Air Force Faker at Lowe's, HWY 151 and Loop 410

[Odiferous]

Yesterday, I had an "interaction" with either:

1 - That absolute worst Airman in Air Force history, or
2 - A complete douchebag pretending to be in the military.

So I'm wandering the store during my lunch break, and this dude in what appears to be an Air Force uniform walks by me. I'm a retired Army First Sergeant, spent most of my career in joint assignments, and currently work with about 50% military in a joint environment. I normally stay away from making corrections, etc., unless something is egregious/embarassing, and am "cool" when on the extremely rare occasions that I do it.

This is what was wrong with the dude:

- He had a good haircut, and was mostly clean-shaven, except for about 1/8" of chin beard - at his age it wasn't growth after shaving that morning.
- He was wearing Air Force "dress blues" - the jacket had Senior Airman/E-4 stripes, and nothing else - no collar insignia, no nametag, no ribbons, and it was unbottoned.
- He wasn't wearing a necktie.

I asked him if he was in the Air Force, and he said that he was. So I asked him if he was supposed to be walking around "looking like that." His answer - "Like what?"

Ok, dude...can I see your ID card?

"Oh, it's in the car with 'all of my stuff."

From there it deteriorated...he was answering my questions with "Whatever, dude" and "I don't care what you think, dude."

I'm no giant myself, but I could have snapped this skinny turd like a twig...so I asked him to step outside where we could discuss this further in private.

Once I realized that it was becoming pointless, I straight out told him that I thought he either a complete disgrace to the uniform or a faker, and his response again was "I don't care what you think, dude."

I only retired four years agao...and I know that "things have changed." But there's no way in hell a REAL Airman would've acted the way he did.

From there I disengaged and went to see the manager and pointed the guy out, telling him my initial two assumptions (above).

The manager said that if the kid didn't produce a valid military ID there's no was he'd get a military discount, but that that was about all he could do - fair enough, so I left.

What do y'all think?

Mike

 

[Flyingswords]

I wouldve snapped a couple of pics of that nitwit before I wouldve said anything to him. Then send copies to the local paper(s) and post it on the net

 

[Sapper740]

Definitely either a faker or a complete lack of respect for his element's uniform....I'm going with the former.

Lowe's official policy is to give a 10% discount to anyone asking for a military discount without their having to show I.D. if the purchase is $100.00 or less. Above $100.00, I.D. is required.

 

[London]

Follow to car. Get plates. Get authorization from my handlers to do private disappearance work.

Seriously, I would have waited for the guy in the parking lot and looked fr DOD tags on the windshield. If they were there I'd have demanded to see his id. If he refused to show write the plates down and make some phone calls. His vehicle will of course be registeres on base.

The good news is this guy has one of two futures: Getting his ass beat for impersonating a real man, or getting kicked out of the military (as a Shirt I'm sure you've seen a hundred guys similar this and what happens to them). I highly, HIGHLY doubt this guy is military, unless some perfect storm of bullshittery has occured.

Maybe taking pictures an posting them to a stolen valor website would have worked? Those guys are super-hardcore at finding out people's identities and letting the world know what fakes they are.

 

[Odiferous]

Unfortunately I had forgotten my phone that morning, so pictures and/or video were out of the question.

 

[Younggun]

I pretty much agree with London's assessment except for the part about demanding an ID. Asking, sure. But demanding is pointless since none of us have any authority to do so.

Probably fake and looking for a discount on a refrigerator or some other high end item.

 

[breakingcontact]

There are entire channels on YT dedicated to confronting and outing these clowns.

With how sloppy some military members are off base...thats the first discernment. But...thats usually more minor stuff like when I saw a sailor the other day in DC head into a convenience store without his cover, not something more major like having no name tapes or insignia or things in the wrong spots...especially on a dress uniform.

They fall into one of several groups:

People who never served but want the attention and respect.
People who did serve but got put out or didnt go far in their military career.
Mentally ill people.

To anyone who has served...you can usually tell pretty quickly which category you are dealing with. I feel sorry for the mentally ill and some of them may have genuinely served but suffered mental illness or traumatic brain injuries.

The posers and the dirt bag former E3 mechanic that wants to pose as a Ranger Captain with a silver star and purple heart...go get 'em!

There was some dude running a tactical training academy in the southwest claiming SF. He even got some fat contract to do security in Africa or the Middle East...then people started realizing he wasn't who he said he was. Thats on YT somewhere.

 

[Odiferous]

Yeah...this wasn't a case of a servicemember being sloppy or inattention to detail - everything about him was wrong - the uniform was completely wrong, and his demeanor was all wrong as well.

The last time I can remember saying something to a guy about his uniform must have been about a year ago...an Army Specialist/E-4was walking by me...rank on his patrol cap, but none on his blouse. So I said "Missing your rank there? - With a big smile, of course - his reply was "Aw, sh&t...thanks!"

 

[breakingcontact]

Yeah...this wasn't a case of a servicemember being sloppy or inattention to detail - everything about him was wrong - the uniform was completely wrong, and his demeanor was all wrong as well.

The last time I can remember saying something to a guy about his uniform must have been about a year ago...an Army Specialist/E-4was walking by me...rank on his patrol cap, but none on his blouse. So I said "Missing your rank there? - With a big smile, of course - his reply was "Aw, sh&t...thanks!"

That is the expected response. I watched a 1SG in his civilian clothes bawl out a soldier in a PX for wearing their cover indoors. There was no argument. Soldier removed headgear, took their chewing out.

Then all was right with the world.

 

[Willy]

My son is in the Air Force, as I was 15 years ago. They have optional uniform jackets that are more casual and I think they only have the stripes on the sleeve. We had sweaters that served this purpose 25 years ago. I didn't like them. The attitude and shaving back up your assumptions though.

 

[ROGER4314]

I completely agree with you that the guy was pulling a scam and there are laws to prevent disgracing the uniform like that. The uniform should not be worn in a sloppy manner, either

I would offer a word of caution, though. I've worn surplus clothing for 1/2 a century (especially field jackets). For instance, in match shooting and at the range, I wear electronic muffs and always wear a hat to keep the muffs from tangling in my hair. Ball caps have a "button" at the top and the muff strap keeps pushing down on that button. It's very uncomfortable so I began wearing military covers from the surplus store because they have no button. Some of the covers that I used had the anchor & globe insignia as does my cloth shooting coat.

I'm not military and I had a guy insist that I remove those insignias from my clothing. The discussion went downhill from there and didn't end on a cordial note.

The point is that some items may have the military insignia or have military roots and there's no deception in using or wearing them. Combining many items into a semblance of a real uniform is deceptive and shouldn't be allowed. Having an insignia screen printed on my surplus cover or field jacket is nobody's damned business!

Flash

 

[breakingcontact]

I completely agree with you that the guy was pulling a scam and there are laws to prevent disgracing the uniform like that. The uniform should not be worn in a sloppy manner, either

I would offer a word of caution, though. I've worn surplus clothing for 1/2 a century (especially field jackets). For instance, in match shooting and at the range, I wear electronic muffs and always wear a hat to keep the muffs from tangling in my hair. Ball caps have a "button" at the top and the muff strap keeps pushing down on that button. It's very uncomfortable so I began wearing military covers from the surplus store because they have no button. Some of the covers that I used had the anchor & globe insignia as does my cloth shooting coat.

I'm not military and I had a guy insist that I remove those insignias from my clothing. The discussion went downhill from there and didn't end on a cordial note.

The point is that some items may have the military insignia or have military roots and there's no deception in using or wearing them. Combining many items into a semblance of a real uniform is deceptive and shouldn't be allowed. Having an insignia screen printed on my surplus cover or field jacket is nobody's damned business!

Flash

Interesting point. As a kid I wore my dads old USMC field jacket. No rank or name tapes or EGA.

I see a skinny college girl wearing an old BUD jacket with sergeants rank sewed on...I know she isnt trying to claim military service.

Maybe it is appropriate to remove the rank though out of reverence?

 

[Odiferous]

My son is in the Air Force, as I was 15 years ago. They have optional uniform jackets that are more casual and I think they only have the stripes on the sleeve. We had sweaters that served this purpose 25 years ago. I didn't like them. The attitude and shaving back up your assumptions though.

Check with him when you get a chance, please - I think you're referring to either the sweater or windbreaker.

This dude was wearing what the Army would call "Class As." I asked an Air Force Master Sergeant/E-7 who told me that THAT jacket required, at a minimum, the collar insignia and nametag.

 

[Odiferous]

I completely agree with you that the guy was pulling a scam and there are laws to prevent disgracing the uniform like that. The uniform should not be worn in a sloppy manner, either

I would offer a word of caution, though. I've worn surplus clothing for 1/2 a century (especially field jackets). For instance, in match shooting and at the range, I wear electronic muffs and always wear a hat to keep the muffs from tangling in my hair. Ball caps have a "button" at the top and the muff strap keeps pushing down on that button. It's very uncomfortable so I began wearing military covers from the surplus store because they have no button. Some of the covers that I used had the anchor & globe insignia as does my cloth shooting coat.

I'm not military and I had a guy insist that I remove those insignias from my clothing. The discussion went downhill from there and didn't end on a cordial note.

The point is that some items may have the military insignia or have military roots and there's no deception in using or wearing them. Combining many items into a semblance of a real uniform is deceptive and shouldn't be allowed. Having an insignia screen printed on my surplus cover or field jacket is nobody's damned business!

Flash

The Guy was out of line - unless you're pretending to be in the service, you're not doing anything wrong.

 

[majormadmax]

Sounds like a poser, and if he was indeed trying to get a discount based on being in uniform, that is against the law. Unfortunately, simply "dressing up" as being in the military is not illegal unless it is done for monetary gain.

Just some additional thoughts...

First, if he was in the USAF equivalent to the Army "Class A" uniform, he should have collar brass, nametag and a tie as such...

Windbreakers and sweaters have rank insignia on them, but no nametags or other accoutrements. Ties are not required either unless in the Air Force District of Washington during certain times of the year.

As for the beard, there are people with shaving waivers but if that were the case, he should not shave any part of his face. If he was partially shaved, it is incorrect.

Based on the other evidence present, I doubt he was military. That said, if some civilian asking me for my military ID I would not have shown it to them either. You don't know who they are, they could be a terrorist wanting to see what a CAC looks like so they can fake one to get on base. When I was still in the military and confronting someone while I was in civilian attire, I would present my ID card first when demanding to see theirs (as an officer I have the right to see theirs).

It is not illegal to wear any military clothing, rank or insignia. The Stolen Valor Act of 2005 was ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2012 under United States v. Alvarez. That court ruled it was an abridgment of the freedom of speech under the First Amendment.

It takes some balls or pure stupidity to try a stunt like that in a military town such as San Antonio. While technically not illegal unless he was trying for a discount, chances are good he would be confronted by an actual military member. But as we all know, there is no shortage of stupidity in this world!

Cheers! M2

 

[Odiferous]

If he had pulled this out I'd have been impressed:

 

[SA_Steve]

Were you carrying when you confronted the guy ? This is a gun forum after all...

 

[Odiferous]

Were you carrying when you confronted the guy ? This is a gun forum after all...

No - I can't carry on base so I wasn't carrying while on my lunch break.

HAD I been carrying, I would have been much less confrontational.

 

[Ole Cowboy]

10 USC 771 AND 772 AUTHORIZED AN UNAUTHORIZED WEARING OF MILITARY UNIFORMS.
June 20, 2012 at 11:40am
THIS IS NOT THE STOLEN VALOR ACT, BUT A UNITED STATES CODE THAT APPLIES TO U.S. MILITARY UNIFORMS

10 USC § 771 - Unauthorized wearing prohibited


771- Except as otherwise provided by law, no person except a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, as the case may be, may wear—
(1) the uniform, or a distinctive part of the uniform, of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps; or
(2) a uniform any part of which is similar to a distinctive part of the uniform of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps.


10 USC § 771a - Disposition on discharge

a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), when an enlisted member of an armed force is discharged, the exterior articles of uniform in his possession that were issued to him, other than those that he may wear from the place of discharge to his home under section 772 (d) of this title, shall be retained for military use.
(b) When an enlisted member of an armed force is discharged for bad conduct, undesirability, unsuitability, inaptitude, or otherwise than honorably—
(1) the exterior articles of uniform in his possession shall be retained for military use;
(2) under such regulations as the Secretary concerned prescribes, a suit of civilian clothing and an overcoat when necessary, both to cost not more than $30, may be issued to him; and
(3) if he would be otherwise without funds to meet his immediate needs, he may be paid an amount, fixed by the Secretary concerned, of not more than $25.
(c) When an enlisted member of the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard who has been called into Federal service is released from that service, the exterior articles of uniform in his possession shall be accounted for as property issued to the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, as the case may be, of the State or territory, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia of whose Army National Guard or Air National Guard he is a member, as prescribed in section 708 of title 32.

10 USC § 772 - When wearing by persons not on active duty authorized
(a) A member of the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard may wear the uniform prescribed for the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, as the case may be.
(b) A member of the Naval Militia may wear the uniform prescribed for the Naval Militia.
(c) A retired officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps may bear the title and wear the uniform of his retired grade.
(d) A person who is discharged honorably or under honorable conditions from the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps may wear his uniform while going from the place of discharge to his home, within three months after his discharge.
(e) A person not on active duty who served honorably in time of war in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps may bear the title, and, when authorized by regulations prescribed by the President, wear the uniform, of the highest grade held by him during that war.
(f) While portraying a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, an actor in a theatrical or motion-picture production may wear the uniform of that armed force if the portrayal does not tend to discredit that armed force.
(g) An officer or resident of a veterans’ home administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs may wear such uniform as the Secretary of the military department concerned may prescribe.
(h) While attending a course of military instruction conducted by the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, a civilian may wear the uniform prescribed by that armed force if the wear of such uniform is specifically authorized under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the military department concerned.
(i) Under such regulations as the Secretary of the Air Force may prescribe, a citizen of a foreign country who graduates from an Air Force school may wear the appropriate aviation badges of the Air Force.
(j) A person in any of the following categories may wear the uniform prescribed for that category:
(1) Members of the Boy Scouts of America.
(2) Members of any other organization designated by the Secretary of a military department.

 

[TXAZ]

It's the new "Obola Dude" class of recruits.