What would you do if you found out that a person was lying about his/her military service and/or medals and ribbons?

SA Tony Minton — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 21:29:27 -0400

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jul 6 at 2016 9:30 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 21:30:26 -0400

SA Tony Minton I would try to correct it person to person and then report it to the authorities.

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Jul 6 at 2016 9:33 PM

MAJ Rene De La Rosa — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 21:33:28 -0400

Oh, that is dangerous ground to walk on. If one has served honorably, and finds out that someone else is out there getting rewards for merely putting on a uniform and learning a couple of phrases, there will be some serious questioning of the liar in question. After that, it will be contentious.

Response by SA Tony Minton made Jul 6 at 2016 9:37 PM

SA Tony Minton — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 21:37:00 -0400

And the sad thing is that people can get the medals, ribbons, and uniforms at military surplus stores and Army/Navy stores.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2016 9:50 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 21:50:15 -0400

it's the duty of the informed (veterans in this case) to seek out and eliminate impostors and liars. if we didn't do it, who would? I think any veteran who catches someone in a lie should confront the individual and contact the authorities.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2016 9:53 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 21:53:19 -0400

Video record that person and send it to Stolen Valor!

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Jul 7 at 2016 2:31 AM

PO1 Brian Austin — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 02:31:08 -0400

It would depend if they are doing it for personal gain, committing fraud. In that case, confront and report. However if its a guy embellishing his piss poor self esteem at a bar with his buddies, it's not that big of a deal, IMO. It is still wrong though.

Response by SSgt Nicholas Merchant made Jul 7 at 2016 6:48 AM

SSgt Nicholas Merchant — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 06:48:00 -0400

I let them talk and enjoy listening knowing they are full of crap i get angry but find humor in how sad it is that they feel that just servjng isnt good enough

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Jul 7 at 2016 3:28 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 15:28:33 -0400

I would feel sorry for this individual,but on a personal note would have got quite a chuckle out of it if it were ever done during my service time Vietnam,not likely though the hippies and the protestors would not have been caught dead in uniform,pity!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2016 5:15 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 17:15:33 -0400

Don't have to lie just don't talk about it. The PX ships right to the house. ;p

Response by SSG Jeff Carlisle-Tierno made Jul 7 at 2016 9:39 PM

SSG Jeff Carlisle-Tierno — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 21:39:15 -0400

Get pissed off. I'm not getting a rap sheet over these people, though.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2016 2:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 14:55:17 -0400

Ask him what the five fingers say to the face!

Response by CPT Scott Brown made Jul 9 at 2016 11:11 AM

CPT Scott Brown — Sat, 09 Jul 2016 11:11:18 -0400

Nothing..... If I know they are a fraud, so do others. They will fall on their own sword, eventually, as we all watch it happen. I have way more important things to do and worry about.

Response by MCPO Anthony Cole made Jul 13 at 2016 9:46 PM

MCPO Anthony Cole — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 21:46:49 -0400

I have actually done this, I had an individual who was a past commander of our VFW post, I was talking to him one day, he is a year younger than me, mid 40s. He didn't know me from Adam, but the first thing he says is he's a SEAL, did all these top secret missions etc. I asked him his class number, as I went to BUDS 201, and he says he has to go. A while later I became the Quartermaster and those who sit in some way as a board member I require their DD214. He gave me his and on it said Navy SEAL, closed and top secret record, and it was in different type. I am a retired Command Master Chief and in looking at his 214 I could see he exited the military from an F14 squadron. So I call a friend in records, and under the POIA I get his real DD214. Now I could have brought it up at a meeting, and wanted to since good friends who actually were SEALs had died and it really pisses me off. I also learned that the only reason many liked him and voted him in was due to his awesome record and such. I decided to just sit him down and advised him first that we would no longer need his services on the board and since he was drinking heavily again I would not allow him to drink here (he has 8 DUIs and just got out of prison and I don't want him to kill himself or someone else, and our VFW would be found liable), and then I just left him an envelope with the real 214 inside, I said don't open it till later, but you're lucky I don't whip your ass for this, good men have died who earned that trident and the one person who should be the most proud of their service is the person that served. I haven't seen him around to much since and every time I'm there he turns around and leaves.

Response by CW2 Michael Miller made Jun 27 at 2017 8:32 PM

CW2 Michael Miller — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 20:32:32 -0400

Confront them.

Response by PFC Joseph Russo made Jun 28 at 2017 4:29 PM

PFC Joseph Russo — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 16:29:35 -0400

I would hold my composure as a former Marine and confront them prove they are POS's ten expose them to everyone. Put them on front sheet so everyone knows who they really are.

Response by PO2 Mike Fredrickson made Jun 29 at 2017 3:37 AM

PO2 Mike Fredrickson — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 03:37:27 -0400

I would confront the

Response by Cpl K.A. Brickell made Jun 29 at 2017 2:07 PM

Cpl K.A. Brickell — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 14:07:05 -0400

I started Marine Corps and retired army..seen quite a few wanna be'a over the decades. If they are not making a scene or profiting than its not worth my time. But if I do get involved I've found a few quick questions will embarrass and it without any real ugliness.
1:who were you with , a wanna be will say something he read in a book
2: where we're you..expect a war story from hell
3: simply ask any standard quetionie: where did you attend pldc/warrior school BNOC etc.
4: amazing how many army seals went to parris island to earn there master crap wings.
I try to do by saying yea I went to MCRD diego..somewhere along the way theyou realize there version doesn't match mine..just conversation bit I fresh out and still wear the hair and been there done that tshirts.we normally only have that talk once and than we can both move on with being Proud F Civies

Response by PO2 Bill Williams made Jun 29 at 2017 6:29 PM

PO2 Bill Williams — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 18:29:39 -0400

you gotta call them on it.

Response by TSgt Mike Desmond made Jul 1 at 2017 2:10 PM

TSgt Mike Desmond — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 14:10:39 -0400

I would have to confront him her on the spot.

Response by PO2 Richard C. made Jul 6 at 2017 12:37 PM

PO2 Richard C. — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 12:37:51 -0400

I was Adjutant of my Legion post for 8 years and had an almost identical experience as MCPO Anthony Cole. When I took over, the records were in bad shape and incomplete. During the reorganizing, I requested copies of DD214's (or whatever was proper for their service time) from those Legionnaires who didn't have one on file. One wife responded with a copy of her husband's record and when I looked at it I was quite shocked. He had been a member of the Legion for almost 50 years at the time and always claimed to have been a POW in Europe during WWII, but never wanted to talk about it. Turns out he never even left the States! I don't know how many free drinks he got over all that time, but I know I bought him several. I suspect he did not know his wife had sent the document, but probably found out afterwards. He stopped coming down to meetings and the canteen. I didn't tell anyone or say anything to him once he absented himself because I knew he was not in particularly good health, and there was nothing to be gained by trashing him. He died about 18 months later of an aggressive cancer.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jul 6 at 2017 1:25 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 13:25:44 -0400

Step 1 (FAR more important than any potential steps that might follow): Make damn sure--ABSOLUTELY & FACTUALLY sure--you are right and know it is on YOU to prove your accusation to be true, and whether right or wrong, have the guts to own up. If you are not the expert knowledge knower or have even the slightest doubt, ask, investigate, ignore, but do not accuse.

Self-appointed Guardians of Stolen Valor have been wrong, and publically called out someone who was legitimate and truthful, and that's never acceptable.

Step Two: Depends on Step 1.

Response by SPC Ron Walker made Jul 7 at 2017 2:09 PM

SPC Ron Walker — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 14:09:19 -0400

Call them out and make them look stupid. Humiliate them. Don't you dare put on my country's uniform if you haven't earned it. Period.

Response by SP5 Linda Cooke made Jul 8 at 2017 5:08 PM

SP5 Linda Cooke — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 17:08:47 -0400

Have called a couple out already. Had some wannabes who washed out of basic claiming to be veterans and when you start questioning about where they had their training, they get all flustered. Told them that they would be quite welcome to meet some of my veteran friends or quit lying about serving when they couldn't even make through basic. They aren't going around bragging anymore, too many veterans live in the area.

Response by PFC Ira Isaacs made Jul 10 at 2017 9:53 AM

PFC Ira Isaacs — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 09:53:35 -0400

I don't like it but could really care less. Just shrug it off and live your life.

Response by PFC Ira Isaacs made Jul 10 at 2017 9:54 AM

PFC Ira Isaacs — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 09:54:58 -0400

Actually on that note anyone know how to change your rank on this site I hit SPC instead of PFC when I created my account?

Response by CPL Kevin Coulombe made Jul 10 at 2017 6:35 PM

CPL Kevin Coulombe — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 18:35:48 -0400

For me. I just call him out.

Response by Fredrick Neubauer made Jul 11 at 2017 2:30 PM

Fredrick Neubauer — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 14:30:27 -0400

Rip them off his chests

Response by PO3 Ron Hanko made Jul 11 at 2017 11:04 PM

PO3 Ron Hanko — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 23:04:33 -0400

At 72 I'd still kick his ass.

Response by SFC Jim Kirby made Jul 12 at 2017 6:58 PM

SFC Jim Kirby — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 18:58:17 -0400

Kick his ass...

Response by SSgt Donald Libby made Jul 13 at 2017 4:01 PM

SSgt Donald Libby — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 16:01:00 -0400

I would politely listen and question them until they tripped themselves up, which they eventually would do. Have had that happen in the past years ago. Whenever I saw they guy after that he would just go the other direction. It's up to the individual how to treat someone who lies about their service, medals, and ribbons.

Response by SP5 Clifton Berg made Jul 15 at 2017 11:08 AM

SP5 Clifton Berg — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 11:08:26 -0400

Call them out in public.

Response by SPC Ron Walker made Jul 15 at 2017 1:01 PM

SPC Ron Walker — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 13:01:52 -0400

It's pathetic that someone could be such a loser that they would lie about being in the military to earn people's respect. If you want to claim to be a veteran then man up and join up. Do your time and serve your country. If you're deployed....so be it. It's what you signed up for. Don't disrespect the dedication and commitment of those who actually served and those who still do.

Response by SSG Tom Montgomery made Jul 16 at 2017 5:15 PM

SSG Tom Montgomery — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 17:15:24 -0400

Call them out on the spot. And humiliate them.

Response by PV2 Pamela Smith made Jul 20 at 2017 3:26 AM

PV2 Pamela Smith — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 03:26:56 -0400

Be sad he lied

Response by Cpl Lloyd Martin made Jul 20 at 2017 3:01 PM

Cpl Lloyd Martin — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 15:01:29 -0400

Kick his ASS

Response by Cpl Lloyd Martin made Jul 20 at 2017 3:03 PM

Cpl Lloyd Martin — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 15:03:04 -0400

Kick his ASS

Response by MSgt Wayne White made Jul 20 at 2017 6:31 PM

MSgt Wayne White — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 18:31:23 -0400

Why of course I would help him get elected to the U.S. Senate then encourage a lying President to make him Secretary of State.

Response by LCpl James Adams made Jul 23 at 2017 7:12 PM

LCpl James Adams — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 19:12:23 -0400

Let him know that I know and try to shame him!

Response by SSG William Black made Jul 29 at 2017 1:14 AM

SSG William Black — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 01:14:38 -0400

I have a fun way of going about this. I don't want to be the asshole that accuses someone of lying and then gets proven wrong. So I've devised a way of asking trick questions. For instance, one Veterans' Day I was at a bar and there was a "Ranger" getting free drinks. So I buddied up and talked to him for a bit. Then I started asking all about Ranger BN. At one point I started bitching about the NODs I used. I said "yeah, we get stuck with old-ass PVS-14's. What about you guys? You still rock 14's or have they hooked you up with those new 17's yet?" Dude actually said "yeah, we got the 17's, but they're shitty." I've got like six or seven ready-to-go trick questions. When I confirm they're full of shit, I loudly and obnoxiously shame them. Helps if you're in a place where you have established credibility, otherwise it's one asshole's word against another's.

Response by SSG Kenneth Lanning made Jul 29 at 2017 2:26 AM

SSG Kenneth Lanning — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 02:26:30 -0400

Make them look like a tool by listening to them stumble around an onslaught of questions...if they have all that cheese, they should have been through at least a couple boards, right? :)

Response by PO3 Bob Bianco made Jul 30 at 2017 7:10 PM

PO3 Bob Bianco — Sun, 30 Jul 2017 19:10:53 -0400

Confront him

Response by MSG David Johnson made Jan 3 at 2018 1:32 PM

MSG David Johnson — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 13:32:38 -0500

At a point in my Army career a friend of mine received a Field Grade Article 15 for wearing a PH that he couldn't prove he earned, this was when there were still a lot of Vietnam Vets still on AD.

Another friend in the motorcycle club world wore his Bronze Star ribbon with 4 oak leaf clusters, no V device.
There are several of us who do have Bronze Stars with and without Valor devices. Several of us have multiple.
We were all sitting around talking and drinking, telling War stories. Someone asked this guy about his 5 BSM's, he got kinda quiet and deflected. Being in an SF unit we figured it had been on a secret squirrel mission and he couldn't talk about it.
The next time I saw him he didn't have his BS ribbon on. I'm not saying he didn't earn them, but if he's not proud enough to tell about them, something is up I'm thinking.

There have been times I've confronted people, but I've never accused. I've been told I'm a bit intimidating at times.

We had an E-4 in our unit that had to be escorted out of Iraq due to a mental breakdown. Next time we see him he's an ROTC Cadet, next after that we find him on Facebook. He's posted pictures of himself, he's instructing a class, he's wearing E-5 stripes and a CIB. His primary MOS was 12B, not 11 series, he was telling all his friends he was going to selection and he was going to become an SF Combat Engineer.
Before anyone thought about getting screenshots someone called him out on his FB page, he blocked anyone from our unit and changed the spelling of his name. I used a FB game account to look for him, that's how we found out he changed the spelling of his name. But if he does pop up he will be found.

Response by PV2 Scott Senior made Jan 12 at 2018 10:57 PM

PV2 Scott Senior — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 22:57:09 -0500

I would call him a fucking liar and walk away