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I want to steal some of Jihadin's valor. I hear he has too much and I am much like the cowardly lion.

 CptJake wrote:
I want to steal some of Jihadin's valor. I hear he has too much and I am much like the cowardly lion.

Lions are not the best soldiers these days, many of the western educated ISIS fighters are trained dentists.

If you're using it for some material gain in some fashion that counts as fraud, it's fraud. If the lie you're using them to tell isn't the kind of lie that wouldn't get you in trouble I don't want military medals to be in some kind of special class.

See it boils down to respect. About the only angle you can take to make lies-via-medals special in a way that demands prosecution where other ones don't is that it's disrespectful to the military. I'm not at all comfortable with the government regulating what is essentially mandatory respect for a government intuition and it's employees.

Is it a dick thing to do? Yeah. However I'd much rather put up some people being dicks, than be legally mandated to show a certain level of reverence for the militarily and it's ceremony.

I have seen many youtube videos about this problem now, and have seen that some people use it as an excuse to bully the mentally sick, the socially inept, and just plain normal people who dressed up for fun.

I dont think the concept of Stolen Valour is one that is viable judicially. How does it really offend someone who wore a uniform that someone is wearing it for show or costume?

Heck, people are wearing army surplus gear all the time, and no one cares.

 triplegrim wrote:
I have seen many youtube videos about this problem now, and have seen that some people use it as an excuse to bully the mentally sick, the socially inept, and just plain normal people who dressed up for fun.

I dont think the concept of Stolen Valour is one that is viable judicially. How does it really offend someone who wore a uniform that someone is wearing it for show or costume?

Heck, people are wearing army surplus gear all the time, and no one cares.

well for the most part if offends people who have had friends die in that uniform or who had to wear it every day of their lives for years on end and had to bleed to even earn the right to wear it. And then you have some jerk pretending to be Active Duty Military to impress people. It is offensive. I agree it is not against the law (until they use it to benefit monetarily) but it is highly offensive.

Some fake non-existing medals might be ok. But wearing real medals without earning it is a fraud.

 Freakazoitt wrote:
But wearing real medals without earning it is a fraud.

No, it's not. Just like sitting at home dressed in scrubs and a name tag saying "SilverMK2, Consultant Brain Surgeon" isn't fraud. The act of using those medals or that unearned credential to commit fraud is what makes it fraud...

 Ghazkuul wrote:

well for the most part if offends people who have had friends die in that uniform or who had to wear it every day of their lives for years on end and had to bleed to even earn the right to wear it. And then you have some jerk pretending to be Active Duty Military to impress people. It is offensive. I agree it is not against the law (until they use it to benefit monetarily) but it is highly offensive.

Many things are offensive. Doesnt make it ok to act as you want and yell at people though. Also, who the heck are people to be offended on behalf of their friends? I had relatives die in several uniforms for several countries, but dont feel entitled to ruin say a graduation day for a kid, just to film how I embarass his weird uncle, who showed up in a Navy Seal uniform or whatever.

I also had uncles killed by italians and germans in uniform. Now that really offends me, when I see people, especially in america, and some of them even veterans, dress up in SS uniforms or whatever for halloween. They still have a right to do it though.

 triplegrim wrote:

 Ghazkuul wrote:

well for the most part if offends people who have had friends die in that uniform or who had to wear it every day of their lives for years on end and had to bleed to even earn the right to wear it. And then you have some jerk pretending to be Active Duty Military to impress people. It is offensive. I agree it is not against the law (until they use it to benefit monetarily) but it is highly offensive.

Many things are offensive. Doesnt make it ok to act as you want and yell at people though. Also, who the heck are people to be offended on behalf of their friends? I had relatives die in several uniforms for several countries, but dont feel entitled to ruin say a graduation day for a kid, just to film how I embarass his weird uncle, who showed up in a Navy Seal uniform or whatever.

I also had uncles killed by italians and germans in uniform. Now that really offends me, when I see people, especially in america, and some of them even veterans, dress up in SS uniforms or whatever for halloween. They still have a right to do it though.

How often do you see Americans dress as SS for halloween? I've lived through over 40 Halloweens in the US, in several places/states and don't think I've seen it once. And frankly, Germany (where your displayed flag seems to indicate you are from) is pathetic when it comes to protecting speech. You can't even sell accurate decals for WW2 models because your country can't handle it.

 CptJake wrote:
.

How often do you see Americans dress as SS for halloween? I've lived through over 40 Halloweens in the US, in several places/states and don't think I've seen it once. And frankly, Germany (where your displayed flag seems to indicate you are from) is pathetic when it comes to protecting speech. You can't even sell accurate decals for WW2 models because your country can't handle it.

I'm from Norway and the flag is usually displayed as norwegian, perhaps because I posted from a plane wifi recently is it german. Couldnt care less about german cencorship laws.

I saw SS and blackface dancing happy together in the research triangle homegrown halloween in both chapel hill and raleigh the years I lived there. Only the blackface made any sort of stir though, so perhaps your own country's overtly touchyness when it comes to enforced cencorship should also receive some of your energy, you seem to have plenty to spare.

 triplegrim wrote:

 Ghazkuul wrote:

well for the most part if offends people who have had friends die in that uniform or who had to wear it every day of their lives for years on end and had to bleed to even earn the right to wear it. And then you have some jerk pretending to be Active Duty Military to impress people. It is offensive. I agree it is not against the law (until they use it to benefit monetarily) but it is highly offensive.

Many things are offensive. Doesnt make it ok to act as you want and yell at people though. Also, who the heck are people to be offended on behalf of their friends? I had relatives die in several uniforms for several countries, but dont feel entitled to ruin say a graduation day for a kid, just to film how I embarass his weird uncle, who showed up in a Navy Seal uniform or whatever.

I also had uncles killed by italians and germans in uniform. Now that really offends me, when I see people, especially in america, and some of them even veterans, dress up in SS uniforms or whatever for halloween. They still have a right to do it though.

Well generally when im talking about having friends die in the uniform im talking about service members who had to watch their buddies get blown up or shot and bleed out in front of you. I was extremely lucky, I only had to watch one of my friends die, and only two of our guys got major wounds. I was even luckier because the worst that happened to me was I got blown up and lost some hearing.

Since you don't seem to find it offensive for people to pretend to be Combat veterans then don't get offended when an actual combat veteran calls out a poser in front of all his friends. Idiots like that deserve public shaming.

 Ghazkuul wrote:

 triplegrim wrote:

 Ghazkuul wrote:

well for the most part if offends people who have had friends die in that uniform or who had to wear it every day of their lives for years on end and had to bleed to even earn the right to wear it. And then you have some jerk pretending to be Active Duty Military to impress people. It is offensive. I agree it is not against the law (until they use it to benefit monetarily) but it is highly offensive.

Many things are offensive. Doesnt make it ok to act as you want and yell at people though. Also, who the heck are people to be offended on behalf of their friends? I had relatives die in several uniforms for several countries, but dont feel entitled to ruin say a graduation day for a kid, just to film how I embarass his weird uncle, who showed up in a Navy Seal uniform or whatever.

I also had uncles killed by italians and germans in uniform. Now that really offends me, when I see people, especially in america, and some of them even veterans, dress up in SS uniforms or whatever for halloween. They still have a right to do it though.

Well generally when im talking about having friends die in the uniform im talking about service members who had to watch their buddies get blown up or shot and bleed out in front of you. I was extremely lucky, I only had to watch one of my friends die, and only two of our guys got major wounds. I was even luckier because the worst that happened to me was I got blown up and lost some hearing.

Since you don't seem to find it offensive for people to pretend to be Combat veterans then don't get offended when an actual combat veteran calls out a poser in front of all his friends. Idiots like that deserve public shaming.

Agreed. Have an exault from another wounded veteran.

 Ghazkuul wrote:
[Since you don't seem to find it offensive for people to pretend to be Combat veterans then don't get offended when an actual combat veteran calls out a poser in front of all his friends.

I don't. The same amendment that protects someone's right to dress up in a uniform that they didn't earn protects the rights of others to call them out. In fact, I think it's the best medicine, within reason... I've seen a few that go a little too far with essentially stalking them, and then shoving them (which crosses the line into assault).

But just calling them out is totally, totally appropriate.

 Ghazkuul wrote:

Since you don't seem to find it offensive for people to pretend to be Combat veterans then don't get offended when an actual combat veteran calls out a poser in front of all his friends. Idiots like that deserve public shaming.

As a real conscript, in a country where you actually defend your own country, instead of blowing up arabs and their fragile states, I dont really see why professional contractors should get to strut around harassing people. What separates them from other hazardious salaried occupations? The uniform is not protected by law anymore in the US. If you get paid to go abroad and soldier around, when in reality you are a professional contractor who chose to go in return for money, I dont see why you get offended by your friends dying in uniform other people wear. People on the deadliest Catch on Discovery Channel have a dangerous profession too, and most important; it is voluntary. You might get upset others wear the uniform, but I dont see the issue.

I had the choice between service and prison, like all male conscripts. Was an easy one. If you sign up on your own accord, be it upon your own dumb ass. And dont come back and pretend there is some mythos to a uniform you wore for pay. McDonalds people gets shot and stabbed too at work, but you dont see them complaining if someone highjacks an apron. My dumb ass friends who went to Afghanistan, when it had turned into a hotspot for the peacekeepers, can blame themselves. I did my duty, because it really was a duty, but never bought into these rectruiters crap. If you get a paycheck, stop talking about having done a service; its a job you chose to do.

Wearing uniforms to impress people might be silly and unethical, but its not illegal, and calling them out on it and posting it on youtube is just as silly. Also, half of the people who wear uniforms to impress, are usually mentally slowed or struggling otherwise. You even get results such as real veterans posted as fakers since their unit or salat wasnt recognized by these self importants.

Just my opinion.

 triplegrim wrote:

Wearing uniforms to impress people might be silly and unethical, but its not illegal, and calling them out on it and posting it on youtube is just as silly. Also, half of the people who wear uniforms to impress, are usually mentally slowed or struggling otherwise. You even get results such as real veterans posted as fakers since their unit or salat wasnt recognized by these self importants.

Wearing the uniform by itself isn't exactly illegal, however gaining something not normally available to a person while in that uniform IS illegal... I know it's been covered here ITT, but things like getting a discount at a store due to your "uniform" status is fraud.

 triplegrim wrote:

As a real conscript, in a country where you actually defend your own country, instead of blowing up arabs and their fragile states, ....

Just my opinion.

You do know your country (if your Norwegian flag is accurate) sent troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, and flew sorties in Libya, right?

When was the last time your army actually just defended Norway? WW2?

It's a little aside, but what do folks think about the whole "recycling uniform" craft trend?

I've seen a lot of bits and pieces surface recently about female military, wives and girlfriends using old uniforms to make purses and tote bags, using the features and names to decorate them.

I mean ignoring the fact they're of dubious aesthetic merit, how's that sit with you?

I'm honestly not sure, personally. I've seen the idea celebrated and lambasted alike.

 Buttery Commissar wrote:

I mean ignoring the fact they're of dubious aesthetic merit, how's that sit with you?

I'm honestly not sure, personally. I've seen the idea celebrated and lambasted alike.

I agree it's terrible looking. But it does help us identify the dreaded "Dependapotamus" around base. Usually these are the same women who refer to themselves by their husband's rank (which is BS, and doesn't apply to them)

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:
I agree it's terrible looking. But it does help us identify the dreaded "Dependapotamus" around base. Usually these are the same women who refer to themselves by their husband's rank (which is BS, and doesn't apply to them)

Explain to me like I have no idea what that is, because I don't, and it sounds hilarious/horrifying.

After chewing it a little, I think it would be a really sweet thing to do with a young child, to make something tangible and long-lasting. Hell, it could be a cushion or a book cover, or even a lined memory box.

The purses? I'm not entirely sure I know what to think.

 Buttery Commissar wrote:

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:
I agree it's terrible looking. But it does help us identify the dreaded "Dependapotamus" around base. Usually these are the same women who refer to themselves by their husband's rank (which is BS, and doesn't apply to them)

Explain to me like I have no idea what that is, because I don't, and it sounds hilarious/horrifying.

After chewing it a little, I think it would be a really sweet thing to do with a young child, to make something tangible and long-lasting. Hell, it could be a cushion or a book cover, or even a lined memory box.

The purses? I'm not entirely sure I know what to think.

"Dependapotamus" is a largely derogatory term that we (at least in the army) used to refer to the military spouses who were complete leaches off their husbands. Usually this manifested in her being rather... rotund, and as I said, usually claiming their husband's rank as their own (as in, Staff Sergeant Snuffy was married to Sheila, around the base commissary or BX/PX, she would talk down to, and berate the employees, saying "I'm Staff Sergeant Sheila" or some such)

Ohh, and usually she is so large, not because of pumping out 4-5 kids and never exercising, but rather because she's trying to eat the family out of house and home (as in, the husband looks rather skeletal, while she is Blue Ribbon quality at the county fair, speaking in terms of hogs and cows)


Though I do agree with you, there are some crafty things that can be done for the children using an old uniform, but the purses are both hideous and a near certain sign of the above term.

Good grief. That made me cringe internally reading it. Thanks for the explanation, though.

 Buttery Commissar wrote:
It's a little aside, but what do folks think about the whole "recycling uniform" craft trend?

I've seen a lot of bits and pieces surface recently about female military, wives and girlfriends using old uniforms to make purses and tote bags, using the features and names to decorate them.

I mean ignoring the fact they're of dubious aesthetic merit, how's that sit with you?

I'm honestly not sure, personally. I've seen the idea celebrated and lambasted alike.

They actually have kiosks inside the PX (seen them at Stewart and Bragg) that sell this stuff. I guess if the garrison commander and whomever else has to sign off on kiosk use thinks it is okay, it is okay by me. They look dumb, but if folks like them, so be it.

As for Dependapotamuses, I is one at this point (wife still active duty and I'm not). I joke around that when I go on post depending on how I want to be treated I:

If I want to be treated neutrally I show my Dependapotamus ID
If I want to be treated poorly I show my IRR ID
If I want to be treated like the dirtbag I am I show my Contractor ID

And heck, I've repurposed my old BDU pants and Boonie hat as "Do heavy nasty work outside" clothes.




And my tanker boots are making great motorcycle boots, and my jungle boots still get used as work boots now and then too (though a lot of what I use work boots for lately, I tend to want a steel toe which the jungle boots don't have).

Here in Canada it's agiest the law to pretend to be a member of the military. Their was a large deal when someone got interviewed on a program for remembrance day who was pretending to be a veteran.


http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/fake-war-veterans-at-ceremonies-prompt-new-safeguards-from-ottawa-1.3174599

 CptJake wrote:


As for Dependapotamuses, I is one at this point (wife still active duty and I'm not). I joke around that when I go on post depending on how I want to be treated I:

I also am one... Though I do everything humanly possible to NEVER go on base.... There's also the tragedy that every time I have gone on base, something "bad" happens to my vehicle (last time I went, a logging truck heading the opposite direction kicked up a rock that put a pretty nasty sized crack in my windscreen)

 triplegrim wrote:

 Ghazkuul wrote:

Since you don't seem to find it offensive for people to pretend to be Combat veterans then don't get offended when an actual combat veteran calls out a poser in front of all his friends. Idiots like that deserve public shaming.

As a real conscript, in a country where you actually defend your own country, instead of blowing up arabs and their fragile states, I dont really see why professional contractors should get to strut around harassing people. What separates them from other hazardious salaried occupations? The uniform is not protected by law anymore in the US. If you get paid to go abroad and soldier around, when in reality you are a professional contractor who chose to go in return for money, I dont see why you get offended by your friends dying in uniform other people wear. People on the deadliest Catch on Discovery Channel have a dangerous profession too, and most important; it is voluntary. You might get upset others wear the uniform, but I dont see the issue.

I had the choice between service and prison, like all male conscripts. Was an easy one. If you sign up on your own accord, be it upon your own dumb ass. And dont come back and pretend there is some mythos to a uniform you wore for pay. McDonalds people gets shot and stabbed too at work, but you dont see them complaining if someone highjacks an apron. My dumb ass friends who went to Afghanistan, when it had turned into a hotspot for the peacekeepers, can blame themselves. I did my duty, because it really was a duty, but never bought into these rectruiters crap. If you get a paycheck, stop talking about having done a service; its a job you chose to do.

Wearing uniforms to impress people might be silly and unethical, but its not illegal, and calling them out on it and posting it on youtube is just as silly. Also, half of the people who wear uniforms to impress, are usually mentally slowed or struggling otherwise. You even get results such as real veterans posted as fakers since their unit or salat wasnt recognized by these self importants.

Just my opinion.

Pardon me for not caring what you say, you know since im talking about the US, and also since your from norway and talking about the military.....

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

 Buttery Commissar wrote:

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:
I agree it's terrible looking. But it does help us identify the dreaded "Dependapotamus" around base. Usually these are the same women who refer to themselves by their husband's rank (which is BS, and doesn't apply to them)

Explain to me like I have no idea what that is, because I don't, and it sounds hilarious/horrifying.

After chewing it a little, I think it would be a really sweet thing to do with a young child, to make something tangible and long-lasting. Hell, it could be a cushion or a book cover, or even a lined memory box.

The purses? I'm not entirely sure I know what to think.

"Dependapotamus" is a largely derogatory term that we (at least in the army) used to refer to the military spouses who were complete leaches off their husbands. Usually this manifested in her being rather... rotund, and as I said, usually claiming their husband's rank as their own (as in, Staff Sergeant Snuffy was married to Sheila, around the base commissary or BX/PX, she would talk down to, and berate the employees, saying "I'm Staff Sergeant Sheila" or some such)

Ohh, and usually she is so large, not because of pumping out 4-5 kids and never exercising, but rather because she's trying to eat the family out of house and home (as in, the husband looks rather skeletal, while she is Blue Ribbon quality at the county fair, speaking in terms of hogs and cows)


Though I do agree with you, there are some crafty things that can be done for the children using an old uniform, but the purses are both hideous and a near certain sign of the above term.

"My Husband is a second lieutenant! You better salute me!" *Foaming at the mouth*

Edit: Looked for hours for this.

Having run into a few of those types....its not funny. I actually had my wifes friend tell us she couldn't be friends with us anymore because she married an officer and therefore we couldn't fraternize. Different services, different MOS's, Completely different parts of the country......yeah needless to say I hate those types of military spouses.

Side note: I am a dependapotamus now to I got out in 2014 and my wife is making a career out of it.

 Ghazkuul wrote:
Having run into a few of those types....its not funny. I actually had my wifes friend tell us she couldn't be friends with us anymore because she married an officer and therefore we couldn't fraternize. Different services, different MOS's, Completely different parts of the country......yeah needless to say I hate those types of military spouses.

Side note: I am a dependapotamus now to I got out in 2014 and my wife is making a career out of it.

Truly, as of this time I don't have much of a right to comment on the issues in the military. I'm in the middle of trying to get back in, and if my waiver goes through well, I'll have a dependent myself.

So it's all in jest. I am unsure if it's been mentioned yet but, one thing that bothers me is actually when Poolee's tout they are military when they have not even shipped for recruit training yet.

 Stormwall wrote:

 Ghazkuul wrote:
Having run into a few of those types....its not funny. I actually had my wifes friend tell us she couldn't be friends with us anymore because she married an officer and therefore we couldn't fraternize. Different services, different MOS's, Completely different parts of the country......yeah needless to say I hate those types of military spouses.

Side note: I am a dependapotamus now to I got out in 2014 and my wife is making a career out of it.

Truly, as of this time I don't have much of a right to comment on the issues in the military. I'm in the middle of trying to get back in, and if my waiver goes through well, I'll have a dependent myself.

So it's all in jest. I am unsure if it's been mentioned yet but, one thing that bothers me is actually when Poolee's tout they are military when they have not even shipped for recruit training yet.

I got to Feth with poolees when I went home on leave after Afghanistan....yeah it was fun. hazing is not allowed though, remember