Military Phonies & Wannabies...this will make you angry!

[Former Member]

I agree Shay...thanks for sharing the story. I hate to say it but I think there are twice as many SEAL imposters out there than there are real SEAL members. Other big favorites for these make believe misfits are Special Forces, Army Ranger, Delta Force, and Fighter Pilot. Then you have the countless spin-offs of Nam vet, POW, covert missions for the CIA, etc.

I've had numerous run-ins with people like the one you described. The first thing you do is start asking them questions...where were you stationed?...what was your MOS (military occupational specialty)?...what units did you serve with? When you get that "deer in the headlight look" or just some vague answers it's a safe bet that they're a fraud. Or at the very least they might've served as cook or pencil pusher instead of being an Army Ranger or Green Beret.

John

[RyanShort1]

I've got folder in my email inbox with some of the false claims of being Doolittle Raiders... What's sad is when someone writes in asking if I know more about their father, or uncle, or whatever, and how they were a Doolittle Raider and all that.

Every once in a while I kind of want to get out of the uniform, even when I'm with the aircraft, but I remind myself that it's not about me, but about teaching the history, and that it goes with the aircraft. I'm just the mannequin for the display. I don't claim to be a military pilot, I do talk about the history of the aircraft and the men who flew them, and when people ask about military service, I tell them straight up that I'm not in the military, but I am seeking to honor those veterans who flew the aircraft that we've preserved. I guess it's mostly about why and how you do it.

Ryan

[Former Member]

I've got folder in my email inbox with some of the false claims of being Doolittle Raiders... What's sad is when someone writes in asking if I know more about their father, or uncle, or whatever, and how they were a Doolittle Raider and all that.

It's happened more than once where an older gentleman has convinced his family and friends for years that he was a Medal of Honor winner from WWII. Sadly, the truth then comes out after the person has passed away that in fact he never did receive the award. I remember reading in one case where the family was told they had to replace the headstone stating he was a awarded the MOH.

John

[Waltz41]

I am a WWII reeanctor and every time I put on the uniform and gear, I always kind of stop and think for a second. I never claim to be anything I'm not, but part of me does struggle sometimes with wearing any piece of military uniform. As Ryan said, we are kind of like living mannequins, and are there to teach, educate and give a visual representation. It also really angers me when people do it half-@$$ed...like go to the lengths of having the right shirt, pants, belt, but then wear Timberland boots or something. Yes it does happen. While it's an expensive hobby, I think if you are going to do it, do it right. Take that gatorade or mountain dew can and put it in your canteen cup. I also see a lot of guys who, when wearing their dress uniform, will add things like the WWII victory medal, and other 'basic' (as they call them) pieces to their Class A's. A lot of guys don't have a problem with that, but I'll never have anything else on my jacket than my unit patch, ranking, and D.I's. I have not however, run into any reenactor that has tried to say he or she was something they weren't, kind of dificult for them to pull off, "Yeah, I was in on D-Day plus 4."

[rwdfresno]

It also really angers me when people do it half-@$$ed...like go to the lengths of having the right shirt, pants, belt, but then wear Timberland boots or something.

Funny how people differ. I was always annoyed with the people who would come up and complain about this or that inaccuracy about someones uniform. After I quit wearing rank insignias I would get every self anointed authority on military uniforms pointing it out. People complaining about the size of pockets on an A2 jacket or the color or softness of the leather. Don't even get me started on the "right" color of OD canvas debate. Anyways, different strokes for different folks I suppose.

[TimAPNY]

Sailors, You ever noticed you never meet anyone that was a Aviation Bostwain mate ? "Aviation Boatswain mate is the bottom of the barrel!" I think Every Aviation Anchor Clanker that failed out of A School never had the guts to admit they were an AB! I have meet a couple of hundred Seals though. So I tend to belive otherwise untill they can prove they were a seal.

I thought they all became AO (A$$ed out)

runs and hides before Jack reads this

Tim

[Bill Greenwood]

Guys might get a laugh out of this, although not aviaton, There was a guy I knew at U of Texas, Joe Ned Dean from a little town in the woods of E, Texas. He was smart as heck, top of law school; but not a whole lot of sophisticated polish (I think he liked being country). Anyway one days it comes on TV and front page in the papers that in his small town the local and only Docter has been arrested. Seems he had neglected to go to medical school, despite being a "Dr." ? for 14 years! He was a vetinerian! Jo Ned said he had treated him and his Dad over the years and seemed like a pretty good Doc, and he was sorry the town was now without any Doc. I guess the morale is back in the piney woods you don't need a Ferrari mechanic to work on a pickup truck.

[Former Member]

Guys might get a laugh out of this, although not aviaton, There was a guy I knew at U of Texas, Joe Ned Dean from a little town in the woods of E, Texas. He was smart as heck, top of law school; but not a whole lot of sophisticated polish (I think he liked being country). Anyway one days it comes on TV and front page in the papers that in his small town the local and only Docter has been arrested. Seems he had neglected to go to medical school, despite being a "Dr." ? for 14 years! He was a vetinerian! Jo Ned said he had treated him and his Dad over the years and seemed like a pretty good Doc, and he was sorry the town was now without any Doc. I guess the morale is back in the piney woods you don't need a Ferrari mechanic to work on a pickup truck.

Reminds me of that old show "The Beverly Hillbillies" where granny was always ready to do some good ol fashioned "doctorin."

John

[k5083]

I am a WWII reeanctor and every time I put on the uniform and gear, I always kind of stop and think for a second. I never claim to be anything I'm not, but part of me does struggle sometimes with wearing any piece of military uniform. As Ryan said, we are kind of like living mannequins, and are there to teach, educate and give a visual representation. It also really angers me when people do it half-@$$ed...like go to the lengths of having the right shirt, pants, belt, but then wear Timberland boots or something. Yes it does happen. While it's an expensive hobby, I think if you are going to do it, do it right. Take that gatorade or mountain dew can and put it in your canteen cup. I also see a lot of guys who, when wearing their dress uniform, will add things like the WWII victory medal, and other 'basic' (as they call them) pieces to their Class A's. A lot of guys don't have a problem with that, but I'll never have anything else on my jacket than my unit patch, ranking, and D.I's. I have not however, run into any reenactor that has tried to say he or she was something they weren't, kind of dificult for them to pull off, "Yeah, I was in on D-Day plus 4."

Do you also consider it inappropriate when reenactors are clearly the wrong age and physical condition for their "rank"? Just curious.

August

[tom d. friedman]

excellent question!! i've thought about that alot myself!! curious as to the replies............ i remember when i was going to re-enact, the group was pretty hardcore on the rules which i thought was great. i wear glasses, thus they wanted ww 2 period prescription frames, they wanted me to shave my goatee.... no way, but i respected their standard of authenticity, & that's how it should be. my brother is a civil war re-enactor & his group held the same standards.

[mustangdriver]

Anyone hear the story that took place years ago like in the 1960's I believe that a check airman for one of the major airlines at the time, was honored with an award at some banquet, they asked for his ticket and they were going to give him some sort of special one, and he had to come clean to not having a pilot's license! He said that no one had ever asked him. This was in an old magazine I was reading at the air museum. I think the magazine was an old sport aviation. The FAA ended up presenting him with a license.

[mustangdriver]

I have no problem with the people that are there to honor the vets.

[Tulio]

. . . but not a whole lot of sophisticated polish (I think he liked being country). I guess the morale is back in the piney woods you don't need a Ferrari mechanic to work on a pickup truck.

It is really funny to put down people who are not as sophisticated as we are, aint' it?

I guess that the "Ferrari" mechanics are reserved for those of the intellectual elite who can afford their services. Everyone else in the unwashed masses, must resign themselves to the services of "pick up truck" doctors.

Shame on you.

Tulio

[k5083]

Actually it was pretty funny. The elites are as fair game for ribbing in this country as the rustics, and we all get our share. Suggest you lighten up.

August

[Jack Cook]

thought they all became AO (A$$ed out)
runs and hides before Jack reads this

A-lways
O-utstanding

Here's a story for you.
A few years back in a southern WA town. The local
Viet Nam Veterans group invitied a Vietnamese man join
their organization. It seems that served in the Army during the
VN war and immigrated to the US sometime afterwards. As the
years went by he rose in stature and eventually became president of the their chapter.
Soon after a another Vietnamese man joined and discovered the the chapter president
had been in the NVA.
When asked why he did tell everyone he was the enemy, he simply said you never asked me
and the rules don't state no
enemy soldiers allowed and he added I am a Viet Nam Veteran. Needless to say the
by-laws were soon changed.

Last edited by Jack Cook on Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:15 am, edited 1 time in total.