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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 >1 y ago
Responses: 1607
No have never seen a poser in person, but I have worn my service dress blues at the airport and been miss indetified as a marine or a coastie. Like WTF you don't know what a Navy Chief Petty officer looks like... double breasted jacket with gold buttons. Play another video game haha....
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Here's the problem. It is not stolen valor for them to simply wear a cammo uniform. Maybe he just came in from a hunting trip ? Stolen valor happens when the individual is wearing decorations and/or qualification badges that they have not been awarded.
Look at Medals of America, The Cav Store, etc. and you will see new and used uniforms and equipment being offered for sale to the general public. Name tapes and pride patches galore. wearing a field jacket with your old unit patches and name tape is not a violation of any regulation.
What IS illegal is the actions of the individual that is wearing the gear. If he is telling battle tales to impress a young lady or trying to get a "military discount" for anything, then that is a violation.
I wear my "Army - Retired" hat with pride. I wear a flight jacket with my old unit patches embroidered on them. I have an ACU field jacket that I wear that has the flag patch mounted properly and a "BOHICA" patch and a "Pork Eating Crusader" patch (I am a Knight Templar and find THAT patch appropriate).
I cannot tell you how many "Speedy Fives" have jumped my case on this issue. I just smile and whip out my DD Form 2 (Retired). That ends the discussion pretty quickly.
The whole point is this, be SURE you are right before you jump on someone. Sure, if they have CSM stripes on their arm and Bird Colonel eagles on their shoulders (Check You Tube to watch that clown) or they are claiming that their "Fire Guard Ribbon' shows that they are a CIA Seal, then bust them good.
Davey Crockett had a motto that fits this situation, "Be SURE that you are right, then go ahead."
Look at Medals of America, The Cav Store, etc. and you will see new and used uniforms and equipment being offered for sale to the general public. Name tapes and pride patches galore. wearing a field jacket with your old unit patches and name tape is not a violation of any regulation.
What IS illegal is the actions of the individual that is wearing the gear. If he is telling battle tales to impress a young lady or trying to get a "military discount" for anything, then that is a violation.
I wear my "Army - Retired" hat with pride. I wear a flight jacket with my old unit patches embroidered on them. I have an ACU field jacket that I wear that has the flag patch mounted properly and a "BOHICA" patch and a "Pork Eating Crusader" patch (I am a Knight Templar and find THAT patch appropriate).
I cannot tell you how many "Speedy Fives" have jumped my case on this issue. I just smile and whip out my DD Form 2 (Retired). That ends the discussion pretty quickly.
The whole point is this, be SURE you are right before you jump on someone. Sure, if they have CSM stripes on their arm and Bird Colonel eagles on their shoulders (Check You Tube to watch that clown) or they are claiming that their "Fire Guard Ribbon' shows that they are a CIA Seal, then bust them good.
Davey Crockett had a motto that fits this situation, "Be SURE that you are right, then go ahead."
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Its one thing to wear the gear, anyone can do that,, what you claim you are, or what you did is a diferent story,,x
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PFC Joseph Anthony
I just have 1 pair of bdu's in plastic that still have the Spec 4 and starched. I still have my Kevlar helmet I was issued in August '92. TA-50 is still as was issued to me. From the reserve side I still have my Mollie gear. I served army active and navy reserves..
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I have only met 1. After I told him what units I served with in 2 branches. He ran off..
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If you didn't serve, don't put it on unless it's for Halloween. Simple as that! And BTW, veterans have every right to be "butthurt" as you say, when some POS wears a uniform that my friends died in, and the douche bag pretending didn't earn it. Just saying.
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I can go into a military clothing/goods shop in a town and buy those duds. But if i were younger, and dressed in military gear and someone asked me what unit I was in, I'm sure not going to lie and make some shit up. My response would be something like "Oh no, I didn't serve! I love the uniform though, and everything it stands for. To me, you guys are heroes. Pretty lame, but I just kinda want to dress like you guys."
Yeah, I might get some crap about it, they might laugh at me, smack me up a bit and tell me to a least get the right boots or stand up straight or something, but I hope not much else, and maybe they would take it in the spirit of hero worship. But making crap up, that's beyond the pale. Just wrong.
Yeah, I might get some crap about it, they might laugh at me, smack me up a bit and tell me to a least get the right boots or stand up straight or something, but I hope not much else, and maybe they would take it in the spirit of hero worship. But making crap up, that's beyond the pale. Just wrong.
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Really, really, not worth the time to confront people like this - who are probably mentally challenged anyway. Unless they are trying to claim some benefit - and I include anything from drinks at a bar to VA benefits as a benefit, I don't care. They are easy to spot and are really just making fools of themselves.
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I was drinking coffee with my buddy Ray who is a Vietnam vet. There was a guy in the booth next to us bragging about his time in Vietnam. Ray asked the guy had he ever been to a certain village in the Central Highlands....(Sp..Binwah?) The guy said yeah he had been there several times. Ray called him a lyin' sob and advised him that the village was in the Mekong Delta. I had to hold my buddy Ray back.
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I have seen one..He holds up a sign on street corners that says " homeless vet" please give..When in fact I know he is not..He has been in and out of prison and jail for drugs, theft, and all kinds of things..Ticks me off big time..
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Diana Willis
I would like to add that I am a mother of a son in the Navy, another son in the Marines and a nephew in the Army..Husband was in the Navy and I come from a long line of Military background :)
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