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O-6 - Col
O-6 - Col
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I saw something off about an older guy today, wondering if this could be stolen valor?
So today during summer courses at my college, I noticed something pretty sketchy about an old man who has been in there taking the course as well. I wanted to ask y’all about it before I rush to any conclusions, but I’m pretty sure something might be going on here. So basically, every other day he’s come to class, he’s just worn plain civilian clothing. However, today he came in wearing an Air Force ABU patrol cap with civilian attire, and the cap had a silver full-bird Colonel rank on it and no name tape (and no Velcro on the back either). The color of the ABU on the PC also seemed to be noticeably darker than what I’ve seen active Air Force guys wearing. I’m Army myself, so I don’t know all the specifics on Air Force uniform regulations, but it just feels wrong in a lot of ways. Later on in class, he started schooling the professor on giving us extra study material (which he has given us plenty but that’s beside the point), and used his supposed career as an Air Force Officer as a qualification to be able to tell the professor how to do his job. So my question to y’all is: is this guy full of bs, or is there a possibility he could actually be a veteran but just displaying that in a weird way? Because as far as I knew, rank on the Air Force ABU’s was supposed to be subdued (black) and I’ve never seen anybody just wear a PC with civvies like that. I just want to hear your opinions on the situation
So today during summer courses at my college, I noticed something pretty sketchy about an old man who has been in there taking the course as well. I wanted to ask y’all about it before I rush to any conclusions, but I’m pretty sure something might be going on here. So basically, every other day he’s come to class, he’s just worn plain civilian clothing. However, today he came in wearing an Air Force ABU patrol cap with civilian attire, and the cap had a silver full-bird Colonel rank on it and no name tape (and no Velcro on the back either). The color of the ABU on the PC also seemed to be noticeably darker than what I’ve seen active Air Force guys wearing. I’m Army myself, so I don’t know all the specifics on Air Force uniform regulations, but it just feels wrong in a lot of ways. Later on in class, he started schooling the professor on giving us extra study material (which he has given us plenty but that’s beside the point), and used his supposed career as an Air Force Officer as a qualification to be able to tell the professor how to do his job. So my question to y’all is: is this guy full of bs, or is there a possibility he could actually be a veteran but just displaying that in a weird way? Because as far as I knew, rank on the Air Force ABU’s was supposed to be subdued (black) and I’ve never seen anybody just wear a PC with civvies like that. I just want to hear your opinions on the situation
Posted in these groups: 
Stolen Valor
Col
Stolen Valor Col
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 7
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Well first you have to ask yourself what self respecting faker would fake being in the Air Force? So either this guy really is an Air Force Vet or a sorry excuse for a faker.
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Is the guy lying? Maybe. It doesn't really matter. It's not "Stolen Valor" unless you know this individual is financially benefitting from service they did not earn. At a minimum he's just a guy in a ABU hat pretending to be a Col. At most a Ret. Colonel who hasn't realized he's a civilian yet. Both are social red flags imo. I'd stay clear but eye rolling along with the rest of the class is optional.
Is he an a-hole? Absolutely. He's forgetting he's a student. He should stay in his lane and stop being dink to the professor. It doesn't matter if he's Jesus or the former SECDEF; professor's class, professor's rules.
Is he an a-hole? Absolutely. He's forgetting he's a student. He should stay in his lane and stop being dink to the professor. It doesn't matter if he's Jesus or the former SECDEF; professor's class, professor's rules.
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2LT (Join to see)
I agree, I figured that as long as he wasn’t trying to get something out of it, I could ignore it and go on about my day. No reason to spend my time arguing with some old guy playing colonel when I could be doing something productive.
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PC with rank in civvies is a no go. Otherwise it isn't an issue to me. Subdued rank is mandatory for field/deployed situations but is fine at home station. No name tapes on AF PCs unless that is a new deal. Not that I'm aware of though.
He's either a fruitcake for wearing it and just wants to show off or he's a fraud. Most likely the latter. An actual O-6 would know better and just show off his BMW or Mercedes and talk about all the great golfing he's done. Catch him off to the side and politely ask him what's up. Maybe ask him if the AF reg (actually an Instruction) allows the wear of the cap in civvies. If he says yes, ask him what the reference is, so you can educate yourself (a polite way to call him out when you are really calling his bluff). If he's an old cat it would be AFR 35-10 which is no longer valid. A more recent guy would say AFI 36-2903. Both are your DA 670-1 equivalent. If he doesn't or can't give you either one you know he is a Stolen Valor dipshit.
Let me know what you find out.
He's either a fruitcake for wearing it and just wants to show off or he's a fraud. Most likely the latter. An actual O-6 would know better and just show off his BMW or Mercedes and talk about all the great golfing he's done. Catch him off to the side and politely ask him what's up. Maybe ask him if the AF reg (actually an Instruction) allows the wear of the cap in civvies. If he says yes, ask him what the reference is, so you can educate yourself (a polite way to call him out when you are really calling his bluff). If he's an old cat it would be AFR 35-10 which is no longer valid. A more recent guy would say AFI 36-2903. Both are your DA 670-1 equivalent. If he doesn't or can't give you either one you know he is a Stolen Valor dipshit.
Let me know what you find out.
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TSgt David L.
2LT (Join to see) - Sure thing. Happy to help. If nothing else you might meet a fellow Vet.
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