Have you had any personal experience with bogus veterans engaging you in conversation?If so how did it go?

2015-08-11T16:18:17-04:00

Just had a Bull shit wannabe Marine incident at the local Stop n Go
He: Vietnam vet huh?
Me: Nah, I just like the hat.
He: mumbles I was in Danang, Chu li 3rd
Me: You musta been there early, 3rd was up north. Who were you with? Grunt? What was your MOS?
He: What?
Me: Where you a grunt?
He: I was a reaction squad.
Me: Oh you were a Remington raider! Your MOS? Military occupation school?
He: confused and panicked look on his face. I was in Lejeune (he also lists an army base and an AF base) Were you ever in Lejeune.
Me: yeah I was up there about a month ago. You just told me an army and Air force base
He: Mumbles thanks for service and makes a hasty exit.
Check out lady: didn't even know his MOS. I'll turn the cameras off if you want.

Why do these guys do this? They are so easily undone.

(see the hat above) I DO like it!

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Aug 11 at 2015 4:31 PM

2015-08-11T16:31:52-04:00

You handled that situation very cool, calm and collected Cpl Dennis F., thumbs up!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 4:38 PM

2015-08-11T16:38:33-04:00

Stuff like this happens frequently sadly. Not long ago had a guy wearing a retired army vet hat come up to me while I was in uniform. Then started telling me about his time in the Air Force and his experiences as both a Ranger and a SEAL. I just shook his hand and walked away. Wasn't sure how else to respond.

Edit: Sorry forgot to mention this guy was also a Marine Sniper.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Aug 11 at 2015 4:50 PM

2015-08-11T16:50:42-04:00

Stumbled across a guy with a 101st hat on.
I mentioned "Currahee!"
He said "What"?

Response by MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht made Aug 11 at 2015 5:12 PM

2015-08-11T17:12:33-04:00

Mental illness. Sort of like high ranking officers wearing medal they did not earn.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Aug 11 at 2015 5:16 PM

2015-08-11T17:16:41-04:00

Hilarious! Awesome job cooling his jets without punching him in the neck.

Response by LTC Robert Paul made Aug 11 at 2015 8:45 PM

2015-08-11T20:45:19-04:00

I have had a few experiences with bogus veterans. It is extremely easy to see through the facade of BS that surrounds them. They are of little concern to me. I prefer to just stay away from such people.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Aug 11 at 2015 9:27 PM

2015-08-11T21:27:17-04:00

We have an imposter living in our small town,his neighbor across the street from him is a Vietnam Vet and abhors him.The Vet has had him barred from events where he (in the past) had been speaking and from the American Legion.Here is something i thought you may enjoy,it was made by the Vet and posted in his yard pointing across the street.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Aug 11 at 2015 9:50 PM

2015-08-11T21:50:12-04:00

I have probably met more "Navy SEALs" and "Green Berets" and the ever so generic "special forces" over the years than could have ever existed. Okay, maybe not THAT bad, but when some dumpy guy, barely self-aware enough to keep from drooling on themselves, claims to be or have been such a high speed soldier, let's just say I'm not inclined to believe them.
Do I challenge them on it? No. What's the point? Besides, with my luck, the first time I did challenge such a tall tale it would turn out to be legit.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Aug 12 at 2015 12:02 PM

2015-08-12T12:02:35-04:00

Cpl Dennis Fresch

1. That's the coolest cashier ever!! "I'll turn the cameras off...." LOL!!

2. I have experienced this phenomenon of idiocy. I was at a wedding reception about a year ago when I was approached by a security guard that was working at the event. I was standing in the chow line, wearing short sleeves, and he obviously saw my tattoo (I have "SOLDIER" tattooed on my forearm from wrist to elbow.). When he approached me I saw that he was wearing miniature airborne wings on his left pocket flap. He said something in a dorky tone like, "I'm a Soldier too...." We chatted for a minute and it didn't mesh. I asked him, "Where did you go to jump school? Korea or Benning?" He replied, "Oh, in Korea!"

We chatted for a few minutes as I passed through the chow line and parted. I set my plate down at the table and walked outside to find him.

When I found him I asked if I could have a word alone and we walked of to the side. With a smile on my face I showed him my ID card and told him that there was no "jump school" in Korea that I was aware of. I explained that if he was a former service member I apologized. But, if he wasn't a former service member he should (please) take off the wings he didn't earn and stop telling everybody he was a Soldier because in doing so he was not honoring any Soldier dead or alive. The whole conversation was polite, respectful, and professional. I did so with a smile (which was hard) (it wasn't the time or place to kick anyone in the groin). We then shook hands and I went back to the reception. Nobody's evening was ruined....

About an hour later I saw him again in passing and he had removed the wings. At the end of the night as I left I again shook hands and said thanks for his hard work that night.

Response by SSG Paul Forel made Aug 20 at 2015 6:55 PM

2015-08-20T18:55:08-04:00

Response by SSG Paul Forel made Aug 20 at 2015 6:59 PM

2015-08-20T18:59:34-04:00

Figures. I've ran into several of these types.

My favorite is the young kid I met at Fort Sam who told me he was at "hue", pronouncing it "u".

I scratched my chin for several years, wondering where 'hue' was until it dawned on me he had picked a place by looking at a map and did not realize Hue was pronounced 'way'.

Pretty dumb of me not to figure that one out, sooner.