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LTC Public Affairs Officer
66
65
1
The guy instigating this thing is a bigger POS than the dude wth the backpack will ever be! People need to learn what Stolen Valor really is before they try to police it up. Idiot.
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SrA Scott Harris
SrA Scott Harris
7 y
Was this guy trying to get free stuff from the clerk? Not sure where the stolen valor is. I heard the "interviewer" accuse him of using the backpack to get money, but he was phrasing it as a guess so I doubt he actually had any reason to believe the guy was lying to make money. If the guy was telling the clerk he was a Marine Corps sniper and asking for money or free merchandise, the "interviewer" would have mentioned that in the video.
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SPC Todd Alexander
SPC Todd Alexander
7 y
I agree.
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Sgt Chuck Witte
Sgt Chuck Witte
6 y
If he was not trying to get something out of it, and was confronted because he had surplus pack, I would of sort of questioned who the F--- was the guy pursuing a confrontation, he was sort acting like he was getting off on it.
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PFC Ammunition Specialist
PFC (Join to see)
>1 y
SSG Will Phillips - unfortunately your rank has no baring in the civilian world. If you were still active duty and the person that is confronting you is active duty and you both were in uniform, then and only then is were your rank and their rank would matter.

Have a blessed day and great holidays too.
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LCDR Keith Trepanier
28
27
1
The horrible person in the video is the vet bothering the guy. Why would you be such a jerk and harass a guy when you don't have to. the recipient of the questioning didn't look like he had to be taken down any more than he already was.

If you are going to go hunting for someone because of stolen valor, at least know what it is.

Wearing a military backpack isn't stolen valor. Telling someone you were a Marine Sniper isn't stolen valor. Wearing a camo backpack is just wearing a backpack. Saying you were a service member of any type is just a lie. The same as if you said you were an astronaut. It isn't cool but it isn't illegal.

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.
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PVT Andrew Burd
PVT Andrew Burd
7 y
keywords "with intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit"

These videos piss me off...
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SGT Daniel Rocco Ames
SGT Daniel Rocco Ames
6 y
I've had two people approach me with the "stolen valor" garbage for wearing my old BDU field jacket, and for wearing a set of mini wings and mini CAB on my hat. Once I let them know, and in one case rudely that I served 7 years with the 82d, and served two tours they quickly went about their business. I wish they had been recording to be honest. They were just making themselves look like dicks. It's common for the homeless in my area to wear old BDU/ACU when they beg, only time I ask if they served is if their sign specifically says they did. I simply ask "What unit were you in?", "What was your MOS?" and "How long did you serve?" If they can't answer, I move on. If they can, I give them some food or a couple bucks. If they are just homeless asking for food, I give them food. It's simple. I don't berate them for it if they lie.
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PFC Ammunition Specialist
PFC (Join to see)
>1 y
SGT Daniel Rocco Ames - thank you for being kind to the homeless Veterans and civilians. It takes a kind heart and a simple kind gesture that can still show others what humanity is truly like.
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PFC Ammunition Specialist
25
24
1
The issue of stolen valor has gone way too far with people confronting others that are wearing camouflage clothing or saying the are prior service members. Let them be....who are they hurting? No one, if you really think about it.

Now if they are wearing ribbons and medals and getting discounts along with other things then yes there would be a problem. Then with calm cool and collected voice confront the person but you don't have to be an asshole like the one in the video showing off for his buddy.

In order to get respect, you must give respect.
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