As a group what do you think about Stolen Valor and what would you do if you walked up on some one violating the Stolen Valor law?

SFC Rollie Hubbard — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 00:11:13 -0400

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 12:18 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 00:18:20 -0400

Politely tell them they are in the wrong, and then snap a photo of them.

Response by SGT Darryl Allen made Jun 6 at 2015 12:25 AM

SGT Darryl Allen — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 00:25:37 -0400

Quite likely, nothing. I don't want to be the guy that calls somebody out and get it wrong. Unless he's as fucked up as a football bat, I'm not risking it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 12:29 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 00:29:41 -0400

If they were legitimately in violation (most of the people publicly touted as violators actually aren't) I would probably report them...I might take a photo as evidence in case they left while authorities were on the way.

What I would not do is try to physically detain or punish them, post any photos or videos of our interaction, or tell anyone (besides possibly actual friends of mine) or post on this website or any other, that it occurred.

Response by SFC Robert Wheeler made Jun 6 at 2015 12:42 AM

SFC Robert Wheeler — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 00:42:15 -0400

Stolen Valor tends to find the obvious fakers. I tend not to engage those kind of people because you never know what flavor of nut job you are encountering. I will report my suspicions and let somebody in law enforcement deal with the individual.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 6 at 2015 1:12 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 01:12:01 -0400

Three things are needs to violate the law, the actual act and the mental intent and fulfillment of the standards of the violate. Those trying to brings stolen valor cases to justice must know the standards of law. If I identified a person committing stolen valor, I would inform that person and film the incident.

Response by SGT Eric Kesseler made Jun 6 at 2015 1:17 AM

SGT Eric Kesseler — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 01:17:27 -0400

I think this whole thing has been blown out of proportion. Don't get me wrong, wearing or claiming to have honors you did not earn is detestable and makes you a Class A douche bag. I have seen it in many of the veteran's groups on FB. One thing looks weird and everyone is calling them out screaming Stolen Valor. You are only in violation of the Stolen Valor act if you are claiming unearned Silver Stars, Bronze Stars, or ARCOMs with V device, CIB , Ranger Tab, SF tab, etc. AND PROFITING FROM IT! Like you are a paid public speaker because of your supposed credentials. Yes, some punk wearing a Purple Heart that was unearned is the ultimate douche baggery, but unless they are attempting to profit monetarily, then all you can really do is call them out if that makes you feel better. I would only say something if it was blatant and egregious. I'm not the military police, with Army and Navy Surplus stores, any ass hat can get most items. The good surplus stores require citations or DD214 for SS, BSM, PH, etc..

Response by Sgt Ted Daw made Jun 6 at 2015 1:19 AM

Sgt Ted Daw — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 01:19:09 -0400

i teach at a collage and there is a lot of Vet students i suspect of BS war stories and what not. But i cant really just fly off the handle like i want to, so i usually change the subject from whatever they are talking about and explain to them without calling them out that being in the service period is bad ass, that there is no reason to fabricate stories. Works most of the time. One guy even walked me through the whole Generation Kill show as his 3rd tour in Iraq, even though he was Med Sept after 3 years in.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 1:39 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 01:39:47 -0400

First off, I hope that I don't ever have to encounter a situation like that because it angers me so much to see videos of people impersonating Veterans. I would try to remain calm, ask for some indentification and then politely ask the individual to leave the immediate area and never to attempt to impersonate a Veteran again. Now of course, that is the perfect situation, it probably will not go that smoothly.

Response by CPL Zachariah Chitwood made Jun 6 at 2015 1:49 AM

CPL Zachariah Chitwood — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 01:49:50 -0400

I've had one instance with a guy in full ACUs claim that he was "Marine Special Forces". When I informed him that he was in an Army uniform and asked why he couldn't tell me what MARSOC is, I knew. I showed him my KIA bracelet with the names of my fallen brothers, told him to get out of my uniform or I would help. To my surprise, he admitted it, took off the top and handed it to me. When I went outside, he was in bs boxers... He had literally stripped it off. I've never seen someone run so fast in my life...

Some say I lost my bearing. Well, I didn't yell at him. I didn't threaten him. I just addressed it and told him that other vets may not play as nice. So score one for the good guys. Nobody hit hurt and the memories of all of the fallen were kept intact. That was my only care. Don't dishonor those who died.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 2:42 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 02:42:02 -0400

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I could honestly care less if some nut job paraded around in the uniform. We have enough construction workers wearing our boots and trousers. It may be morally wrong, but at the end of the day we all fight for the protection of our first amendment rights. That includes wearing the uniform and stomping on flags. They are not immune from society's punishment but it isn't illegal.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 5:26 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 05:26:21 -0400

Tactfully, call them out.

Although we have the right to defend those things we hold sacred. It is still our responsibility to do it so professionally.
Especially since the civilians are looking for every excuse to target the military budget!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 2:55 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 14:55:34 -0400

As a real military member and veteran, I think it's important to protect our reputation, and the honor earned by those who have served.

I think the best method of dealing with Stolen Valor, is to do much like Guardians of Valor (dot com) does. Make sure it's properly investigated. An impromptu Q&A can reveal all you need to know.

Then tactfully call them out. If they choose to escalate, remember your training and escalate accordingly. Just don't do anything to disgrace or dishonor your own service.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2015 1:09 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 13:09:19 -0400

I want encountered an army colonel helping out at an airshow with the Civil Air Patrol. (He was a member) He gave me his business card and it did not have any doc Mill on it and I ask him what his AKO email was which at the time everybody in the army he had to have; he said he didn't have one. I didn't say anything more but I did suspect something wasn't right I continue to talk with him he seemed to have a very personable demeanor. f*** you rock flags that go up. Several weeks later, when I talk to somebody else in Civil Air Patrol (whp was also a cop) he told me about some others suspected him, I looked him up in AKO which lists all active and reserve Army. not there; I also checked another website which left all the military from all the branches he did serve as an enlisted Air Force for a few years some years ago. So I went back to that CAP member and told him . This cop CAP members had had experience with a few others that applied to join and lied about their military credentials. (Note: military background is not a requirement to join or participate in the Civil Air Patrol but these people want to come in and brag about what they don't have)

Response by SSG Steve Niebergall made Jun 9 at 2015 3:25 PM

SSG Steve Niebergall — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 15:25:27 -0400

I guess it would depend. If the person was obviously trying to profit from it, I would call him out in front of the people he was attempting to defraud. If it was just boasting, I would take him to the side and call him out on it.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2015 8:25 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 20:25:18 -0400

How do yo define stolen valor? Is it a guy who never served claiming he has a Silver Star or is it the admin clerk who claims he saw front line combat when he never left the FOB.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jun 9 at 2015 10:54 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 22:54:44 -0400

I think it is despicable. I would quiz them to make sure that in fact it is Stolen Valor. After that the situation would probably dictate my actions. I do not think I would be getting in their face and screaming at them like you see in the you tube videos.

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Jun 9 at 2015 11:21 PM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 23:21:26 -0400

I heard of a neo-punk rock band called "Stolen Velour"

Response by SGT John W Lugo made Jun 9 at 2015 11:22 PM

SGT John W Lugo — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 23:22:35 -0400

Honestly, after the recent incident in Harrisburg, Pa with a Marine who was called out by a idiot Army guy, It needs to be better refined. Unless you know your regulations correctly for every branch of the Military, and you can show true reg violations then call violator's out and prove your facts. I served 12 years with Army National Guard as a Combat Medic, Sgt. And if you ask me I can honestly tell you I don't recall everything in the Army regulations handbook so does that mean I didn't serve my country? Soldiers need to remember that many soldiers served way before our newer generation and they as well been dealing with PTSD. Because of this stupidity of some I don't wear my Dress Blues during Memorial Day or other Military events to avoid losing my temper on ignorance.

Response by SFC Rollie Hubbard made Jun 15 at 2015 10:18 PM

SFC Rollie Hubbard — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 22:18:09 -0400

Response by PVT Rodney Childs made Dec 4 at 2015 2:47 PM

PVT Rodney Childs — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 14:47:59 -0500

I have never ran into a case of Stolen Valor myself but I would call them out on it. I would let the Authorities decide what to do with him from there.

Response by LCpl Larry Compton made Jun 4 at 2016 8:30 PM

LCpl Larry Compton — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 20:30:38 -0400

Call the person out

Response by LCpl Larry Compton made Jun 4 at 2016 8:30 PM

LCpl Larry Compton — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 20:30:41 -0400

Call the person out