00

Blue Blazers maybe?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2015 8:00 AM

2015-11-12T08:00:58-05:00

Looks 100% legit to me.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Nov 12 at 2015 10:03 AM

2015-11-12T10:03:11-05:00

Well the bandolier seems to not be right, especially given the fact that those bullets don't look like they're made for the M16 she's holding. The beret looks like it has an Air Force AETC flash on it, I don't know much about old regulations but I think Air Force Security Forces did used to wear MAJCOM flashes on their berets, at least SAC Security Forces (Air Police/Security Police at that time) did. Air Force Security Police did and at some bases still do wear ascots as well although I have never seen red, again it could be something that has changed since then.

Either way even is she was an Air Force SP/AP/SF whatever it was called at the time, the bandoliers and lack of trigger discipline seems off.

Response by TSgt Liza Kazee made Nov 13 at 2015 9:37 AM

2015-11-13T09:37:41-05:00

I think the best way to approach this would be through a Facebook message. If they, she and her husband, are good friends of yours then I wouldn't call her out in a response that everyone on FB can see. She's wrong for taking and posting the photo, but if you value the friendship I would not address it publically.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2015 12:54 PM

2015-11-13T12:54:08-05:00

Capt Mark Strobl, Ugh well let's see. What's up with the hair, the red neckerchief, the bandolier with blanks, the beret? There no patches on his uniform, which was probably bought at a surplus store. What's up with that background.

If you want to find out more, you will need his/her name, age, place of residence (state and city), and you can send this information to: [login to see] , Tell Mary who you are and I gave you this email address. I just sent her a request to see if she can find out anything about my suspected embellisher. It might take days, weeks or months, but she will reply and let you know one way or another.

Response by Maj Jeff Dodd made Nov 13 at 2015 1:18 PM

2015-11-13T13:18:32-05:00

The blue beret is that of a Air Force Security Policeman/Woman (now called Security Forces). The crest on the beret is from the Air Training Command (now called Air Education and Training Command) but she is obviously not wearing it correctly. The weapon appears to be a period correct AF Standard issue M16. Here's where things get weird for me: The sleeve roll is not standard (we did our sleeve roll just like Army did on the BDU's.) the red ascot is not standard in any AF uniform combination that I have ever seen in he last 21 years although in the Security Forces community there were such a thing (shit you not) as an "Elite Gate Guard" who acted as installation entry controllers at select bases and they wore service dress blues with a white ascot while on duty(makes a really goofy looking tan line after working a shift on a sunny day:). My guess is she got all patriotic after watching the 80's Classic movie "Red Dawn" starring Patrick Swayze, and borrowed her boyfriends BDU shirt, beret, and duty weapon and pieced together this pathetic photo shoot to use as her head shot for when she auditioned for "Red Dawn II"
**BADASS ALERT** See pics below on proper wear of the highly coveted AF Security Forces Beret;)

Response by LCpl Ash Carson made Nov 13 at 2015 1:30 PM

2015-11-13T13:30:41-05:00

Looks like a kid..

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2015 1:38 PM

2015-11-13T13:38:20-05:00

Now I want to do something like this to stir the pot lol

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2015 1:39 PM

2015-11-13T13:39:58-05:00

Draw and quarter the clown. This is completely unacceptable.

My favorite was the guy I talked to at Meinike getting his oil changed. Told me he was with the 232nd Hand to Hand Combat Battalion of the 2nd Marine Division. I then explained that there is not a 1st Hand to Hand Combat Battalion, let alone 232 of them. He told me to go read USMC history and I would find it. I then told him I was a retired Marine and knew my Marine History and he was full of shit.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Nov 13 at 2015 1:52 PM

2015-11-13T13:52:00-05:00

Rambo wannabe is my guess. Was this person even old enough to shave when this photo was taken?

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Nov 13 at 2015 2:09 PM

2015-11-13T14:09:05-05:00

Secret unit. No one's ever heard of this elite unit.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2015 2:37 PM

2015-11-13T14:37:01-05:00

My first question is has the spouse ever admited to being in the military? This photo could be anything but if the person is actually saying they have served and this is there proof then thats when I would call the BS card.

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Nov 13 at 2015 3:27 PM

2015-11-13T15:27:56-05:00

I know somebody who took a very similar picture like that to appear like he was on the cover of Soldier of Fortune magazine. I wonder if they used the stock photo to put their face on their as they did with my buddy. This girl actually looks like somebody I was stationed with ages ago. She would never look this shabby though.

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Nov 13 at 2015 7:32 PM

2015-11-13T19:32:35-05:00

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I hope you didn't waste any appreciable time on this....

Response by MSG John Wirts made Nov 13 at 2015 7:51 PM

2015-11-13T19:51:23-05:00

Looks like an Air Force Para Rescue Beret, don't recognize the uniform or its colors, the red scarf is a definite no no in a camo uniform. The rifle looks like an M-16A1 or II with a 20 round magazine, there is not enough detail to positively ID the machine gun belts, but there are at least two types of cartridges in the belts, I would guess 30-06 browning 30 cal mg with mostly ball or dummy ammo, it could not be M60 as the blank was different on the 60, the belts can hide the dummy grooves, the blank would be like a ball round with the bullet removed and the neck roll crimped around a wax plug. Don't know why she would be carrying machine gun belts with an m-16 though. The M-249 SAW was available but these belts are not saw belts. It does not look like a U.S military camo. Looks fishy to me, I remember a lot of uniforms, but not that one.

Response by PO1 Pete Sikes made Nov 14 at 2015 12:06 AM

2015-11-14T00:06:14-05:00

Well....at least they got the correct flag...

Response by MAJ Donald Belles made Nov 16 at 2015 3:55 PM

2015-11-16T15:55:13-05:00

looks like a wanna be

Response by MSgt Terry Taylor made Nov 16 at 2015 11:28 PM

2015-11-16T23:28:47-05:00

This photo was taken either 80's or 90's during Basic. I took one of the same in 1990 while at Basic Training in Lackland AFB. It was something a lot of people did. However I never used it cause it was cheesie. I used my official photo instead

Response by SGT James Williams made Nov 17 at 2015 2:31 AM

2015-11-17T02:31:33-05:00

I didn't realize the Girl Scout Troop leaders were arming themselves lol

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2015 4:12 PM

2015-11-18T16:12:26-05:00

It looks like a picture from "Red Dawn"!!

Response by PV2 Scott Goodpasture made Nov 18 at 2015 8:12 PM

2015-11-18T20:12:03-05:00

Belt fed M16? Cool

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 18 at 2015 8:21 PM

2015-11-18T20:21:11-05:00

Reminds me of a Che Guevara poster from the 1960's before he was gunned down in Bolivia by Bolivian Special Forces Capt Mark Strobl Mark Strobl]. She shes to have switched out the flag and replaced the AK67 with an M-16. But she has the same facial expression and a similar beret.
Thanks for tagging me SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 19 at 2015 3:24 PM

2015-11-19T15:24:45-05:00

I had a freaking dream about her!

Response by SGT Dana Williams made Nov 19 at 2015 3:55 PM

2015-11-19T15:55:39-05:00

Red Army beret doesn't quite fit!

Response by Sgt Bobby Schiferly made Nov 20 at 2015 5:38 AM

2015-11-20T05:38:17-05:00

OMG I remember these pics. At Lackland AFB back in the 90s. I believe the photo shop was at the old Skylark received center. The just graduated basic troops that were going to the Security Police School would go gets these made. Then they go get that ugly bomber jacket with patches. LOL thanks for the flash back.

Response by SSgt Christopher Brose made Nov 20 at 2015 2:54 PM

2015-11-20T14:54:09-05:00

That looks like a "What if" picture. In the original Red Dawn movie, a young Russian soldier gets a picture set up to be able to send something back to family and friends about how they're helping to conquer America.

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Nov 20 at 2015 8:40 PM

2015-11-20T20:40:46-05:00

Well, my eye is always drawn to that wayward finger on the trigger. Always good for a forehead thump or two. All the rest is just pap.

Response by Sgt Philip Edwards made Nov 25 at 2015 7:27 AM

2015-11-25T07:27:48-05:00

Camo looks like European crap. Those are blank rounds as best as I can tell and everyone knows you keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you intend to fire.

Response by SSgt Joseph McCullough made Nov 25 at 2015 12:35 PM

2015-11-25T12:35:22-05:00

They took these pictures at Lackland AFB in the early 1990s. I think I have a similar one with a couple of cop buddies from back in the day.

Response by MAJ Clifton Goins made Aug 24 at 2018 8:24 PM

2018-08-24T20:24:26-04:00

“I thought this person is in some kind of civilian para military group. He is for sure not a veteran from our Armed Forces?”

Response by SrA John Monette made Aug 24 at 2018 9:00 PM

2018-08-24T21:00:35-04:00

two different types on ammo in the ammo belts. finger on the trigger. 20 round magazine. beret worn VERY poorly. red ascot. wrong camo pattern. sleeves rolled wrong for Air Force.

Response by SrA John Monette made Aug 24 at 2018 9:05 PM

2018-08-24T21:05:33-04:00

Response by Cpl Mo Yarbrough made Aug 25 at 2018 10:03 PM

2018-08-25T22:03:17-04:00

His rounds on those belts are different sizes? When did we go back to using small mags? I was issued poplan & woodland camis, wtf are those? K-mart Kamo?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2018 11:52 PM

2018-08-25T23:52:36-04:00

Um..no, you didn’t catch a poser. It appears you caught an embarrassing photo of your friends spouse playing dress up from when she was like 14, taken maybe 25 years ago.
I know this post is a bit older, but by posting it, you burnt your friend. I genuinely hope you posted it as a joke.

That said, there is nothing wrong with this photo. It is precisely awesome. She looks like she’s wearing what the kids from the original ‘Red Dawn’ movie would have chosen as a dress uniform during the invasion.

Awful beret. Check
Weird looking bandolier. Check.
Apparently early model M16, complete with short magazine. Check
Ill fitting uniform. Check
Flag tilting a few degrees off kilter to the right. Check
Smoldering gaze. Check.
Finger on the trigger. Check.
Red scarf. Check.
(Heck, it’s possible that this is her official photo for her junior high school stage production of ‘Red Dawn’)

As I stated, there is nothing wrong with this photo. It’s perfect.

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made Aug 26 at 2018 9:50 AM

2018-08-26T09:50:39-04:00

Not a stolen valor, but a poser you could say.
This is a picture of a picture from Lackland AFB from around 1988-89. I remember this picture as one of several in front of a "photo booth" place in one of the exchange areas used by tech school people. They had assorted props to get your picture taken with.

Response by PO3 Lawrence Dysard made Aug 28 at 2018 9:01 AM

2018-08-28T09:01:19-04:00

He's an immature wannabes that drops his gun and runs away at the sign of a fight.

Response by CPT Brad Wilson made Aug 10 at 2019 9:53 PM

2019-08-10T21:53:22-04:00

I like the Rambo ammo belts with every other round fired

Response by AB Joe Mama made Mar 13 at 2020 9:18 AM

2020-03-13T09:18:07-04:00

That photo was taken at Lackland AFB, TX in the PX.
Back in 1989 I know for a fact they had E-1’s who graduated go j to this photo shop at the PX and have those photos taken.
Lackland used to be the Air Force BMT base and also Security Police school location.
That photo shop in the PX has all those props, including beret and ascot.
You would go in and pay something like 39.00 for a hero photo to send back you your girl back in the day.

Response by AN Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2020 4:36 PM

2020-03-13T16:36:15-04:00

Casting photo for Red Dawn?

Response by MSG Joseph Andrew Teague made Mar 16 at 2020 5:05 PM

2020-03-16T17:05:07-04:00

To start off with,

I NEVER, even considered sporting obviously phony ammo, or an M16 in a pic

Next, I’m fairly certain his hair isn’t reg

His uniform “might be” accurate, but his sleeves absolutely ARE NOT ROLLED UP PROPERLY! I don’t recognize the scarf, or the beret.

Response by CPO Robert Martin made Mar 17 at 2020 6:31 PM

2020-03-17T18:31:41-04:00

Wrong camp ....finger on trigger ....mixed ammo on belt beret emblem

Response by 2ndLt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2020 8:07 PM

2020-03-17T20:07:22-04:00

Are those alternating blanks/rounds? And what kind of patters is that link anyway?

Response by Patrick Belisle made Apr 28 at 2020 9:13 AM

2020-04-28T09:13:44-04:00

“WOLVERINES!!!”

Response by SPC Gary Mckeown made Apr 29 at 2020 8:05 AM

2020-04-29T08:05:49-04:00

Looks like a kid being pre military playing army or something

Response by SPC Ralph Ware made Jul 30 at 2020 8:21 PM

2020-07-30T20:21:50-04:00

Looks like a Cub Scout on Halloween ......