How should I handle a situation of potential stolen valor?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Oct 2019 19:35:03 -0400

I live right out side of post.(fort bragg) I have this aquatince that I run into all the time. He tells me stories about his time in service. He has shown his veterans card. But recently I was talking with warrant officers outside of my apartment complex and he called this individual out on multiple lies about his time in service. And he informed me that him lying about aspects of his duty could be stolen valor. If this individual approaches me should I do or say anything or just let it go. I dont have nearly enough time in service to know how to handle situations like this.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 26 at 2019 11:22 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 26 Oct 2019 23:22:59 -0400

If you think that person is full or crap, then don't associate with him. You can be full of crap and it not be "stolen valor" with The Stolen Valor Act. Thanks California...

Is he claiming a valor decoration that he did not earn? Is he claiming by official wear a Combat badge, Tab or other insignia on a service uniform that is not his? Is he making false claims about his service to gain financial advantage? How do you know ?

You are going to run into people like this from time to time. You can try and do a FOIA request for his service history, which costs some money and takes a month or two. Still doesn't tell you everything, like his actual decorations. It will tell you if they served, how,long, etc. Google Veteran Records NPRC FOIA. .

Is this person featured on a stolen valor site?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolen_Valor_Act_of_2013

Stolen Valor Act of 2013 - Wikipedia

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 (Pub.L.113–12; H.R. 258) is a United States federal law that was passed by the 113th United States Congress. The law amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime for a person to claim they have served in the military, embellish their rank or fraudulently claim having received a valor award specified in the Act, with the intention of obtaining money, property, or other tangible benefit by convincing another...

Response by PFC Joseph Cuschieri made Oct 26 at 2019 11:29 PM

PFC Joseph Cuschieri — Sat, 26 Oct 2019 23:29:43 -0400

Say nothing to anyone. Confront no one! The individual in question will get his one way or another. Confronting higher ranks may paint a target on your back. Take the words of the suspect as grains of salt and do your own thing.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Oct 27 at 2019 1:48 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Sun, 27 Oct 2019 01:48:00 -0400

Unless you believe he is somehow harming someone (to include financial harm), then what does it matter? Everyone has a fish story. And every time you tell the story, the fish grows an inch. If he is claiming VA benefits to which he is not entitled or vet discount or running for election or something, then yeah, it is something to worry about. Otherwise, let him remenber his "glory days" as he wants to remember them.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2019 2:53 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Oct 2019 02:53:33 -0400

Cut ties. If he's lying what could you honestly do about it anyway? I'd say cut sling load if you feel he's lying about his service.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Oct 28 at 2019 9:40 AM

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 09:40:12 -0400

My "unofficial" advice (take it for what that's worth) is to give this whole situation a wide berth. Phonies and fakers usually trip up on their own feet eventually, and get what's coming to 'em. I'm sure you've got better things to do, and better folks to do them with.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Oct 28 at 2019 4:35 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 16:35:49 -0400

I myself never confront anyone. Some guys are pitiful like the Marine Corps SgtMajor Sniper. I tell them I wished I served. Even though I was in the ANG, Army, USMC, USMCR and USAFR.. the USNR said "No".. I can steer the conversations and they say silly things.. now they might also have major service mental conditions or been in combat. Always show compassion. I got called on the carpet by a young Veteran who called me a liar..I served in a span of 30 years 1974 to 2004 got 16 good years mostly reserves and was planning to stay to age 60 .. got the boot at age 48.. 194% VA disabled their math. 20% Army.. he screamed it was impossible for me to be a E-4 as shown on my DOD ID catd... it is if you knocked out a 1st LT during OCS.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Oct 28 at 2019 4:51 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 16:51:32 -0400

I have a Sgt friend in the Army Reserves.. still in at age 60 pending a MEB. He told everyone he was a Sgt Major with 6 war deployments.. Silver star, PH etc Told them he was retiring after 40 years... actually 23 years broken good years. So a Facebook friend posted a tribute to this E-9 war hero and his pending retirement. Luckily only 1 ssgt friend in his unit saw the posted picture. He's FB friends with the CO. Real SGTMAJ..ETC...I then sent him fake emails from local news organizations and the Mayor who wanted him to be the guest of honor at the Veterans day parade. Funniest ever.. He also got caught wearing a SF uniform in the Guard back in 1979.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Oct 28 at 2019 4:55 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 16:55:23 -0400

PS.. Stolen valor is a Chick Magnet with older women who are looking for security with a retired Vet. Especially poor divorces over 50... easy easy pick up .

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Oct 29 at 2019 11:09 AM

MSgt Michael Smith — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 11:09:36 -0400

If he is saying stuff to you then it isn't stolen valor --it's just lying to you. If he is going out IN A UNIFORM WEARING MEDALS THAT HE DIDN'T EARN then it could be stolen valor, but even if it is, leave it alone. Don't make an ass out of yourself. Stolen Valor is a very touchy subject legally and most likely the law will be on his side. In other words, calling this person out, even if he is doing what you say, will almost certainly be defined as you harassing him. Then you are embarrassing yourself and your military branch.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2019 11:55 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 11:55:18 -0500

Absolutely not. Plus the warrant officer is an ass! There are many aging vets that have lost some of the facts of their time in service or have a touch of dementia. Let him talk, tell his stories. It is not our job to call these people out. It is only a crime if they are trying to use it for financial gain. My father in law was a real bad ass in the service, but now he has dementia and some of his stories he tells as his own are stories he has heard from myself or others and he has them mixed in his mind.

Response by PFC Edmond Austin made Jul 28 at 2022 5:53 PM

PFC Edmond Austin — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 17:53:39 -0400

If he is lying how did he get a Veterans Card? Not the easiest card to get