How should we confront someone pretending to be in the military?

2014-11-30T06:03:28-05:00

After watching the video entitled "Veteran Of 2/506th Calls Out Fake Ranger At Oxford Valley Mall" I feel conflicted. Did the Veteran of 2/506th do the right thing? I've been told since I joined that we are ambassadors in the community. I know that what's expected of me is probably different than that of a Veteran. How should I react?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 6:30 AM

2014-11-30T06:30:07-05:00

I think you make a great point here. While I too would confront stolen valor if I saw it, I also think that as an active duty service member I need to represent myself and the military in a professional manner. I admit that it may be difficult to maintain composure when dealing with a fraud like this, but you are absolutely right that we are ambassadors in the community as active duty service members. As a veteran, I would probably recommend using a little more tact, but in this situation I wouldn't hold it against the veteran for losing his cool...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 6:37 AM

2014-11-30T06:37:49-05:00

You need to be a defender of your brothers' and sisters' honor. We defend the rights of all, but impersonating one of us, especially for personal gain, is illegal.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 6:43 AM

2014-11-30T06:43:22-05:00

I would want to make sure I was right before making allegations against an individual. And a cooler calmer head would be better. Although must would rather tear them apart.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 6:53 AM

2014-11-30T06:53:12-05:00

I see people in formation every day that are only pretending to be Soldiers. Not only do they disrespect the uniform, but they discredit us by not living up to the army values.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Nov 30 at 2014 7:42 AM

2014-11-30T07:42:39-05:00

I think I would take a bit more subtle approach, especially with the swearing in font of his son. At the end, he seemed like a lunatic as the poser walked away. That said, the idiot got what he deserved. Too bad we can't start a poser registration site.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 8:42 AM

2014-11-30T08:42:35-05:00

We are supposed to be silent professionals, so berating this person on camera in public for your five seconds of fame is not the right way.

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Nov 30 at 2014 8:41 AM

2014-11-30T08:41:26-05:00

I wouldn't mind ridiculing that idiot. Maybe I would curb my language, maybe I wouldn't punch the guy in the face, but I will NOT stand there and be insulted by any idiot who tries to be like us! I run into real veterans all the time and I know the difference!

Response by PO1 Michael G. made Nov 30 at 2014 2:28 PM

2014-11-30T14:28:40-05:00

SrA Private RallyPoint Member I agree with others who advocate the subtler approach. The thing that I found distasteful on the part of the real veteran was him using his son as a prop get the fake guy's attention.

Having never actually encountered stolen valor in real life, I'm not sure how I would react. I would probably not film it, though.

Response by TSgt Jackie Jones made Nov 30 at 2014 2:44 PM

2014-11-30T14:44:25-05:00

I would ask all the questions and show the fake that he or she is lacking. Continue to attack with the questions. Advise them to get out of that uniform and never do it again. It is despicable. But, the fraud has low values and morals to begin with and is clearly acting out of selfish motives. Whatever anyone could say will not make a difference. That person must change the way they think. Shame on them.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 6:39 PM

2014-11-30T18:39:09-05:00

Here's how one guy did it, SrA Private RallyPoint Member. This was a bit confrontational, in my opinion, but that's probably what it takes to get through to these posers.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/fake-ranger-at-a-pa-mall-on-black-friday

Fake Ranger at a PA Mall on Black Friday | RallyPoint

This guy was called out at a mall in PA by a vet. EDIT: He claims he went to basic at Ft Jackson and is stationed at Ft Lewis, and claimed belonging to the Ranger's 2nd Battalion, versus going to basic at Ft Benning. Rhetorically asking, is that battalion stationed at Ft Lewis in beautiful Seattle? I thought they all were at Ft Benning, as noted below he got that part right. This guy did his research to a point, but falls short when claiming...

Response by MSgt Lamont Goolsby made Nov 30 at 2014 6:40 PM

2014-11-30T18:40:37-05:00

I never confronted the situation in real life. I could feel the veterans frustration building as this guy continued to lie, yea he dropped a couple of "F" bombs, but at least he didn't rip his head off. The fact is that there are 1,000's of people running around like this guy posing as military, policeman, fireman, you name it. It angers me, but it is also saddening. I would have probably took the SNCO approach and calmly schooled him to the point where he would have taken that uniform off right there.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 6:45 PM

2014-11-30T18:45:22-05:00

Most of the time Grunts go high and to the right. So I would probably lose my s!$t on him but not always the best move. Always say something, attempt to keep it professional.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 7:03 PM

2014-11-30T19:03:21-05:00

Just watched the video... Do that.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Nov 30 at 2014 8:06 PM

2014-11-30T20:06:23-05:00

As a service member, remember that what you do will be judged and may affect your career. As a veteran, you have more latitude to step out there, but remember that if you go haywire, it may cause you legal issues.

It is too bad that you can't tag them like a shark with a homing beacon and the Poser Police would just scoop em up later and carry them off to Poser Jail....

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 5:40 AM

2014-12-01T05:40:51-05:00

Redirect from original question, what would you do if you saw someone of higher rank wearing a badge that they are not authorized to be wearing. Do you confront them or do you report them to someone else?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 6:08 PM

2014-12-01T18:08:30-05:00

I think he handled himself very well for someone who lost friends in THAT uniform. I personally would have knocked him out and thought about consequences later. Just my 2 cents. This continued growing trend of stolen valor cases INFURIATES me...

Response by CSM William Johnson made Dec 1 at 2014 6:18 PM

2014-12-01T18:18:34-05:00

I think that anyone in question needs to be confronted. I would conduct myself professionally, but I don't blame this NCO for losing his cool. It gets very frustrating watching people like this dishonor our fellow service members, but as mentioned we are ambassador to the people we serve. Get whatever information you can and report it to your chain of command. These valor thieves will get what's coming to them because of great people like the ones on this forum. Thank you all for what you do to keep us all safe.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 6:41 PM

2014-12-01T18:41:58-05:00

There is a right way to handle that situation, but that video was not a good example of it. Cursing at him in front of his own child and the public and harassing him is the wrong way.

You are absolutely correct that we are ambassadors in the community. As such, it is our responsibility to handle such matters professionally and discreetly. Whether it's an imposter, a fellow service-member doing the wrong thing, or just a person in need, acting the right way is just as important as taking action itself.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 1 at 2014 9:34 PM

2014-12-01T21:34:46-05:00

My personal response is a non emotion one... enough to let them know they have been caught.. but no frothing of the mouth, screaming and yelling..
Reality is, the poser is not influenced at all, but such antics may influence the perspective of a casual observer in a negative manner. Without perspective and insight, the observer will likely see the loud, "out of control" military member as the aggressor, the one with the "issue"

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 3:58 PM

2014-12-02T15:58:03-05:00

I agree that this could have been handled differently. But, by letting this slide, we are weakening ourselves. Do we let Soldiers who misplace their flag get away with it? No. So why should we allow civilians to wear the uniform improperly, and bring disservice to the uniform instead.

Response by MSgt Donald G. made Dec 2 at 2014 3:59 PM

2014-12-02T15:59:42-05:00

I don't have any problem with calling out posers. I think they should be called out and shamed for doing it. Heck, maybe we should even make the criminal punishment be to actually be sent through boot camp and serve a mandatory stint in the service. Of course, they should be given a position that doesn't require a security clearance or have the potential to put somebody's life in jeopardy.

Response by SPC David S. made Dec 2 at 2014 4:17 PM

2014-12-02T16:17:15-05:00

Like you rather conflicted on this as I get where he is coming from. As I know a couple of Rangers and have an SF friend who was KIA this is so very disrespectful to me. I would have more than likely taken the flag of his uniform but then again that's just me and I'm no longer in the Army. However in the video he did a good job of letting the guy get the better of him and became enraged and started blurting out profanities in a mall (Not acting like a good ambassador should). If in service I think its best to get a name if possible and picture and report it to the authorities. As you are active losing it at the mall can get you arrested and get you in trouble with your CoC. However call the person out just do it in a manner that calls the actions of the individual into question. No unit patch is a no brainer that this guy is a poser.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 4:22 PM

2014-12-02T16:22:45-05:00

SrA Private RallyPoint Member I will tell you that the 506th VET did do the right thing. However, he went the wrong way about it. The hard thing for most VETs is: to be able to confront, or call someone (a faker) out without expressing too much emotion. But we cannot simply separate our emotion with what we feel for those we have gone to war with and when we run into a liar claiming to be the same as us.

As a service member, we are in a sense an ambassador to the community. We are supposed to represent the very best of our country. Keep in mind, that sometimes it is not what you say or do, but how you say or do it.

Response by SPC John Gregorio made Dec 2 at 2014 4:27 PM

2014-12-02T16:27:29-05:00

We like to prude ourselves on being as professional as possible while serving our country. And we should be. I think these posers should be outed and publicly shamed. I don't know if I would have done that in front of a child. But, it is also a catch 22 on what you feel is morally right in the situation. Everyone who serves or has served has earned the right to wear your given uniform and decorations. To see that being used and abused is a hard pill to swallow. I can't condemn or praise anyone for how they choose to approach the situation. I think every stolen valor case should be publicly known and published.

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Dec 2 at 2014 6:53 PM

2014-12-02T18:53:05-05:00

Personally I'm a veteran like as if no one knows, but really I seen many want to be but I never cursed them, I never argued, I never got offended either. To me they are just people.
Fact is I know what I am, I know that I am, I know who I am.
If someone whom wants to pretend to be a SM by wearing a uniform in public makes him happy, all the power to them. But is that person is making money from those whom don't know, then its up to me to warn the givers of the current situation so they can take action.
people today can wear what ever they want when they want to and that is not against the law. Excuses like a costume party can be used as a reason and what then?
Still, even if I saw someone wearing a Ranger Tab, or SF Tab, I personally would question them, as a matter of fact I would even spend a little time listening to all the war stories they have to say and never once let them know who I really am, just for the sake of having fun in a conversation. But me as a person I would never go to the extremes with anyone. I know who I am, I know that I am, and I know what I am. To me that's what matters and it keeps out of trouble.
A short story: When I was a little private E-2 I went home on a 30day leave, at the airport, there was this beautiful looking woman whom approached me, sad next to me and started asking me questions: "What branch are you in?" , "What kind of job do I do?", "What unit am I with?", first thing that came to mind was (espionage), because she had a Russian accent and that was we were heavily trained on. My responses were all BS, I said I am a AM/FM stereo radio mechanic and learning to fix color TV's. Thing is I think she picked up either that I was on to her but I ended that "Military question about my unit and my job very fast", with respect.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 11:59 PM

2014-12-02T23:59:22-05:00

He did the right thing. Claiming to be a Ranger and all the accolades that go with it is wrong. It can be a dangerous situation. I really haven't seen anyone outside the infantry call out anyone. There is always a possibility that it could get physical. I would welcome the challenge. I doubt he could a round with me. But that may not be case for everyone.

I take this very seriously. I have so much discontent for those who do this. I view this as one of the lowest acts that a person can do.

Response by SrA Paul David Pfeil made Aug 21 at 2015 11:51 PM

2015-08-21T23:51:41-04:00

Stolen valor is a crime, Obama just made it a felony too, so now they can really get hooked up.

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Feb 5 at 2016 2:47 PM

2016-02-05T14:47:34-05:00

I hate impersonators but they are protected by freedom of speech bunxhbof shit

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2016 7:43 AM

2016-02-06T07:43:22-05:00

A calm level-headed approach is probably the best. Usually the signs of stolen valor are pretty flagrant. Just tell the person whomever he/she is that what they're doing is wrong, and that anyone who has served time will be able to spot them a mile away. There......all done. I'd refrain from pulling your smart phone out and creating a scene. Some of those stolen valor reactions are something right out of a Jerry Springer episode. Then we ALL look like irrational, confrontational, ticking time-bombs in front of an astonished public that already thinks we collectively suffer from PTSD. I hope this helps.