Stolen Valor Act goes into effect on Wednesday. Your honest thoughts?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 16:22:12 -0400

BIRMINGHAM, AL

You've probably seen YouTube videos of real soldiers calling out fake soldiers who tried to use the uniform for financial gain.

In Alabama, that soon could cost you. A new bill goes into effect Wednesday that would punish someone who's caught doing this.

http://www.myfoxal.com/story/29437503/stolen-valor-act-goes-into-effect-on-wednesday

Stolen Valor Act goes into effect on Wednesday

You've probably seen YouTube videos of real soldiers calling out fake soldiers who tried to use the uniform for financial gain.In Alabama, that soon could cost you.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 5 at 2015 4:32 PM

PO1 John Miller — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 16:32:37 -0400

It's about time that states started passing Stolen Valor laws! The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 just isn't enough.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2015 5:27 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 17:27:24 -0400

For good or bad, these State laws are still governed by the First Amendment. I hope they get them right the first time.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 5 at 2015 10:38 PM

LTC John Shaw — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 22:38:28 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member We hate to see the fakers out in the street, but this will likely get struck down by 1st Amendment concerns even with the phrasing for 'material gain'. It may have to be more restrictive and be tied to a specific dollar amount. I am happy to see AL is putting the servicemembers and veterans first.

Response by SFC Brian Ewing made Nov 23 at 2015 12:29 PM

SFC Brian Ewing — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 12:29:25 -0500

I think it is a great Law, why should one be allowed to portray being a Military Veteran when they haven't served?

Why should those who steal our Valor be allowed to suck up the same benefits those of us who have sacrificed our lives and time get without being punished severely for it??

We have brothers and sisters in Arms who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country and left behind families who still hurt and for anyone to spit on this by shamefully throwing on one of our Uniforms (often worn incorrectly at that) and going around pretending that they've earned the right to do so is a pure disgrace.

The penalties should be greater, it should be a 10,000 fine and up to 3 years in prison along with being ordered to pay back any benefits they accumulated while "pretending" to be a Veteran.

We need to send a message out there to others who may try this and make an example of those who have already been caught so that we will discourage others from attempting to do the same.

Response by CW3 Jim Norris made Nov 25 at 2015 4:30 PM

CW3 Jim Norris — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 16:30:40 -0500

Limited law is good enough for a civil society, no law is capable of governing a uncivil society. We live in a uncivil society.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Nov 27 at 2015 4:10 AM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 04:10:20 -0500

I have been following the stolen Valor issue for years. It has been eye-opening and sickening. The cases I see and follow are usually pretty extreme. What I have seen is that Stolen Valor is usually the tip of the iceberg. There are very few cases that are prosecuted because most DAs don't feel its worth their time, and it has been a Federal, not a state law. Unless the person has committed wide-scale fraud the only thing that ever happens is public shaming. If they do go to court they are tried and convicted of other crimes, not stolen Valor Itself.
The States SHOULD all enact simular well-worded laws. In my opinion we should have a federal law that is in line with what Australia has. If you wear a military uniform and try to pass yourself off as a military member or veteran it is no different than pretending to be a policeman. They call it "Unlawful representation as an Officer of the Commonwealth".