As you scroll through Facebook, chances are you will eventually see a video of someone dressed in military attire, being called out for not having actually served. This is called stolen valor, and it is a big deal among veterans. Manitowoc County Veteran Service Officer Todd Brehmer explains that in the veteran community, there is a huge sense of pride in what they have accomplished. When someone is faking, “Most veterans can recognize that something is wrong” Brehmer explained. A lot of veterans then take that as an insult.
While most notoriety gets directed at the civilians claiming to be a veteran, there have also been instances within the military as well. It is a well-known practice within the military to not take credit for something you didn’t do. Brehmer said that “You don’t wear medals you didn’t earn. You don’t wear badges and patches that aren’t authorized. When I was in the Army we called them PX Rangers.” These “PX Rangers” would go to the Post Exchange (the shopping installation on the base) and would buy patches and tabs, and wear them home on leave, in an attempt to be looked at in a better light by their friends and families. If and when they were caught by their superior officers, they would be reprimanded.
Brehmer spoke about how to address someone you believe is attempting to get unearned recognition. He told us that he has seen a lot of those stolen valor videos, where the perpetrator is publicly shamed, and he believes that is not the right way to go about it. “Who’s the jerk if you go try to call somebody out on it, and you’re wrong? You are the jerk. I think you can tactfully, carefully approach the situation.”
Brehmer says that he has run into a situation that appeared to be stolen valor a couple of times. He said that he approached the individual, thanked them for their service, and then began asking them questions, that only someone with legitimate prior service would be able to answer. For example, he would ask “Who were you with?” or “Where were you stationed?” If the answer to those questions didn’t line up with the badges being worn, or where the unit mentioned is stationed, he would know something wasn’t right.
There are also several laws in place which attempt to deter people from attempting to portray themselves as veterans. President George W. Bush signed the Stolen Valor Act into law in 2005, which broadened the provisions of previous U.S. law addressing the unauthorized wear, manufacture, or sale of any military decorations and medals. President Barrack Obama updated the act in 2013, making it a federal crime to fraudulently claim to be a recipient of certain military decorations or medals in order to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefits.
