stolen valor
- Thread starter cm1179
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I have had a few “thanks for your service” moments and to be honest they just make me feel awkward, I know the Job I agreed to do and get paid for doing it.
I also do think that people should be punished for “stolen valour”
The people who wear there honours and decorations do so with pride in the knowledge they earned them not just picked one up on eBay, it kind of devalues the whole system.
I also do think that people should be punished for “stolen valour”
The people who wear there honours and decorations do so with pride in the knowledge they earned them not just picked one up on eBay, it kind of devalues the whole system.
I bet you weren't even in uniform you've just got one of those faces that attracts strange old men
Soldato
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From experience of an ex-member of SBS in my family, they don't talk about it much if at all. So I'd probably say, not.
Soldato
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I think the whole thing is weird.
I don't understand why anyone would want to pretend they served when they didn't in most cases. I only really understand the homeless stuff probably earns more cash when wearing a uniform but when it comes down to trying to impress people and stuff, i can imagine the only people that it really makes a difference to, are the ones who are willing to pretend themselves.
As far as punishment goes, i see it as a victim-less crime and that the punishment should be being publicly exposed but unfortunately this results in other nut jobs going round and targeting these people with physical violence.
I don't understand why anyone would want to pretend they served when they didn't in most cases. I only really understand the homeless stuff probably earns more cash when wearing a uniform but when it comes down to trying to impress people and stuff, i can imagine the only people that it really makes a difference to, are the ones who are willing to pretend themselves.
As far as punishment goes, i see it as a victim-less crime and that the punishment should be being publicly exposed but unfortunately this results in other nut jobs going round and targeting these people with physical violence.
Yeah everyone's Dad knew that bloke down the pub who had done covert ops in Belfast or was ex SAS. Usually just fantasists who either hype up their short stint in the army or just plebs who want to try and carve an identity that makes them seem less of a looser.
Soldato
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Same in many other countries. It also applies to distinctive unit insignia, just as with the Police and so on.
Not a tighter?
I think it's pathetic on both sides, and I think America's military culture is quite unhealthy.
I find it downright disturbing. The US fetishizes their armed forces. I was on a plane where the pilot announced they had several members of the armed forces aboard the flight and asked for a round of applause for them (and got it). Even people who were downright vehement against Bush for the invasion of Iraq will rush to point out that they think the soldiers themselves are "heroes". They're essentially mercenaries for American oil interests who have chosen to shoot people for a living. It's a long time since America has been domestically threatened with anything other than countries saying they'll stop using the dollar for oil trades. (The last two that did were Iraq and Libya, incidentally).
You cannot criticize the armed forces in the USA without people rushing to attack you for it or being horrified by it. It's an article of faith over there which I've encountered many times.
I watched some Buds131, this is an ex-Navy seal who finds and outs the valor stealers.
Very amusing, he also has full access to the databases to check on people. The amount of times he hears 'my record is classified' is amazing.
https://www.youtube.com/user/Buds131
Very amusing, he also has full access to the databases to check on people. The amount of times he hears 'my record is classified' is amazing.
https://www.youtube.com/user/Buds131
Soldato
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So what does that make the British Armed Forces, in your opinion?
Mercs get to choose who they fight for... and are usually well paid!
Would you rather they conscripted people and then demonised them, like they have previously?
Soldato
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TBH i can see the whole, fight for your country aspect, though i dont agree with it myself (i personally think you are fighting for whatever big wig has his turn to decide). I do however believe that joining the armed forces is glorified to an extent.
Whether it carries glory or whatever is up to the guy with the uniform but it is the way that the Army will be marketed as likely showing everything how it is makes anything shiny object dull to an extent.
As for conscription, i dont think there should be conscription and see no reason why it has to be conscripted + demonised or recruit and glorified.
Soldato
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You know Spencer as well then?
Soldato
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But how those who were forced off to war are treated when they return is what makes the difference. Will they return to a hero's welcome, or will they be treated like so many were after Vietnam?
As far as the British forces go, you choose the life and *if* you ever have to fight, you're mainly doing it for your mates. I'd certainly never fight for most of the people in this country!!
Isn't everything, though?
How else do companies attract employees?
"Come work for us, where people will try to kill you on a daily basis and everyone will treat you like a thug"?
Nah, it's always "Be the best" kinda stuff. To a certain extent, it's true and a lot of forces guys have quite enviable and admirable qualities. I've never been as fit, smart or disciplined as I was back then.
I was just comparing old attitudes to current.
Soldato
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Everything is glorified, you are right.
I just feel that Muricas glorification reaches unhealthy heights compared to many other countries.
Soldato
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They're just having their time, is all.
Many nations and empires have done something similar in times past. Look at how the Samurai were regarded and how they actually behaved, for example.
Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori, and all that...