Is it a crime to wear medals/ribbons that you have not earned?

While our 'legal' system may not agree with your reasoning, it IS logical and makes sense.

Capt Jeff S. -
Maybe a better wording of the question should have been 'Should there be a law written into the legal system making it a crime to wear medals/ribbons that you have not earned?' I think we all agree it is wrong but the issue is wear do we want to add a punishment for that wrong/

Review the new update because it is a crime: https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/258

SFC Carlos Cruz - thanks for sharing the update. It is now a crime to wear medals for valor or combat badges that were not authorized. However it seems merit medals from good conduct medal up through Legion of Merit are not illegal. Also the Soldiers Medal and Marine/Navy Medal are not listed.
According to the link you shared:
Stolen Valor Act of 2013 - Amends the federal criminal code to rewrite provisions relating to fraudulent claims about military service to subject to a fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both an individual who, with intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit, fraudulently holds himself or herself out to be a recipient of:
a Congressional Medal of Honor,
a distinguished-service cross,
a Navy cross,
an Air Force cross,
a silver star,
a Purple Heart,
a Combat Infantryman's Badge,
a Combat Action Badge,
a Combat Medical Badge,
a Combat Action Ribbon,
a Combat Action Medal, or
any replacement or duplicate medal for such medal as authorized by law.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Wayne Brandon LTC Bill Koski Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSgt Robert Marx PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SGT Robert George SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Robert Ruck SPC Margaret Higgins SGT Charles H. Hawes SGT (Join to see) Maj Marty Hogan

LTC Stephen Ford; Roger the Law change unfortunately they didn’t apply all award to Stolen Valor.

I completely agree. But it makes me wonder what type of person they are deep down. Kind of makes me glad they never enlisted. I wouldn't want someone such as that watching my back going into a firefight.

I Think it is sad because of the psychological demon they have to fight. If you think about it, They think so little of themselves that they develop a persona, much like a child that is scared of his own shadow will pretend to be Superman in play or Spiderman.

I think some of them believe their lies. They get into a mode of believing they served, go through the motions of telling everyone they did, then get stuck when their well-rehearsed life starts to fall apart. They can only lie so much before they start forgetting what they told to who. What amazes me are the older men and not the young people. There are more old geezers pretending to be veterans than these stupid kids claiming to be Rangers and SEALS and some are convincing to fool a lot of people. I'm of a suspicious nature anyway so I probably wouldn't believe them.

How many politicians have exaggerated their military service and accomplishments? Far be it that those in charge of better people than themselves hold themselves accountable for exhibiting a lack of ethics, lack of integrity, and weak, spineless character that says, "Do as I say, not as I do!" Just an FYI... despite what Obama claims, "lead from behind" is NOT a legitimate style of leadership.

It's a Kinder, Gentler world nowadays SFC Pete Kain... We wouldn't want to offend anyone!

it is a crime, and is punishable via Criminal impersonation second degree for first time offenders...further offenses are more severe, up to 7 years prison sentence and/or fine.

Why do you feel the need to use up space by repetitive identical posts?

And yet there, are laws preventing the use of Law Enforcement uniforms and badges.

it is a crime, and is punishable via Criminal impersonation second degree for first time offenders.

I think for punishment they should be sent to a war zone for four years and used for target practice. Let them earn those ribbons the hard way dodging bullets.

For the win 1SG (Join to see) As soon as I seen all the Fubar's it automatically reminded me of that scene...lol

Here's your 5 points. You may take them to the cashier for cash in.

SFC (Join to see) - its been around much longer than those movies.
There are other ones also which as a saved preacher......i will not share.

As far as I remember 20 years ago when I retired from the Air Force, it WAS a crime to wear a medal you were not awarded. Ribbons like the "Outstanding Unit Award", could be worn if you were in a unit that had been awarded that honor. When you PCS'ed out it had to be removed as it was worn in honor of that unit. Wearing a medal that was not awarded should be a crime also for those separating the service. Not sure it is though.

Actually you are correct SSgt Willett, the outstanding unit ribbon could be worn if the unit you were assigned to had earned it, but if YOU were assigned to that unit when it DID earn the award then the ribbon stayed with you throughout your career, and rightfully so. In that case you were a part of the unit that received the award and thus you played a part in the unit's accomplishment(s) that led to the award.