Stolen Valor question

[D Train]

You've probably heard of Stolen Valor. It's where civilians pretend to be military for one reason or another. There are a million videos on YouTube where these guys get confronted.
Anyway, my question is, what's the threshold for impersonating military personnel? I wear fatigue pants I got from a surpluss store when I'm doing yard work. Is that enough? Surely not, right?
A follow up question to our military guys and girls on here, have you ever seen this first hand?

 

[M3t4tr0n]

Couple years ago military fatigues were a hiphop fashion statement for a bit

 

[Zer]

I wear fatigue pants I got from a surpluss store when I'm doing yard work. Is that enough? Surely not, right?

Risky, but probably okay. If someone stops by and starts saluting you or some shit maybe just go inside until they leave

 

[TheVenom]

Wearing articles of military clothing are ok. Wearing a full on uniform and trying to get benefits, for me, is inexcusable. In my opinion, it's sad to pretend to be something you're not as a grown man.

I've seen it a couple of times around my town and I said something both times. If you want the benefits of being military, sign your name on the line like the rest of us did.

Edit: I think my real issue is that these stolen valor cats always come up with crazy stories lol. They never pick a profession someone wouldn't question like a cook or some admin type job. Always a navy seal sniper that trained Tim Kennedy how to shoot back 'Nam.

 

[Deleted member 220895]

It's stolen valor if you claim to be a veteran. I don't mind when people where those old army coats (taxi driver). If the surplus store sells it, then I think it's fine to wear. Now if you add rank to it, a branch patch and your name, then that's a different story. You could wear it without patches and claim not to be a veteran and it be fine in my eyes. A little weird, but thats whats great about this country.

 

[Tentacle]

I'm not mil but I would suppose if you wear rank or unit insignia.

Also, kinda douchy to wear a blank "ARMY" shirt if you haven't served. Just buy some charity I support the troops t-shirt.

 

[D Train]

Risky, but probably okay. If someone stops by and starts saluting you or some shit maybe just go inside until they leave

I had a lady stop and thank me for my service once and literally had no idea what she was talking about. I thought she was glad I was cleaning my yard.

 

[D Train]

It's stolen valor if you claim to be a veteran. I don't mind when people where those old army coats (taxi driver). If the surplus store sells it, then I think it's fine to wear. Now if you add rank to it, a branch patch and your name, then that's a different story. You could wear it without patches and claim not to be a veteran and it be fine in my eyes. A little weird, but thats whats great about this country.

Are you in the military? If so, have you seen any of those videos? I'm pretty sure no civilian could BS a military guy. Some of them are hilarious.

 

[Minimal Payne]

I have no problem with people wearing random assorted military clothes as long as they're not trying to get free shit or something

 

[Deleted member 220895]

Are you in the military? If so, have you seen any of those videos? I'm pretty sure no civilian could BS a military guy. Some of them are hilarious.

I was in the army for six years and got out six years ago. I've seen some of those videos (not the chilis one) and they do piss me off. There was one of a fat guy walking his dog with only a dress blue top with a trillion different medals and ribbons, and he was bragging that he was going to get free starbucks. The thing about these people stealing valor is that they don't do the research. They don't realize that just about your whole military career, your uniform standard and military appearance is paramount in everything you do. It's a pride thing. They don't have pride and it's obvious.

 

[Henry Swanson]

@equus sent me a stolen valor YouTube video of a dude from Hawaii who claimed every rank in every faction of the U.S. Military. It's one of the most ridiculous videos I've ever seen. It's literally one lie after another.

 

[GearSolidMetal]

You've probably heard of Stolen Valor. It's where civilians pretend to be military for one reason or another. There are a million videos on YouTube where these guys get confronted.
Anyway, my question is, what's the threshold for impersonating military personnel? I wear fatigue pants I got from a surpluss store when I'm doing yard work. Is that enough? Surely not, right?
A follow up question to our military guys and girls on here, have you ever seen this first hand?

I've never personally seen someone attempt to do the 'Stolen Valor' thing, but I'd call them out on it if I did.

Stolen Valor is far beyond just wearing ACU/BDU pants, no one is going to think you're still in the military, they may think you're homeless. It's the fuckers that impersonate military personnel with wearing the complete uniform, badly. Generally, the youtube videos have shown the people that have been called out on this are low intelligence, very little self-respect, and are horrible liars.

 

[sub_thug]

Stolen Valor is when you present yourself as though you are in the military (like wear a complete uniform) or claim to be one to collect benefits. A pair of BDU pants is not stolen valor to me. If you wear a complete uniform, yeah, it pisses me off because a lot of good people have given their lives in that uniform, but there is another part of me just feels bad for the guy. If you're a grown man playing dress-up, you're probably not doing so well in life.

 

[Henry Swanson]

[yt]

 

[Lanx]

You can wear whatever the FUCK you want.

Fuck those vets who want to call you out on wearing army SURPLUS, those fuckers should be thanking you for SUPPORTING the army by buying old dirty shit!


However, if you're trying to pass yourself off as a war hero, then yea, fuck you.

It's intent, that's what matters.

 

[drstrangelov]

Nobody's confusing a guy in camo cargo shorts for an active duty serviceman.

Stolen valor vigilantes are pretty terrible though, they frequently make mistakes and harass vets for no good reason.

 

[IIIIIIII]

Wearing articles of military clothing are ok. Wearing a full on uniform and trying to get benefits, for me, is inexcusable. In my opinion, it's sad to pretend to be something you're not as a grown man.

I've seen it a couple of times around my town and I said something both times. If you want the benefits of being military, sign your name on the line like the rest of us did.

Edit: I think my real issue is that these stolen valor cats always come up with crazy stories lol. They never pick a profession someone wouldn't question like a cook or some admin type job. Always a navy seal sniper that trained Tim Kennedy how to shoot back 'Nam.

i remember watching this stolen valor video where this guy claimed to be a navy seal. a bunch of rangers confronted the guy, and once they figured out the guy was full of shit, they just about kicked his ass just outside this restaurant. the bottom line, is don't try pulling that dishonorable bullshit. my brother-in-law is a u.s. marine, but he's pretty relaxed about the whole thing. but he has former vet friends who wouldn't be as calm about it.

 

[TheVenom]

i remember watching this stolen valor video where this guy claimed to be a navy seal. a bunch of rangers confronted the guy, and once they figured out the guy was full of shit, they just about kicked his ass just outside this restaurant. the bottom line, is don't try pulling that dishonorable bullshit. my brother-in-law is a u.s. marine, but he's pretty relaxed about the whole thing. but he has former vets who wouldn't be as calm about it.

I remember thatvideo. Part of me felt bad for the kid but, at the same time, fuck him. Never claim to be spec ops anything around the elite. They sacrifice a LOT to accomplish what they have. I adamantly stand by my belief that anyone can be military. Everyone can't be SF, Ranger, etc., however. To claim you're one of them, simply for praise, is insulting.

 

[steve38]

Even worse are some US expats around the world who served in the military at a lowly rank and then re-invent themselves as Navy Seal, Green Beret or Delta Force when they go abroad. The local McDonald's in most of SE Asia are special forces HQ every morning.

 

[sub_thug]

Even worse are some US expats around the world who served in the military at a lowly rank and then re-invent themselves as Navy Seal, Green Beret or Delta Force when they go abroad. The local McDonald's in most of SE Asia are special forces HQ every morning.

The only place where you will find a large number of Army SOF is here at Ft Bragg. And I can assure you that literally no one around here gives a shit because there are so many people here who are actually "special ops."