Nothing, NOTHING is worse than this fat bastard in a youtube video I saw a while back of said fat bastard dressing up in blues or some kind of dress and all kinds of medals, cooking up stories, then while getting ready, talking about how he liked to take advantage of gullible people post 9/11 and talked about all the expensive food and drink he got other people to buy for him with stories. Not only stolen valor, but a con man. And he got away with it. I can't help but think the Supreme Court had to see this video during the hearing. I do think, however, he was outed by some crafty folks on the net and had to move.
I got issued a couple of medals, my 3 year service ribbon and rank that never made it into my file. I got pinned the damn medal by the Bde. CSM in front of my commander, along with two certificates and a big ass trophy and a coin! But the command changed, I was working at the SDM school up to the end after that, and I never showed up at the unit anymore, so I guess they thought I was out or in another unit or something, I don't know. I was "attached" to another unit. Anyway, nothing ever got done, so when I got out, I didn't get all my shit. I tried to correct it, but it couldn't be done ETS date vs. army time to unfuck a paperwork problem; even had the school chief call and he couldn't get anything done.
But I don't run around wearing my uniform or anything. And I sure as hell am not going back to active duty. I can't! I did volunteer to be an SDM instructor when they asked for civilians at Ft. Benning, back when I thought I could still do it (bad back) and me, one of the original SDM instructors, couldn't get called back. Go figure. All I have are stories of the past. I just have to deal with that. I have more bad back days now than good it seems. I got to do a few cool things other folks didn't get to, had fun, hell, that was worth more than any damn rank or medal. Working at that school with who I did, real heroes at that time already, getting to know the SF gunsmith, messing around in that shop, all that shit was cool and none of it is on any record.
But no shit, I've been accused of lying and some kind of bullshit "stolen valor" claim at another website I won't mention, but a popular, civil, civilian shooting forum. It pissed me off so I left. They claimed I either wasn't infantry, an SDM or an SDM instructor. I forget what exactly. And that I couldn't have done all the stuff I said I did, dressed the way I said I did (we wore black shirts with our logo on it) etc. They wanted DD214's, proof of the school and other shit, all regarding things I had mentioned in posts there in order to stay. I sent them a redacted 214 and my SDM certificate and something else, oh, my infantry school cert. dated just after 9/11 (he didn't like my "where were you on 9/11" story). I didn't like being called a liar, but I should have told them to fuck off then. Then they wanted more, and I did tell 'em to fuck off. I'm done proving shit to other people now. I may send in a redacted 214 for a discount or whatever, or show my ID for something, but that's about it regarding service unless the VA needs something.
