Posted on 11/15/2016 11:13:31 AM PST by Brad from Tennessee
. . .Ernest Walker -who goes by the social media moniker of Ernest Blackbatman- was questioned by a Dallas,TX, Chili’s manager on the authenticity both his military service as well as his service dog.
According to Walker’s post on Facebook, Walker was “approached by an old white guy, maybe in his 70s, with a Trump Shirt” who asked if Walker had been in the 24th Infantry Division, presumably because Walker was wearing the digital ACU uniform with the 25th ID patch on his sleeve. . .
Walker then said that the elderly man “said he was in Germany, and that they did not let Blacks serve over there. . .
According to Walker, “Wesley Patrick, comes from the same area in the back. . .and (sic) rudly informs me that a guest said that I was not a real soldier because I had my hat on indoors.” When Walker presented his DD-214, the manager apologized and asked about the service dog.
. . .At this point, Walker began filming the incident, berating the manager in a loud and abrasive manner for questioning the service dog. . .
. . .Upon leaving the Chili’s, Walker reportedly wasted no time in connecting with the media. . .
. . .While Walker is a veteran, the uniform in his initial basic training graduation photo places his initial service somewhere in the early to mid-1980s, likely well beyond the timeframe where wearing full ACUs in 2016 -long after he had left the service- would have been inappropriate, even in veteran circles. In addition, the lack of insignia, wearing a cover indoors and sporting colorized patches on the ACUs would come as a red flag to civilians and veterans alike, particularly when the “stolen valor”-outing movement appears to have reached fever pitch. . .
(Excerpt) Read more at popularmilitary.com ...
Partial uniform items like fatigue shirts even devoid of rank and squadron patches, were banned from on base facilities. Off base partial uniform items were forbidden period. One exception was footwear.
I find it hard to believe now, that any branch of the military would allow, much less encourage, wearing uniform items out of context.
Considering anyone can buy anything online my first thought when I see someone in public wearing a uniform is grooming standards. The guy in this story wouldn't pass that test.
The next thing I look for is patches and awards and decorations. Anyone in a combat uniform wearing medals (particularly miniatures) is almost a dead give away as a poser. Usually, they also have four or five rows too, all in the wrong order.
The final consideration is age. A young or old person wearing they wrong type of uniform also screams poser.
When I was in I had a hard enough time keeping up with the changes with AR 670-1 and local uniform standards then putting them out to my guys.
Was deployed 6 months and the day I got back I asked the Bn CSM if anything had changed while we were gone. “Nothing. By the way you guys have to go to the range and qualify in the morning”. Next morning our team is walking to the trucks and the CSM sticks his head out the window chewing me out because we were in the wrong uniform. It had changed while we were gone.
So in a case like the OP, if I have to I’ll quietly ask a few questions. And anybody from the US Military who had served in Europe would know blacks have been serving with whites since the 1940’s.
On Vet’s day most places will ask for some kind of proof.
If you don’t have a retired ID or VA card the DD 214 is the next best thing.
I saw punks here in the Nashville AO wearing fake outfits like an Air Force Veterans left shoulder patch on a dark blue police looking uniform shirt as he drove to a restaurant. He had quite a mouth. Not a one had a Veterans ID (VA ID).
This guy was a Warrant Officer according to the SF guy with me. He had the same basic decorations as my dad and my dad was a Secretary in WW2. Nothing elaborate but it was just weird.
The closest other thing to a uniform there was a Vietnam Vets cap.
My FIL “lost” his uniform after WW2 under the impression that you couldn’t get sent back overseas if you didn’t have a uniform. Big mistake.
A few veterans suffer from mental disorders. Some were that way before they served. We should have compassion for them, particularly if the cost is just a hamburger. Even if they are Democrats or jerks.
Don’t let them drive the narrative. Just give them their burgers and don’t give them a platform to make trouble.
Stolen valor is important, but let’s not worry about someone who claims he is Napoleon. We all know he isn’t.
I’m in a military town, so the retired ID or VA cards are pretty much given. Just didn’t know about the DD-214. Just sounded to me like he might have come prepared to rumble.
To receive a free meal on Veterans day, participating restaurants require you show an active or retired military ID, Veterans Administration ID or a copy of the DD214.
I think I can still wear my baggy jungle fatigues — barely.
My garrison cap still fits if I get a haircut.
Yeah, I think the part about the Trump supporter hassling him was fabricated.
People have been known to use fraudulent DD214 (discharge certificate) forms or old ones they’ve stolen from a military personnel office in order to get assistance from the Veterans Administration.
Those declared totally disabled from post-traumatic stress disorder, for example, can receive nearly $2,000 a month, tax-free, and are eligible for Social Security and other benefits as well.
No way was that the same uniform he wore while in the military.
This is about staging an incident for publicity in which a “Trump supporter” is the “racist villain.” The alleged victim “wasted no time in connecting with the media” and the result was a national story.
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