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How should the situation of Stolen Valor be handled? What is a fair punishment?
I believe if you have the guts to pretend that you were this or that in the military then you should have to serve!
I believe if you have the guts to pretend that you were this or that in the military then you should have to serve!
Stolen Valor
Punishment
Enlisted
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 17
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There is a line between admiration (someone wearing a patch as a fan) and stolen valor, I believe it is easy to tell those with ill intent based on the behaviors exhibited.
For those with stolen valor, public humiliation has to happen for starters. Calling out the ones that are truly attempting to use unearned awards/decorations/promotions for personal gain is a must.
For those with stolen valor, public humiliation has to happen for starters. Calling out the ones that are truly attempting to use unearned awards/decorations/promotions for personal gain is a must.
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PO3 Danielle Sandlin
I absolutely agree. Public humiliation is a great start. What about those who actually have received benefits from different charities etc? What should happen to them?
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MSgt (Join to see)
CSM Michael J. Uhlig
Very good points and a different perspective. I have always felt someone wearing a hat or patch even though they didn't serve. The same as wearing your favorite sports teams gear. Just another way to show support. Who wouldn't want to be associated somehow with the greatest force on earth.
Very good points and a different perspective. I have always felt someone wearing a hat or patch even though they didn't serve. The same as wearing your favorite sports teams gear. Just another way to show support. Who wouldn't want to be associated somehow with the greatest force on earth.
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1SG Dave Arpin
I'm in agreement that it should be punished but it may be a long time in coming before it is enforced by the civilian authorities. It would have to be enforced as a federal law as it would probably take forever to get a law passed through the state governments and then it would be morphed into something different for each state. I believe a clause would have to be included that if the stolen valor is committed by a veteran or just a civilian: one knows better, the other is just ignorant. My two cents.
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The greatest video of all time paying tribute to the greatest man of all time. Further proof that some people just have too much free time.
The old fashioned way (from "Men of Honor"). Substitute "valor" for "a pie" and Times Square for the Navy Yard and I think we have a working solution.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe2c6vZrNnU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe2c6vZrNnU
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For the civilians who attempt it, rather than sentencing them to jail, I'd have them serve out their term at a VA hospital.
For those within our ranks, I'd say the severity of the offense dictates the punishment, but off the top of my head, I'd say a demotion, maybe a permanent flag against promotion, or maybe a dishonorable discharge.
For those within our ranks, I'd say the severity of the offense dictates the punishment, but off the top of my head, I'd say a demotion, maybe a permanent flag against promotion, or maybe a dishonorable discharge.
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PO3 Danielle Sandlin
Thank you for your input, I agree with what punishments you dictated. Great ideas!
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PO1 John Miller
SGT Christopher Churilla
I agree as well! When I was a young and (very) stupid E-3, I bought a bunch of ribbons and assembled them into a rack that would have made me look like a frigging war hero. I was going home on leave shortly and planned on wearing them to impress my family and "girls." However integrity soon got the better of me and I trashed the ribbon rack without it ever touching my uniform.
I agree as well! When I was a young and (very) stupid E-3, I bought a bunch of ribbons and assembled them into a rack that would have made me look like a frigging war hero. I was going home on leave shortly and planned on wearing them to impress my family and "girls." However integrity soon got the better of me and I trashed the ribbon rack without it ever touching my uniform.
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Prosecute it as fraud if they have gained anything tangible from their actions.
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SGT Rick Ash
I like that idea, how do we promote it? I do think community service would be fairly easy to get and it should be hard labor, like scrubbing over graffiti but no painting over it. If I ever see it here I will call all 4 local news outlets and have them run the story, get the offenders picture for the report. They would love something better to report than the "bad news" which is usually all they have. And they would enjoy tracking down the offender and filming them at their front door. Alas, it may not hold the interest of the public for long since only 1% of "us" ever serve.
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LTC Kevin B.
SGT Rick Ash - We could start by simply referring to it as fraud, rather than stolen valor. Also, we could contact our elected representatives to have it codified into the laws as a specific form of fraud. We could also ask groups that lobby on our behalf to provide pressure onto the politicians.
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PO3 Danielle Sandlin
If they're doing it for monetary gain prosecute them under fraud charges.
If they're doing it to "impress" people, let's take the community service idea one step further. They should have to do their service at the wounded warrior section of any VAMC or at Walter Reed, and try telling those men and women their "war stories." Then you and I can hold the phoney down while those wounded heroes kick their ass.
If they're doing it for monetary gain prosecute them under fraud charges.
If they're doing it to "impress" people, let's take the community service idea one step further. They should have to do their service at the wounded warrior section of any VAMC or at Walter Reed, and try telling those men and women their "war stories." Then you and I can hold the phoney down while those wounded heroes kick their ass.
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SCPO David Lockwood
I think that every offender should be punished. Â How ever the punishment should fit the crime.
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PO2 Mark Saffell
Yes. It wont happen because of the political correctness BS and the side of government that doesnt likes us Vets to begin with could care less about stolen valor. Sad but true
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PO3 Danielle Sandlin While I would agree, some of them may have tried but were passed over due to ASVAB scores or MEPS physicals. How would you handle someone who is over aged?
For those that are just trying to get attention, maybe community service picking up garbage or scrubbing graffiti with a big sign stating they stole valor. For those trying to scam the system for monetary gain, heavy fines. However, any second offense should be harsh fines and/or jail time.
Hell, give them the "clockwork orange" treatment showing them hours of combat casualty images while stating that the men and women in the images had the courage to fight for their country while calling the thief a coward.
For those that are just trying to get attention, maybe community service picking up garbage or scrubbing graffiti with a big sign stating they stole valor. For those trying to scam the system for monetary gain, heavy fines. However, any second offense should be harsh fines and/or jail time.
Hell, give them the "clockwork orange" treatment showing them hours of combat casualty images while stating that the men and women in the images had the courage to fight for their country while calling the thief a coward.
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Cpl (Join to see)
That would be funny to watch, PO3 Danielle Sandlin, but after they completed it (successfully), they might run around telling everyone they were veterans or something. ;)
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PO3 Danielle Sandlin
Oh gosh!! Haha you are right. Several people have said community service at the VA hospitals which I think is a fantastic idea.
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I feel like the actual real soldiers who notice these acts of stolen Valor handle the situations wrong. You can't walk up to random strangers and in the most narcacist staff tone demand they take off whatever u I form they have on. First try to explain the actual reasons why it's illegal like displaying unit affiliations or rank or medals. If a person has on a completely sterile uniform with no rank, medals or unit affiliations then don't badger them to remove the uniform. If they do have these things displayed pull them aside and be the respectable disciplined service member you are and inform them of their wrong doing. Many service members are going to get hurt or even killed running up on civilians with cameras demanding they remove articles of clothing.
My point is be tactical with your approach, be respectful, be vigilant and always be a dicipline professional.
My point is be tactical with your approach, be respectful, be vigilant and always be a dicipline professional.
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SSG (Join to see)
While I do agree that it's unsightly for military professionals to act unprofessionally in correcting someone who is attempting to impersonate a service member, we are still a profession OF arms. Explain to that person that they're offending your personal sensibilities (this is the PC way to handle being upset, from what I understand) by finding a connex to take them behind!
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