What is the difference between stolen valor, false valor, impersonating a military veteran?

2017-09-20T10:11:22-04:00

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Sep 20 at 2017 10:34 AM

2017-09-20T10:34:04-04:00

They all are part of a larger picture. Impersonating tends to crop up most frequently when illegally attempting to obtain benefits, i.e. VA loan. On the other end of the spectrum, it's some oxygen thief grabbing something from the flea market and wearing it, such as an old BDU blouse. "Stolen" tends to gravitate towards non MILs who peacock themselves up. "False" tends to be focused on MILs and Vets who claim more than what they are. There obviously can be overlap amongst the terms.

Response by PO2 Les Merrill made Sep 20 at 2017 2:33 PM

2017-09-20T14:33:23-04:00

None, they're all assholes

Response by SFC Dallas Stone made Sep 21 at 2017 12:00 AM

2017-09-21T00:00:26-04:00

No Difference

Response by A1C Ronald Harris made Sep 22 at 2017 1:48 PM

2017-09-22T13:48:28-04:00

No one impersonates POG Crew Chiefs. I'm offended. :O

Response by SGT Walter Lester made Sep 22 at 2017 2:14 PM

2017-09-22T14:14:32-04:00

After time they all come down to the same thing and that resentment by active and veteran members of the military.The worst being obtaining money and benefits.

Response by PO1 Dallas Shewmaker made Sep 22 at 2017 2:36 PM

2017-09-22T14:36:27-04:00

Capt. Ball broke it down rather clearly but there is much more to it.
Impersonation is the full assumption of an identity. Meaning, that there was once (or still is) a living person attached to the identity in which the thief is impersonating. Very rarely is the suspect impersonator related in any capacity to the identity.

Stolen Valor would fall into the same category but is more loosely based on non-specific attributes of the individual. This person usually has some knowledge outside of common knowledge and usually bases their stolen identity upon truths. This is most common with those who did serve or knew somebody who served but wants to assume the partial identity and accomplishments of another.

False Valor is an outright fabrication of the identity in which they assume. Generally speaking, the person keeps their own identity but fabricates a story and certain pieces of their service related identity.

False and Stolen Valor rarely is connected to the receipt of benefits. The reasoning isn't usually for benefit but the simple gratification of the "story" behind it. These are people who don't generally expect any "benefits" but rather want the glory and recognition of service by others.

Impersonation is identity theft and is criminally illegal! The impersonator's intent is usually to defraud the government or businesses in services or benefits of the actual veteran. Now... this doesn't mean that that old guy at Applebee's who wears the Korea War ball cap on Veteran's Day for a free plate of wings is a criminal. For the other 364 days, he's just some other dude with a second hand veteran ballcap. Also, what's the damage of a $10 plate of hot wings? If he's taking out a loan or trying to get something more... well... now we have a problem!

Response by SCPO William Akin made Sep 22 at 2017 2:43 PM

2017-09-22T14:43:50-04:00

An asshole by any other name, would still be an asshole...

Response by Sgt Rex Ray McKinley made Sep 22 at 2017 2:47 PM

2017-09-22T14:47:00-04:00

Wow that was great ty , I really wasn't sure and someone in here asked if I did know the difference ? I honestly didn't not really know exactly . I wanted to hear it from one or many of us ! Not only clear definition but personal opinions also , does that make sense ?

Response by Van Amberg made Sep 22 at 2017 3:43 PM

2017-09-22T15:43:28-04:00

What if you got some flea market shirt with no labels at all, all been removed , and you only wear for hunting camo?

Response by SMSgt Jeremy George made Sep 22 at 2017 11:07 PM

2017-09-22T23:07:07-04:00

I know an individual who was claims he was in the Army for less than 8 months, but got a medical discharge during AIT (he does have a DD214). He now talks big on social media and to anyone he meets that he was in the 82nd and him and his wife live it up saying that he's a disabled vet. Despite having a DD214, and being defined as a "disabled vet" in the VA's eyes, anyone who exaggerates or leads others to believe they are something they are not or served in a capacity they did not, is a form of straight up stolen valor in my opinion and people who do this are human POS.

Response by PO3 Fred Boas made Sep 24 at 2017 6:54 AM

2017-09-24T06:54:34-04:00

Stolen is impersonating a veteran or service person, false valor is, or should be presenting military or quasi military credentials when one is not military

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2018 2:56 PM

2018-03-14T14:56:05-04:00

Not much. They’re all lying turds.

Response by PO3 Leroy Leftwich made May 10 at 2019 6:21 PM

2019-05-10T18:21:42-04:00

Some jackass in a bar running their mouth, who cares.
Anyone who profits from it, taking money or services from those who wish only to help veterans. They better be able to out run my ass.

Response by CPO Albert Kennison made May 10 at 2019 9:23 PM

2019-05-10T21:23:17-04:00

I don't let the small shit bother me. If idiots want to dress up, and play soldier, so be it. I have served my country proudly, and I just let them play their game.

Response by CWO4 Brook Kelsey made Aug 23 at 2019 3:43 AM

2019-08-23T03:43:38-04:00

I had the unfortunate duty of report a veteran Master Sergeant for impersonating an officer. His DD-214 showed he retired from the United States Marines as an E-8, MSgt, Topography Specialist who served in two tours in Vietnam. However, he presented himself as a CWO5, infantry officer. I honestly believe he was delusional. Very sad.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2019 2:51 AM

2019-08-26T02:51:35-04:00

So I know there are a lot of comments on this and I know it's definitely been said to me as well as all over the internet but stolen valor is an actual crime that involves someone who is non military (meaning they never served) and pretending to have served for monetary gain (this goes from something as little as trying to get a free coffee at Dunkin doughnuts to actually trying to get benefits. Every other classification is just some jerk pretending to be a servicememeber in social events or things like that... Hope this comment helps.

Response by SPC Jim Hannon made Aug 27 at 2019 12:43 AM

2019-08-27T00:43:44-04:00

As a combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient I don’t think there’s anything sadder than people that DID actually serve, but for some reason feel the need to embellish on their own accomplishments. I know guys that really did receive Purple Hearts in Iraq (personally saw their injury happen) and tell people they have Silver Stars to go with them when they do not. It makes no sense to me. Even if you were a desk jockey that never left the states you still did more than most people ever will. You still signed up to potentially give your life for our nation. Brag on that.

Response by Bruce Niemi made Aug 27 at 2019 6:48 PM

2019-08-27T18:48:15-04:00

While registering for university classes during the war in Vietnam I overheard an U.S. Air Force captain at the AFROTC registration table going of on a hippie for wearing a USAF khaki Bush jacket with A1C insignia claiming the hippie was impersonating a member of the armed forces.

Response by SPC Patrick McNamara made Aug 31 at 2019 12:45 AM

2019-08-31T00:45:34-04:00

Funny how they all seem to impersonate Airborne Ranger Special Forces, Navy SEALS, or Marine Recon. They never impersonate cooks, mechanics, or supply clerks.

Response by SSG Patrick Williams made Sep 1 at 2019 12:38 PM

2019-09-01T12:38:03-04:00

Sometimes it's a matter of them wishing they had the guts to serve, but this is as close as they get because they can't make it in the real military.