stolen-valor-free-speech-crime

I have to agree! None of these individuals are normal.

I follow a few forums that out "posers" and put them on blast. They are all run by veterans who are pretty savvy on what and who needs to be called out and who is simply someone who is Mentally off and harmless.
Make no mistake, stolen valor is often just the cherry on top of the shit sundae of a persons character. Once you expose a Poser and scratch the surface you often find a con-man, a felon, fraudster, sex offender, rapist or even a murderer.

I agree there is something not quite right with someone who pretends to be something they are not but I also understand the visceral anger some people have to seeing this. Every time I read a case of stolen valor, it is never someone trying to impersonate an E-3, it is always some over the top, 50-medal wearing, elite force member, superhero. It is a slap in the face on so many levels and they are coming into contact with civilians who don't know that they shouldn't be believing them. Their actions have a ripple effect.