Posted on Feb 9, 2015
How many of you veterans or active military have been accused of being a "poser"?
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Social media brings people together or it can tear larger holes in the veterans' communities.
Despite having served your country honestly and honorably, people can be assholes when they jump to conclusions and don't believe you. Have you ever had this happen to you?
Despite having served your country honestly and honorably, people can be assholes when they jump to conclusions and don't believe you. Have you ever had this happen to you?
Posted in these groups: 
Stolen Valor
Stolen Valor
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 43
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I generally do not advertise that I am in the military and I don't wear a lot of military related clothing when I am off base or on leave so the issue has never come up. It is not that I am not proud to be in the military. It is more of an OPSEC thing and I want to avoid stupid conversations and questions. Being treated with kid gloves because I might be "damaged" in some way, shape, or form; answering the question of "have I killed anybody" (no I have not); and figuring out how to respond to the obligatory "thank you for your service" when most people have no clue what serving actually means.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Personally, I think this is the best approach. I never advertise my service, especially not on social media and this has never been an issue. I feel that advertising muself loudly as a service member is poor OPSEC, and contradictory to the values espoused as a "quiet professional". It's my opinion that anyone who matters knows what you did in the military, and anyone who doesn't know, shouldn't really matter to how you perceive yourself, so why advertise and open yourself up as a target to ignorance?
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In church on veterans day the pastor asked all veterans to stand, so I stood. I was visiting my Aunt in Ga. at the time and at my old church. This nice old lady taps my arm and says " Honey this is for veterans not wives", I replied, " I'm a veteran". She acted like I brought out the snakes! LOL I am only 5' 2" and all the "other" veterans were 6'+ and male.
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SFC (Join to see)
Consider the kind old lady's generational norms and take it in stride, or look at it as funny. Keep standing proud with those 6 foot males, you're part of the military family, period.
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SPC Robin Price-Dirks
I thought it was funny myself, most of these old women at the church were my moms age. My mom was horrified that I joined the Army. Like it invalidated my woman card, she got over it ....eventually, snicker!
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SPC (Join to see)
Probably back in her day it wasn't common for women to be in the military. It might not have been as common where she grew up. I probably would have been a smart ass and told her I was a man in drag then see what she had to say about that. She probably would never say that again to another female veteran.
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Not really a "poser", but I seem to get mistaken for a spouse. Been questioned a few times. I just try to smile and then break out my CAC card. :)
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SPC Sherrie Chapman
I don't look like their idea of a veteran. Overweight, unassuming, frumpy female.. ;)
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SPC Robin Price-Dirks
Try Reforger at -30 degrees in a military made porta potty! The seats were so tall I had to climb up to the top to find the seat, and so cold I had to hover! Gimme a ladder! ROFLMAO
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SPC (Join to see)
When I was younger some people couldn't believe I was in the army. I asked them what was a soldier supposed to look like in their eyes. Stupid people. I just ignore them. I figured they lived in a fantasy world where everything they saw on TV was their only truth.
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SPC (Join to see)
I wouldn't show them proof of anything. They might be ID thieves and whatever is visible on your CAC card could be useful for them to steal. There are cameras that come in very small sizes. I would either politely or impolitely tell them I don't have to prove anything to them and to shove off.
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I was accused of fraud by a young SSG when he noticed my CIB with star. He was certain I could not have earned two CIB awards and loudly professed the same to a group of peers, NCO's one and all gathered for NCOPD. It was explained in great detail what campaigns were authorized and available for a service member to earn the CIB. His CSM and I had some additional talking points reference professional conduct or lack thereof.
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One time on this very site. When I first joined this site I didn't finish my profile. Some Navy Veteran wanted to question why I put Retired down and only a couple of Duty Stations. I still don't have everything down by my choice. I have the Retired I.D. Card, DD 214 and certificate of Retirement and that's good enough for me.
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SGT (Join to see)
SGT Kevin Smith agreed. I provided RallyPoint with the needed verification. DEERS is easy enough for them to access I'm sure. The rest of em, who cares what they think.
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SGT (Join to see)
ROTFL! Noticed after I posted that the post was over a year old! Nothing like failing to keep your eyes open, sheesh!
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I think for someone to be accused of being a "poser" that person would have to be really going out of their way to do so. We all have war stories and whatnot. But sure, there are those that inflate their role or straight up lie about serving. I think that those of us that have served, being a "poser" should be beyond us. Regardless of what you did, there is no reason to inflate your record. You served, no need to be a Rambo.
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SGT Bryon Sergent
No not yet. Its not like I carry a dd 214 with me, but I don't really go that many place is uniform. I either change or don't go. But just depends on the accuser how the thing goes. I wear my veteran hat that you buy from the VA, have my CIB pin and my 101st pin on it. I might wear a veteran
shirt occasionally.
shirt occasionally.
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MSG Floyd Williams
SGT Ben Keen .....I agree with you, but there are some over exaggerate their part in the military. I knew a couple of E-7's with their chest stuck out like a rooster claiming to be Paratroopers and scared to death if you mention about doing an assignment anywhere overseas.
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SFC (Join to see)
I know the feeling roughly about what SGT Ben Keen is saying. I would never blow my career out of proportion. After PCS-ing back to the United States to Ft. Bliss, TX. I was "accused" of not being allowed to wear my right solder patch of the 1st ID by my new Platoon SGT. I explained to him why I can and when and where I was with that unit, I even showed him my orders. He backed off a little... but to this day he still is pestering me about it and one time did it openly on FB. So, I am done with this jealous former NCO and blocked him on FB.
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SGM Bill Johnson
I was called a "Poser" by my PLDC Operations Sergeant and given a crap load of demerits. What prompted this horror? My "Brass Card". We were required to stick all our awards and qualification badges of this 5x8 card. My card was filled. I was a Specialist Four at the time and had two ARCOMs and an AAM, Airborne Wings, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, French Jackal Badge, Expert Rifle and Pistol, two Unit Awards, ARCAM, Overseas Service Ribbon, ASR. You don't necessarily have to be blowing smoke and pretending to be Rambo to get called out. I did call my First Sergeant and explained the situation and he called up the school and chewed some ass big time. I was the Operations Sergeant and the 1SG was very familiar with my qualifications since he is the guy that selected me.
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I was called " Stolen Valor" when I was speaking to a SRA at a different base and told him I was fab and that I wasn't telling him any OPSEC. And he blew a gasket. I referred to OPSEC as operational security not my AFSC I claimed to be 2A7X3 and proud of it. I was just shocked at how he was so quickly to judge me. I mean really who claims to be an A1C and fake it? :|
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Never been accused of being a "poser" but I have had my veteran status questioned before. Seems that when a lot of people look at me and see my waist length hair and chest length beard they find it hard to believe that I served for 22+ years in the Army.
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SPC Travis Grizzard
having been a post level service officer, the hair and beard, to me, would make you more believable.
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I gotta wonder, how many of the vets with more accusations are women? My service is questioned all the time. Hell, I was questioned & am being basically interrogated about my service just because I'm trying to register for the Persian Gulf registry at my local VA hospital!
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SPC Robin Price-Dirks
I am a 70% disabled vet who has to go to a psych eval next week to up my percentage , the older vets no problem the younger ones not so much, but we are getting there... My bros will come around soon.
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SGT (Join to see)
Several times when I've been to the VA in Lexington it's been spouses or family members of veterans that seem to do the most questioning of females. Like how could they possibly be veterans? Its not fair, its not right, but it does happen. I would have to agree that its our female counterparts that receive the most questions and 'as if' looks.
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PFC Pamala (Hall ) Foster
I got 'call out' for wearing a cap and jacket'. Was told it was my boyfriends-HONEY IT'S MINE-showed ID card saying 100% and they shut up fast-bless their heart...just couldn't hold their eyes in socket I guess. Don't wear much military things anymore and it hurts to see the men get thanked, but NOT the female vets...that is CHANGING Nov 13 at Park Inn by Radisson in Kissimmee,FL starting at 9 am. ALL are getting recognized and so are First Responders with a Gala Banquet, beauty pageant, talent show that has Broadway, Vegas and Nashville caliber talent performed by some of the area's best singers,dancers, actresses.
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SPC Robin Price-Dirks
I got 80% now and am working on a service dog as well. Why does it cost thousands of dollars to get training for her?
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My job requires me to be a veteran but I have been told several times by older vets that I don't know what the service was like. Although that was probably true, that a guy with 5 years in the Navy's 7th fleet and over a year of sea time probably doesn't know what its like to spend 2 years at Ft. Benning in the mid-80s.
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