You’d think this would be cut and dry , but I’m not so sure.

I think we can all agree that someone saying they were in a certain campaign they weren’t in or were awarded things that they never were is wrong. That’s straight up fraud .

But if you watch YouTube stolen valor videos , and I recommend them as they can be pretty funny, many are being directed at people in uniform who are obviously not in any branch of service. Now I get it if someone is wearing the uniform and coming across as being in the service is again fraud . But there are a few where guys are being fronted out for simply wearing a uniform.

That’s where I think things get a little gray.

I mean , I’m not in anymore , but if you think I’m gonna buy cammies for hunting ; you’ve lost your mind. And I guarantee they won’t be worn in accordance to any reg . That being said , I also will not wear a uniform hunting ( or really anywhere ) that is still maintained in regulation. For example, I have one set of OCP’s that are hanging and still have the Gadsen , Stars and Stripes, and combat patch on it. It’ll never be worn again . And while I’ll wear my Navy Type III trousers hunting, I won’t the blouse because it still has my name tape , US Navy tape , MA and warfare rating badge on it .

Make sense ?

I wouldn't consider the actual fatigue's to be "stolen valor". However, if you have insignias, medals, rank, things of that nature showing or are pretending to be a veteran, it is stolen valor. I have seen a bunch of those videos also. I think sometimes they have been wrong. You can't accuse someone of stolen valor for just wearing cammo fatigue's. Now if you are wearing a dress uniform, things can get a bit more dicey I would think.

I've watched a lot of them too. Now if a person that has never served is wearing any type of uniform with the intention of getting gifts or even recognition of having served is Stolen Valor in my opinion. Makes me sick to see those frauds pulling that crap off.
One that stands out in my mind, was a guy at the mall shopping and getting a Military Discount and got called out by a true soldier, then the poser was acting like he was talking on the phone with a recruiter or some nonsense.

Agree 100%

I came across my fatigue jacket last year, haven't worn it since Oct 80. It still has all the insignia on it, you reckon I'd get accused of faking it just because it will no longer zip up in the stomach area? It must have shrunk while in storage.

I wear BDU pants about everyday they are darn comfortable I love the fit I never did like the tops they feel boxy to me don't like the fit. Any official patches that I come across get removed and never stay on the uniform if I keep them or not. In very cold weather I wear a woodland M65 field jacket with no patches on it.

Something "shifted" I doubt it was fabric.

It is sad that there are so many posers in this world that Stolen Valor is such a thing. When I was growing up almost all of us kids wore fatigue jackets from our Dads or Uncles with much pride. How cool it was to have an Air Cav badge on your sleeve and their last name still on the Jacket. The thought of pretending to be that person never entered our minds, just Pride.

I have found that my closet have a shrink button on it like the dryer!!!

My dress blues have gotten REALLY REALLY SMALL!!!! Definitely would not look good on this MARINE!!!

Before 1 deployment, a bunch of us guys were invited to talk with a special education class at a school near our duty station. We brought gifts to hand out including a couple hats with our unit logo. One kid was the most Gung Ho kid we had ever seen. He knew everything about our unit and wanted nothing more than to be one of us, sadly it wasn't in his future. We gave him a hat, a unit coin and some other "junk" and he was in heaven. About 5 months later,while on deployment, we got a message from the child's Mother who related a story of her son wearing his hat with pride in a store and being cornered and bullied by a couple of "Real Soldiers" for wearing the hat...our hat. His Mother diffused the situation but took a bunch of hooey from the guys before they left. We wanted to fly home and find them. Uncle Sam didn't see it that way. Couple guys tried to take leave, denied.

Some people take things to personal and too far. I don't know who they were but I'd like to think karma sorted them out. If you've been there and done that, you probably know that all the small things don't matter one bit.

I wore my dress greens one time when not on duty (I was home on leave walking to a close friends house at his request), I got horn honks and waves in my hometown and it was most uncomfortable and I have never worn any part of any uniform in public since leaving the Army. I see no need to wear any part of a current military uniform if you are not in the service.

I do understand wearing BDU pants for anyone who finds them comfortable (which they are very comfortable), I bought new BDU pants to wear in solid colors after I got out. Buying the current military camo patterns to wear out on the street makes no sense to me unless it is to try and fool others into thinking you served.

I don't see it very often around here, but in Fargo I see airmen around town in their utility uniforms. At restaurants, grocery shopping, generally bebopping around town. That bothers me more than someone wearing a piece of uniform. Stay on the base or change into a dress uniform if you're going to be out and about in society.

Wait, navy guys wear blouses? Sounds like you're saying it's a Hillary pant suit....

I also wear mil surplus pants very often. Inexpensive and very functional. I never wear any matching top thou, unless I am in the woods.

I didnt like wearing a dress uniform when I was active. When I got out I kept the boots, ribbons, badges, medals, and the BDUs. Gave my blues to a squared away youngster, and burned the rest.

When I was in, '67-71, we weren't allowed to wear green jeans off base unless traveling to/from off base housing or on official duty. Certainly NOT in an airport, Class "A's" only.

As far as I know it still that way in the Marines. Rarely ever see a Marine bebopping around town in cammies. Either a dress uniform or proper civilian attire.

I still wear my old camo fired jacket when it's chilly out. Never have thought to take 101 patch off or name tag. Now if your still active you should go by the regs. Still have my dress greens, but have been meaning to give them to the local VFW for funerals. I don't agree with non Vets dressing up to receive recognition.

What burns my butt Is when these punk rockers are wearing military clothing on stage.

When I was In the Corps I had a 29" waist. No way I could get Into any of my gear.LOL

Was that the Peace Corp ??