DoD members (non military) using their CAC to get military discounts. Is that stolen valor?

2015-11-13T10:40:01-05:00

I'm a federal employee during the week. As a DoD employee we have Common Access Cards for our work, but apparently a few members feel somehow entitled to flash their CAC in order to receive a free lunch on Veteran's Day. Most cashiers don't take the time to realize it's not a military CAC.

Personally I don't care about the money, but to claim your a Veteran for discounts or freebies is insulting. Trust me I've had the chance to voice my displeasure to the individuals. What does everyone else think? Is this Stolen Valor in a sense?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 13 at 2015 10:46 AM

2015-11-13T10:46:54-05:00

I don't think it is necessarily stolen valor it is more like getting a free ride by being pulled up the hill by those with genuine military experience SFC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2015 11:20 AM

2015-11-13T11:20:08-05:00

Kind of chicken shit if you asked me.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Nov 13 at 2015 11:42 AM

2015-11-13T11:42:03-05:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member - Not sure I would paint this as "Stolen Valor." After all, they did show their ID card. However, I would certainly point to a lapse, maybe absence, of integrity. Can't tell a retailer who or how to implement their incentive programs.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2015 12:30 PM

2015-11-13T12:30:34-05:00

By the law, it is stolen valor. because they have financially gained something out of pretending to be a "Veteran" or "Service Member".

Am I wrong?

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Nov 13 at 2015 12:44 PM

2015-11-13T12:44:11-05:00

I wouldn't go as far as calling it stolen valor, but it is unethical. Maybe some of them may have served at one points as well.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 13 at 2015 12:45 PM

2015-11-13T12:45:56-05:00

Stolen Valor and stolen food.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Nov 13 at 2015 2:41 PM

2015-11-13T14:41:02-05:00

Are you one of those weirdo National Guard federal technician types? The civilians who wear the uniform during the week thing? I work with people like that at my job. It was weird getting used to at first! I'm not calling you out by the way!

But to answer your question it is most definitely Stolen Valor and I would possibly report them to their supervisor. It is technically a violation of the law since they benefited financially.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Nov 13 at 2015 3:06 PM

2015-11-13T15:06:38-05:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member - If the DoD employees obtain discounts limited to veterans that they are not entitled to by fraud (claiming to be veterans when they are not), it is larceny (theft by deception). Not only is it "stolen valor", it is a criminal offense.
Shame on them...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2015 3:15 PM

2015-11-13T15:15:03-05:00

Well, they certainly are taking advantage of civilian establishments that do not know any better. And, since they are making financial gain by getting discounts, this does fall under Stolen Valor. At least, that is how I see it.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 13 at 2015 4:48 PM

2015-11-13T16:48:22-05:00

By presenting their CAC cards they are implying they served in the military and received benefits due to false pretenses.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2015 11:42 AM

2015-11-16T11:42:03-05:00

Idk I feel like they should ave certain entitlements IF they were overseas and mererly half of them have prior service

Response by SGT Tony Gird made Dec 3 at 2015 1:07 PM

2015-12-03T13:07:53-05:00

Discounts ONLY available to Veterans should not apply to DoD civilians. There are, however, many, many discounts available to DoD employees whether in uniform or civilian.

Response by SSG Tom Fuller made Jan 7 at 2016 12:50 PM

2016-01-07T12:50:56-05:00

Is this really a problem? Most of the DoD civilians in my agency are vets.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2018 10:13 PM

2018-09-02T22:13:16-04:00

This is kind of an old topic, so sorry for bringing it up, but my brother his currently doing this, I’ve tried telling him it’s wrong, is there anything else I should do to convince him not to do it, the people giving him a military discount don’t realize there’s a difference between a military and civilian ID

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2019 5:56 PM

2019-06-05T17:56:32-04:00

I am a Veteran and I have a CaC card, I am also in the Alaska State Defense Force as part of the Alaska State National Guard, reason why I am wearing the Uniform.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2019 6:18 PM

2019-06-05T18:18:23-04:00

Found out how to change my rank way to much information that I could handle I don't remember any troop details or numbers. I never claimed to be a Hero. I am a simple Veteran. My special skills were that I was a great Janitor in the Army, I could sweep and mopp the floors real good. Now that's not stolen Valor. How many of you can claim to be a great Janitor I also do windows