Posted on 08/06/2024 8:19:09 PM PDT by Reno89519
Stolen Valor: Stolen valor refers to the act of falsely claiming military service, awards, or decorations to obtain benefits, recognition, or other advantages. This can include wearing military uniforms, medals, or insignias one is not entitled to. It is illegal under the Stolen Valor Act of 2013, which specifically targets fraudulent claims made with the intent to gain money, property, or other tangible benefits.
As many have found, I am consistently defensive of respecting fellow veterans for their honorable service, for them as veterans, regardless of role, whether in combat or not, or how long they served.
I am equally unforgiving of anyone guilty of stolen valor, whether by legal definition or by societal expectation.
So, here are two cases to consider: Representative Ronny Jackson (25-year veteran) and Governor Tim Walz (24-year veteran).
First, Representative Ronny Jackson attained the rank of Rear Admiral but was demoted to Captain upon retirement. Yet, he goes around referring to himself as an admiral. That, to me, is stolen valor.
Second, Governor Tim Walz attained the rank of Command Sergeant Major, then retired as Master Sergeant. Yet, he goes around referring to himself as a Command Sergeant Major. That, to me, again, is stolen valor.
That's rather simple. Stolen valor is stolen valor.
While the details for the lower retired rank are different, Jackson was demoted due to an Inspector General report and Walz did not complete the steps to make the rank permanent, the end fact is they are officially retired at a lower rank.
I think both are equally guilty of stolen valor. Do you agree or not? And if not, does the fact that one is Republican and the other a Democrat play into that? And would you admit if true? :)
From what I’ve read, his Sgt. Mj. Rank was rescinded after he failed to complete the requirements. If he can claim that rank, then pretty much anyone who attempted a position, but failed to complete the work, or was denied by his superiors, can claim the position.
Hellary won the election, and was President.
What were the circumstances of Captain Jackson being demoted from rear Admiral?
“There is a reason we do not refer to Colonel Custer as General Custer even though he held that rank for a bit.”
Because during the Civil War, Custer was a Major General in the U.S. Volunteers. After the war he received his commission into the U.S. Army as a Colonel.
I return to my original question with reference to your earlier statement:
Since 2022 has he ever referred to himself as an admiral?
Yes, as noted.
Please see post 12 by Political Junkie Too.
Ronny Jackson joined the Navy in the 1990’s, so he probably fell under the High-36 retirement plan.
(and I am not talking about the movie)
Yup, 23 years.
There is an extra twist to this story:
On May 16th, 2005 he quit, leaving the 1-125th Field Artillery Battalion and its Soldiers hanging; without its senior Non-Commissioned Officer, as the battalion prepared for war. His excuse to other leaders was that he needed to retire in order to run for congress. Which is false, according to a Department of Defense Directive, he could have run and requested permission from the Secretary of Defense before entering active duty; as many reservists have. If he had retired normally and respectfully, you would think he would have ensured his retirement documents were correctly filled out and signed, and that he would have ensured he was reduced to Master Sergeant for dropping out of the academy. Instead he waited for the paperwork to catch up to him. His official retirement document states, SOLDIER NOT AVAILABLE FOR SIGNATURE.Was Master Sergeant Wilz intentionally disrupting the paper flow in order to retain his conditional rank for a longer period of time?On September 10th, 2005 conditionally promoted Command Sergeant Major Walz was reduced to Master Sergeant. It took a while for the system to catch up to him as it was uncharted territory...
-PJ
Yes.
Its along the same lines like claiming you earned a purple heart but didn’t.
Its like claiming you fought somewhere but didn’t.
Its stealing, because others actually did what you claimed, but you actually didn’t.
Not stolen valor. Walz did obtain the rank of Command Sergeant Major. After he retired, he was reverted to Master Sergeant because he did not complete the college level CSM academy and staying in 2 years post-school completion. The highest rank he achieved was CSM. Saying so is not stolen valor.
However, if says he is a retired CSM then that is stolen valor because he is a retired Master Sergeant.
Also, it was smart to retire to avoid a 12+ month deployment to Iraq. He probably was on the way out anyway and was trying for the CSM promotion for a retirement pay boost. When his plan didn’t work out, he pulled the retirement rip-cord.
Further, he was a lifer-NG CSM in a FA Bn, trust me, he was not missed on the deployment.
Update: I just noticed a report of him implying that AR-15s are the same as the weapons of war that he carried. This is stolen valor because it implies he saw combat.
It does hint that there may be a lot of this type of loose lipped stolen valor from Walz out in the wild. Maybe the selection team didn’t notice that this stuff could be problem because they dont understand it
“And for two years he didn’t bother correcting anything or anyone.”
He DID change his congressional bio.
Prior true statement:
“As a retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral with nearly three decades of military service I understand the commitment and sacrifices made by servicemen and servicewomen to serve our country,”
Post (technically accurate but misleading):
“Dr. Jackson retired from the United States Navy as a Rear Admiral.”
“There is a reason we do not refer to Colonel Custer as General Custer even though he held that rank for a bit.”
I’ve read that the officers in the post-Civil War Regular Army referred to each other by their former ranks. All unofficial, of course, but they considered it a courtesy amongst themselves. I guess it was also part of being in the West point club. So, Custer was referred to as General.
“I can’t speak to the military, but it appears that his provisional rank was wholly within the confines of the Academy. “
If you are promoted you are promoted. No confines on the rank.
I can’t find more info on Walz or provisional promotions.
I now think what he received officially was a Temporary Promotion.
Here is the original story from 2018: Paid letter: The Truth About Tim Walz
-PJ
In the military there is operational rank, and there is permanent rank. One retires at his permanent rank.
Walz is a retired master sargeant.
It all doesn’t add up. Letter says he quit May 16. Retired May 16. Not present to sign retirement papers. Demoted in September.
Laying claim to something that you’re not in private life is bragging, and nobody really cares.
In public life it is theft, because you’re stealing the public trust.
In military life, it is an insult to the sacrifice made by others, some of whom gave their very lives for their countrymen.
As a veteran, I find dishonesty about military service repulsive in the extreme.
Perhaps I’m a little too sensitive about this, but I have childhood friends who perished in Viet Nam, and ancestors who fought in most wars this country has participated in going back to the American Revolution.
When I reflect on the terrible privations and suffering that members of the uniformed services have endured for our sakes, I am sickened and angered by any false claims.
I welcome the efforts of ALL who serve, in whatever capacity, in service to our Republic, for our safety and that of future generations.
In my own view, I believe that Stolen Valor, no matter to what degree, should be treated as a felony, and any offender removed from public office and banned from future political office.
Honest mistakes do happen, but I find honest mistakes to be a very rare thing in politics.
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