Stolen Valor: The Military Perspective

It's good that you spotted the fake and but hi on blast. This also needs to be done with military guys that have claimed to have been to war. The only thing i can really say is as a sailor that made PO2 in 2 years I know it can be done, I even know a few that made it in 1 1/2 years so that isn't really a red flag.

I made E5 under two years. It's possible...E4 out of A school top of your class then make the E5 test first time up. Difference is I have two ribbons not 4 rows! Pretty sure that's impossible lol.

Well, while it is not illegal to lie about it anymore, it is still illegal to wear the uniform by Federal law (10 USC, 771). If the uniform was warn in order to commit fraud, like get a free or discount meal, etc. the DA's office is more likely to persecute. Call the police, if you're lucky you'll get a police officer who is a veteran too, make things interesting.

E5 in two years is possible. I was one at about two years.

But thank you for watching out for that! Good looking out.

It does anger me to know that if someone publicly lies about being a war hero or veteran, it falls under freedom of speech. But I think media coverage when could be punishment enough because it would bring to light their phony reputation and keep them from being able to exploit their lying methods.

We already know the original Stolen Valor Act had to be repealed and rephrased so that it's only illegal if they do it to obtain some sort of tangible benefit. If they impersonate a military member for access to a gala or social event or gain an advantage with employers, then it should also be illegal, which I believe it is under the Act.

It kind of reminds me of the case of Adam Wheeler, the student/con artist who cheated his way to get into Harvard by forging transcripts and fabricating letters of recommendation in addition to plagiarizing his essays. He only got caught when he used his cheating methods to shoot for Rhodes and Fulbright awards which are considered to be the most prestigious scholarships in the country. He was prosecuted but only because of the legal documents he had forged (letters of recommendation and transcripts).

So if someone who merely claims to have served puts it on their resume, especially if it includes forging service records, they should definitely be prosecuted.

Hoo freaken Rah to the active duty guy. I see this a lot here in maine and never know how to handle it. It pisses me off. Iv got a few fallen comrades and to see people impersonating the military pisses me off.

i woulda simply told him "Look at you... you need to get your shit together".

I think jail is the way to go... like you said "If you impersonate an Airline Pilot, a Lawyer, a Doctor, or a Police Officer, you will get thrown in Jail if you get caught."

in fact I think impersonating a member of the armed forces should carry a stronger sentence.

If you don't have discharge papers (in the case of veterans) or the citation from your congressman or other designated officials (like officers), you shouldn't wear it. A real vet wouldn't wear that stuff. We may, however, buy ribbons and medals (if lost or (in my case, with my DD214, sealed of course) that we have earned. Most vets would wear apparel that proves their service, fewer still will wear qualification badges on hats (that they have earned, of course). I don't wear any of that stuff on the street, but I keep stuff like that in some place safe where no one can get to until I pass it down or I give instructions otherwise. I will not tolerate posers that claim to be vets and are not, but I have no problem talking with them and telling them what it is really like to be in the service.

Some do it so they can look cool. There are awards that I have been cheated out of, but I wouldn't wear them because I do believe in protecting the integrity of the award