Posted on Mar 22, 2017
The problem with calling out ‘stolen valor': What if you’re wrong?
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I couldn't live with myself if I done this, but I can't imagine how immoral one must be to fake military service. So, unless it is very obvious, I would not go there.
My father is a Bronze star recipient. Would it be wrong for me to wear that award on my a civilian jacket to honor my father? (This question is just of interest to see how people felt about wearing such things to honor our parents or siblings etc. A person wearing something not for personal gain. In my case the BSM will actually be given to my youngest sister. I am not a combat vet; the medal was earned in Vietnam and my sister served in Iraq. Just seems fitting to me that she gets it.) So, don't get your panties in a bunch and make assumptions.
My father is a Bronze star recipient. Would it be wrong for me to wear that award on my a civilian jacket to honor my father? (This question is just of interest to see how people felt about wearing such things to honor our parents or siblings etc. A person wearing something not for personal gain. In my case the BSM will actually be given to my youngest sister. I am not a combat vet; the medal was earned in Vietnam and my sister served in Iraq. Just seems fitting to me that she gets it.) So, don't get your panties in a bunch and make assumptions.
The problem with calling out ‘stolen valor': What if you’re wrong?
Posted from washingtonpost.comPosted in these groups: 
Stolen Valor
Stolen Valor
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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Another problem with people calling out others for Stolen Valor, is that a lot of time, even if the person in question has no military background, what they are doing is not in fact Stolen Valor, but just them being idiots. Simply wearing camouflage, parts of military uniforms or accouterments, is not Stolen Valor. In the end what usually ends up happening is some ass clown films the encounter on his cell phone, screams and shouts and make a big deal out of nothing and posts it to YouTube and ends up looking like just as big of fool as the jerk sporting a Ranger T-shirt.
As for the BSM, like others have said, if you did not earn it I would not wear it...there are other ways to honor your father.
As for the BSM, like others have said, if you did not earn it I would not wear it...there are other ways to honor your father.
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PO3 James Bobiney
Exactly! The person filming it and screaming and shouting is making a big fat fool out of themselves. They sell that clothing on the market for anybody to wear. As long as they do not have insignia and/or medals they did not earn on them, then I don't have a problem. Same with the guys wearing a T shirt saying Rangers or whatever on it. Would be the same as me wearing a football Tshirt with the name of my team favorite players number, just showing support. Again, if no insignia or medals then no problem.
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MSgt (Join to see)
I have approached people for how they are wearing a uniform. I retired active duty. Now I live near an AFN guard base. Some of the guard people have no respect for the uniform. I've seen them down town with their cami, what ever they call them now, unbuttoned, no cover etc. One guy told me, its not like active duty, they have no say what I do when I am off duty. I don't make a scene, but that guy got pissed. I just told him he was a disgrace to everyone else who wears the uniform and left it.
I don't recollect seeing the Army Guard folks do that.
I don't recollect seeing the Army Guard folks do that.
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I'm not the type to call out Stolen Valor. I might laugh at some of the people who get called out on it, but I wouldn't do it personally. That being said though, if I did see someone who looks jacked up, I might pull him to the side and tell him he needs to go into the bathroom and fix himself because he looks like ass.
Now in regards to paying tribute to your father. I wouldn't wear it personally because it could be misconstrued. But I would do something to honor him. Maybe a plaque with the medal on one side and a picture of your father in uniform on the other side. Maybe even a little engraving with dates of service or something sentimental.
I would definitely do something to honor your father, but I don't think wearing his medal would do that. I think it would do more harm than good.
Now in regards to paying tribute to your father. I wouldn't wear it personally because it could be misconstrued. But I would do something to honor him. Maybe a plaque with the medal on one side and a picture of your father in uniform on the other side. Maybe even a little engraving with dates of service or something sentimental.
I would definitely do something to honor your father, but I don't think wearing his medal would do that. I think it would do more harm than good.
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MSgt (Join to see)
The question was just of interest to see how people felt about wearing such things to honor our parents or siblings etc. A person wearing something not for personal gain. In my case the BSM will actually be given to my youngest sister. I am not a combat vet; the medal was earned in Vietnam and my sister served in Iraq. Just seems fitting to me that she gets it.
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Cpl Justin Goolsby
MSgt (Join to see) - Which is an understandable motive. The problem comes from everyone else. While you might know it is worn as a tribute, it'll be all the others who come out accusing stolen valor and such. Personally, I think you would spend more time trying to explain that you are trying to honor your father than actually honoring your father.
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I gave my daughter a small version of my jump wings. She fought wildfires in Idaho, she's a wildland firefighter, an EMS, a paramedic. We traded. I got her Cadeuces.
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