674
674
0
So I saw my first military poser today at Wal-Mart of all places. Had Army ACUs, popped collar, what looked like a white turtleneck and Doc Marten's boots, patrol cap on indoors, no name tapes anywhere, Marine Corps Globe-and-Anchor on his pc, no unit patches and an American flag patch with no stars. I asked him what unit he was in, he responded with being an E-7 petty officer in the Navy.
Annnnnd, go...
Annnnnd, go...
Posted in these groups: 
Stolen Valor
Stolen Valor
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 1607
1
1
0
First off, when it is obvious the "poser" is just mentally ill and delusional, just walk away. Let the person be happy in the delusion and the problem be between the poser and his or her psychiatrist.
Now, about the real poser, the one looking to reap a benefit from faking being active duty or a military veteran, use caution. They aren't just being offensive. They are committing a criminal act. Please don't bring disgrace upon yourself and other veterans by yelling, cursing, and threatening them. Never get into a fight with them unless, of course, it is self defense. It does no one any good, and can disqualify you as a witness if a case can be made for Stolen Valor or a criminal violation of 18 USC 704. Hold your temper. Approach them and find out what you can using diplomacy. Call the police. Ask for store security if you are in a store. If in a restaurant, ask for the manager. Check out the laws in your state to see if you have, "citizen's arrest," powers to detain someone during the commission of a non-violent crime to await the arrival of law enforcement. But, you'd better be very sure that the person is a poser.
There have been many cases reported of veterans, even active duty, calling out people in public that they believed were posers only to find out later that they weren't. They often end violently and some with serious injury. Don't be one of those statistics. Don't call someone out unless you are 100% certain. Don't make us all look bad to non-veterans.
https://military.id.me/stolen-valor/vietnam-veteran-accused-of-stolen-valor-by-younger-marines-attacked-in-airport/
https://military.id.me/stolen-valor/combat-veteran-attacked-over-mistaken-stolen-valor/
Now, about the real poser, the one looking to reap a benefit from faking being active duty or a military veteran, use caution. They aren't just being offensive. They are committing a criminal act. Please don't bring disgrace upon yourself and other veterans by yelling, cursing, and threatening them. Never get into a fight with them unless, of course, it is self defense. It does no one any good, and can disqualify you as a witness if a case can be made for Stolen Valor or a criminal violation of 18 USC 704. Hold your temper. Approach them and find out what you can using diplomacy. Call the police. Ask for store security if you are in a store. If in a restaurant, ask for the manager. Check out the laws in your state to see if you have, "citizen's arrest," powers to detain someone during the commission of a non-violent crime to await the arrival of law enforcement. But, you'd better be very sure that the person is a poser.
There have been many cases reported of veterans, even active duty, calling out people in public that they believed were posers only to find out later that they weren't. They often end violently and some with serious injury. Don't be one of those statistics. Don't call someone out unless you are 100% certain. Don't make us all look bad to non-veterans.
https://military.id.me/stolen-valor/vietnam-veteran-accused-of-stolen-valor-by-younger-marines-attacked-in-airport/
https://military.id.me/stolen-valor/combat-veteran-attacked-over-mistaken-stolen-valor/
Vietnam Veteran Accused of Stolen Valor by Younger Marines, Attacked in Airport | The SITREP...
A Vietnam veteran and purple heart recipient was wrongly accused of stolen valor and assaulted in an airport by other Marines. No one was arrested or hurt.
(1)
(0)
SGT Stuart Griffin
I guess my goal of the next few paragraphs is to say, don't go into a challenge immediately assuming the person is a fake, based on appearance or mannerism. If you've already made up your mind and won't bend on anything the person says, you may end up hurting another veteran or get hurt!
I get challenged often. I can only guess that just enough of my military bearing shows through that it confuses some people...the most common excuse I get from them is because I don't "look the part."
So I wear glasses, let my hair grow a little, and am easy going now. It's as if they think a person couldn't have served if they don't have a permanent scowl and walk around strutting like Rambo or something.
I deployed to Bosnia and also Iraq. Both times at the start of the "mess" and I have been shot at. I responded with the the typical "suck it up and drive on" act and it ate me up slowly from the inside.
It took me years of PTSD counseling to get rid of the self-destructive behavior and "scary" look on my face and body language and I DON'T want it back, so I wish these a-holes would get a clue.
I recall one guy so fixated on the idea that I was a fake, he ignored my ID that says veteran on it and even followed me out of an establishment after I gave up and tried to escape the confrontation.
I had no choice but to defend myself. The police took my side of it and let me walk because, after hearing the reason it all started, I had proof I was a veteran, plus I had tried to get out of the situation initially.
The ultimate point is the old cliche, don't judge a book by its cover, and most certainly, don't go in fixated on the belief the person is a fake. ASK and listen. You might be surprised what the person's REAL story is, true vet or fake alike.
I get challenged often. I can only guess that just enough of my military bearing shows through that it confuses some people...the most common excuse I get from them is because I don't "look the part."
So I wear glasses, let my hair grow a little, and am easy going now. It's as if they think a person couldn't have served if they don't have a permanent scowl and walk around strutting like Rambo or something.
I deployed to Bosnia and also Iraq. Both times at the start of the "mess" and I have been shot at. I responded with the the typical "suck it up and drive on" act and it ate me up slowly from the inside.
It took me years of PTSD counseling to get rid of the self-destructive behavior and "scary" look on my face and body language and I DON'T want it back, so I wish these a-holes would get a clue.
I recall one guy so fixated on the idea that I was a fake, he ignored my ID that says veteran on it and even followed me out of an establishment after I gave up and tried to escape the confrontation.
I had no choice but to defend myself. The police took my side of it and let me walk because, after hearing the reason it all started, I had proof I was a veteran, plus I had tried to get out of the situation initially.
The ultimate point is the old cliche, don't judge a book by its cover, and most certainly, don't go in fixated on the belief the person is a fake. ASK and listen. You might be surprised what the person's REAL story is, true vet or fake alike.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
1
1
0
Remember it is only "Stolen Valor" if they are using fake military service for monetary gain. Just because someone is wearing a uniform doesn't make them a poser. They could just be homeless or like one teen that came to my campus after talking with him the local swat team game him a full set of AF ADU's and boots and it was the only clothes he owned.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
Haha what the hell now on this past Veterans day I have my dress blues on and honestly yes my uniform wasn't in the best of shape but I wanted to wear it for veterans day I was at Applebees with my son and this kid walked up to my table lays a note down basically calling me out saying I didnt serve and need to take it off of course he ran off after setting down yeah I didnt have the right pants on but they looked fine and I had black dress shoes on it just made me really mad if he has stuck around I would have shown him my expired ID
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
1
1
0
I have seen things like this and it is descusting to see someone pose as what they are not. Really offends me, and they should put people like that in jail or a padded room
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
1
1
0
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google