If you found a "military poser" would you confront him or her?

SSG (ret) William Martin — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 08:38:31 -0400

I know we are all proud of our military service past and present.  We all take pride in our appearance on and off duty in and out of uniform and most of us like myself can spot a uniform infraction for several paces away.  I am Soldier, not a Marine, a Sailor, or a Coast Guard member but even then I might be able to spot something irregular on a uniform if it looks totally out of place.  With that said, if you suspect a "military poser" and sometimes it is easy to detect, would you confront that person no matter where you were such as a movie theater, a shopping mall, a wedding, or where ever, how would you approach this person?  What would you say?  I might approach that person for entertainment value but I would do so in a tactful manner and I would try not to make a scene.  I'd definately get a picture for a potential MEME.  If you have experience this first hand, please share your account of the incident. 

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 26 at 2014 8:47 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 08:47:17 -0400

Been there.. I did... They threatened to kick us off the train at the next stop if we didn't settle down. While it may be important to US, the people don't care about posers, at least off the internet they don't.

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made Mar 26 at 2014 8:49 AM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 08:49:24 -0400

I would confront that person, but I don't feel that I would take it as personally as some people tend to do. I would pull him/her aside and let them know that there are people like us, who have served, better people than them that have earned the right to wear that particular uniform, and that they should be ashamed of themselves. I wouldn't raise my voice, swear at them, or get violent as some seem to do. Unless, of course, the poser decides to make it that way, and then all bets are off...as well as their "uniform".

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2014 5:23 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 17:23:25 -0400

Most definitely!!! Nothing more that boils my blood than stolen valor!! Or someone pretending to be in the military. We have all lost too many friends, brothers and sisters to just let people fake the funk!!!

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2014 1:44 AM

Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 01:44:42 -0400

Depends on how you define "poser". I've had friends who've worn BDU tops with everything but the Service Tape and Name Tape removed. Why keep those? Because they're a keepsake to the parent they lost. Can't say I'd confront him on that--he's trying to keep his father close to his heart and there's nothing negative about that.

You show me some obvious poser claiming to be Special Forces or a Ranger or something and I'll call them on it with a few simple things. Like "What group were you in and where did you serve?" or "Oh yeah? What was your full MOS (with ASIs)."

I'm barely more than a poser myself considering I've not been through my IET yet, but you don't see me claiming to be some special individual.

I do understand seeking to emulate military personnel. People see the commercials of those in the military doing amazing things in the name of defending freedom. They want to be like that. But if you're not willing to sign your name, don't say that you are like that. If you're not eligible for enlistment, don't do it either--but serve in some other way.

Honestly, I don't understand why you'd steal valor. Because I can say, "Oh yeah, I'm 1st SFG" and I could be a PX Ranger--but at the end of the day... I'm still PV1 Cherry. And I know that. I'd just feel like I'm living a lie.

Response by SSG Sean Knudsen made Feb 15 at 2015 11:24 AM

SSG Sean Knudsen — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 11:24:43 -0500

I have and will continue to confront suspicious posers. Too many have sacrificed too much for these posers to be left unchecked.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2017 2:08 AM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 02:08:12 -0400

U earn a uniform. I would throat punch a turd wearing dress blues trying to get something that he didn't earn.

Response by PFC Jacob Daniels made Jul 20 at 2017 2:17 AM

PFC Jacob Daniels — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 02:17:22 -0400

I find a lot of stolen valor in the homeless community and for obvious reasons (better chance to get some money). I have confronted a few and asked them what unit and what was their MOS and I got to say most of the time they can't answer or they will say they can't remember what there last unit was. I find that hard to believe. Those people don't receive my hard earned money. I have had people tell me that it's harsh to ask those question's but is it really? Homeless or not if you can't answer what you're MOS was I can't take you seriously.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Jul 20 at 2017 2:22 AM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 02:22:38 -0400

the worst posers I have ever seen are the shitstains that stand at the end of Highway offramps with signs saying "homeless disabled vet" 9 out of ten times I have questioned these folks, their story turns out to be bovine fecal matter of the highest grade. - Go ahead and question one these pissants, ask them their VA rating, ask them how much is combat related, then ask what unit and where they served and got their injuries - betcha you get the bullshit vibe from the first answer.

Just to inform all of you, in the event you do not know, 100% VA rating with a dependant is over 3k tax free, 100% combat related is the same as the VA rating - so that is over 6k per month tax free - and divorces cannot touch your disability payments. child support maybe, but not a divorce.

Do NOT get fooled by these people, ask questions, and if they turn out to be legit, direct them to the help they need, there are plenty of outreach programs and VA centers where the help they need can be administered.

Response by Cpl Zach Wellborn made Jul 20 at 2017 5:25 AM

Cpl Zach Wellborn — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 05:25:58 -0400

Generally speaking no, but in certain situations yes. Trying to change someone's way of thinking is nearly impossible. Without being able to legally scream at them, harass them or assault them, 99% of the time they'll tell you to fuck off or escalate the situation. Yeah I know I hate it as well. If they're getting recognized or special treatment for fake service don't get me wrong I'll ruin their life.

Response by LCpl Sally Carpenter made Aug 15 at 2017 12:59 PM

LCpl Sally Carpenter — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 12:59:06 -0400

Yes

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2018 9:28 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 21:28:00 -0400

100% I may just be a private but everyone in that uniform earned the title soldier. If you fake that you’re lower than trash

Response by PO2 Ace Robidart made Aug 25 at 2018 2:01 PM

PO2 Ace Robidart — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 14:01:41 -0400

Happily! But maybe have too much fun with it....

Response by Nicci Eisenhauer made Aug 25 at 2018 2:23 PM

Nicci Eisenhauer — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 14:23:47 -0400

Absolutely. Met someone recently who acted all "spooky" like he had some uber-schnuber-guber secret squirrel job in the military. However, he wouldn't branch-identify. I have never met a soul who doesn't branch identify -- or a person with shiftier eyes than this guy. No eye contact (a good liar can at least feign eye contact). Since we were in polite company at a lunch, I just did a lot of listening to his blather and asked really pointed questions he couldn't answer. That was so much fun because he was captive. He exited stage right as soon as he could! I'm seeing a lot of contractors doing the "lie by omission" here in Puerto Rico. You should see peoples' eyeballs when I say, "That guy's not a Veteran". It's NOT a game to play in a territory with more Veterans per capita than any State. Not a game to play around me, either. There are ways to quickly expose someone. Ask for a branch affiliation or an MOS billet number, LOL! Or just throw out something they should know and ask an open-ended question like: "When you were in, what was the funniest story of something you guys goofed up and can't believe you got away with it?" Everyone has that story!

Response by SN Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2018 2:31 PM

SN Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 14:31:14 -0400

I will confront them. I was FaceTiming my fiancé while she was at work and noticed a man in uniform behind her. He was wearing NWUs and he had Army patches on the uniform. So I asked her to talk to him with me on the phone. I had her ask him where his CAC was. Let’s just say he got a hell of a thrashing by the public after I scolded him.

Response by LCpl Jerry Joseph made Aug 26 at 2018 6:46 PM

LCpl Jerry Joseph — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 18:46:30 -0400

Hells the fuck yes, every men and women that wore the uniform before us and those after us have earned it. Stolen valor is something that is intolerable

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Sep 5 at 2018 5:07 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 17:07:37 -0400

Nope, I give them a look just walk on by and laugh. Some posers are sick and others are for personal gain. Neither are worth my time. I have lost a lot of friends but that has nothing to do with why these idiots are posing. I am not a member of the Posing Police nor care who is. Confrontations with idiots can lead to being arrested in the wrong place at the wrong time. This old soldier's advise is give them the Look, Laugh and Move On.

Response by SSG Chris Allsopp made Oct 18 at 2018 2:26 AM

SSG Chris Allsopp — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 02:26:02 -0400

Honestly, after time I honestly don't give a flying fuck. Somebody has so many issues that they want to pretend to be a hero to make themselves feel better about themselves by pretending to be a veteran, they have enough issues, me being pissed off and angry and making them feel even worse about themselves isn't going to help them, and hurt me more. Are they a shit bag? Yes.... Call the police and let them sort it out. Shaming these asshats just makes service people seem petty.

Response by PO2 Bruce McConnell made Mar 11 at 2020 11:16 PM

PO2 Bruce McConnell — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 23:16:58 -0400

Yes I would

Response by PFC Chuck Linderman made Mar 17 at 2020 4:30 PM

PFC Chuck Linderman — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 16:30:52 -0400

In NYC during Fleet Week around 2005.
Standing on a corner of Times Square and a maybe 20 year old kid winds up on my same corner.
Being a Vet I give his uniform and ribbons a once over.
My eyes just about popped out. The kids ribbons were a soup sandwich. He had the National Defense ribbon top left followed by the Vietnam Service and Vienam Campaign medal.
The Bottom row was the Air Medal. Bronze Star and a DFC with 2 clusters in that order.
I asked the sailor if he was an aviation rate and he said no.
I asked him who he served with in Viet Nam...he starts stammering and lost all color in his face.
I explained to him that he needed to get rid of that ribbon bar before he winds up before a Captains Mast
Just a minute before Times Square was full of Navy Chiefs and Officers. Now there wasn't one in sight.
The kid took of running when the light changed.
My wife was upset that I'd been so mean to that Sailor.
Tried to explain it to her and all she could say was it wasn't my place to call him out.
WTF ???

Response by PFC Glen Brown made Mar 17 at 2020 11:44 PM

PFC Glen Brown — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 23:44:57 -0400

Without a doubt

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2020 12:33 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 12:33:27 -0400

Simply yes

Response by SSG Scott Fitzek made Apr 27 at 2020 5:02 PM

SSG Scott Fitzek — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 17:02:30 -0400

Yes

Response by Nancy Juvrud made Apr 27 at 2020 8:04 PM

Nancy Juvrud — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 20:04:42 -0400

We arrested and assisted in the prosecution of a stolen valor case. Whoop!

Response by CW4 Harris Smith made Apr 28 at 2020 10:47 AM

CW4 Harris Smith — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 10:47:00 -0400

I run into posers from time to time, especially what I refer to as “professional Vietnam veterans”, most were never in any service much less Vietnam. I ask what unit they were with and when. Their answers give themselves away and I just let them go with it. I promise you don’t ever forget who you were with in Vietnam

Response by PO3 Ron Drinkard made Apr 28 at 2020 11:54 AM

PO3 Ron Drinkard — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 11:54:48 -0400

Absolutely

Response by SSG James Stewart made Apr 28 at 2020 2:19 PM

SSG James Stewart — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 14:19:01 -0400

I’d ask them why they’re doing what their doing in the first place. Sympathy, pussy, at ah boys, I’m curious. If I see valor awards that friends and many others died for, that’s a different story.

Response by SGT Joseph Testa made Jul 30 at 2020 7:44 PM

SGT Joseph Testa — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 19:44:41 -0400

absolutely along with a bitch slap for making me pissed off,

Response by TSgt Kathy Dillon made Jul 30 at 2020 7:48 PM

TSgt Kathy Dillon — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 19:48:17 -0400

Would and have.