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? :)
The only thing I can think to compare him with is George Custer. He was a brevet General, but I think his permanent rank was Lt Col.
But I believe you can be referred to as your highest rank.
I am more concerned about his bailing out right before deployment. I had a friend in the Marines who was called back after retiring 9/1/2001. He had trained for two decades to be a warrior, and he considered it his “job” to go back.
But, I was never voting for this clown anyway…so it matters little what I think.
“Jackson retired in 2019 at the rank of Rear Admiral (Lower Half).
Jackson was investigated by the Navy in 2021 for misconduct, including:
Creating a hostile work environment
Excessive drinking on the job
Dispensing medication improperly
In 2022, Jackson was retroactively demoted to Captain (O-6).”
Does anyone notice that Jackson was Trump’s doctor and that the “charges” were brought about during the Biden admin> Hmmm?
Sometimes in the military when you receive a promotion it is contingent upon staying in the service a certain amount of time to retire at full rank.
You can be “frocked”. This involved taking an E-7 and making him the First Sergeant, wearing the rank, but still paid at grade; to be frocked one must be on the promotion list.
A brigade commander is a colonel/0-6; however, if they are sent to combat the grade can be changed for the duration of the operations, a Brigadier General, who then reverts back to colonel after it ends.
If he was actually promoted, and did not serve a requirment of time to make it permanent, then he retired at the lower grade.
It is not improper to say that he was a CSM; it is imporper if frocked to say he was an E-9.
Your situation may vary.
You were never in charge of enough people to be unfortunate to have one or several working for you (wink)
My thoughts? Yeah, you are still waddling around covering for the RINOs in the DC UniParty.
I guess that while you are doing so, you aren’t preying on children.
Sounds like stolen valor to me. I can’t say too much about it as I did not stay in & had no intention to retire anyway. I left behind nothing I could brag about except I kept my nose clean & so was discharged honorably. Some of my fellow “non-lifers” I would have discharged less than honorably had I been in a position of command.
“The non-resident course consists of two years of correspondence coursework, followed by a two-week resident phase at Fort Bliss, Texas.”
That makes more sense. He took the promotion but had other priorities. Not like he was in the regular army.
Ditto, I was frocked and it took 6 months to make it official.
To those who have so far joined the discussion with serious thought and commentary, A BIG THANK YOU. This is what FR is all about. For the others, that prefer insults and namec-alling, I’d ask why, but don’t want to invite more of your distraction in an otherwise informative thread. Maybe you’ll reflect upon what you missed while dissing your fellow Freepers.
Yet, he goes around referring to himself as a Command Sergeant Major.
Is that like a “Corporal-Captain”?
-PJ
Only when he hangs out at the Officer’s Club.
And orders Grape Nehi, without a straw.
Well, it isn't without precedent. After all, Custer's actual rank was Lieutenant Colonel but was always being referred to as "General".
I always understood that after a person retires, they revert back to the highest rank held.
My neighbor across the street was a Command Sergeant Major who transferred to the Air Force Reserves and because there was no slot for a Chief, he served as a Senior Master Sergeant. When he retired after 31 years of service, he reverted back to his E9 Command Sergeant Major rank.
This shouldn't be rocket science.
Most of us agree with you..I was USNR during Vietnam but never served in combat. I have never said that I did and someone who uses that to enhance himself is a chickensh*t.
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