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 ...
God Bless him if he still fits in his original Uniform ...
We had this old Senior NCO. Raging Alcoholic. The guy would get all liquored up go to the PX and ‘award’ himself ANY Award or Decoration that suited his fancy that day.
‘PX Hero.’
*SNORT*
Well, if he left the service why is he in full uniform? He could do that with his proper former uniform and a discharge pin which is great for parades or veterans day but not with the wrong uniform and hat on indoors. Any veteran should know not to do that.
Snatching away the guy’s food was the biggest fail of the entire incident. It would only be thrown out anyway. It’s the kind of thing one should never do if there is even the slightest chance one could be wrong.
ditto - sounds like he served, manager was a jerk if he did that.
I am always suspiscious of anyone who claims they left the military then still thinks it’s OK too wear uniform items in public.
He wasn’t in “full uniform”, he was just wearing camo. Where I live it’s practically the uniform of the day, veteran or not. And as far as wearing a hat indoors, have you actually been out of your house lately? Good grief.
All my old uniforms have shrunk up. Must have been made by low bidder...
“While Walker is a veteran...”
That would be the beginning and end of the story.
Walker is a veteran.
OK, maybe I read it wrong then. I don’t think I care enough to read more on it.
I was at a restaurant was giving free meals on Veterans Day. A guy was dressed in full uniform even though he was clearly too old.
More power to him if he can get in it.
The Trump shirt story is a little suspicious.
He claimed it was not his uniform but fatigues he purchase from a surplus store. If so, I have no problem. A little upset at the person who questioned his service without speaking with him more.
Roger that. Even if the manager knew for sure he wasn't a veteran he should have just let it go. Not worth the potential hassles. But, it does sound like this patron was looking to provoke the response he got for the publicity. He's part of the BLM crowd. It was probably the 4th or 5th free meal he had gotten that day, just working for an outcome like this.
To stop the bloviating, here is the source:
_______________________
Army Veterans. Instructions are listed in paragraph 30-4 of Army Regulation 670-1.
Former members of the Army may wear the uniform if they served honorably during a declared or undeclared war, and if their most recent service was terminated under honorable conditions (that means an honorable or general discharge).
Personnel who qualify under these conditions will wear the Army uniform in the highest grade they held during such war service.
The uniform is authorized for wear only for the following ceremonial occasions, and when traveling to and from the ceremony or function. Uniforms for these occasions are restricted to service and dress uniforms; the BDU and physical fitness uniforms will not be worn.
(1) When attending military funerals, memorial services, weddings, inaugurals, and other occasions of ceremony.
(2) When attending parades on national or state holidays, or other patriotic parades or ceremonies in which any active or reserve United States military unit is taking part.
Former Soldiers who are discharged honorably or under honorable conditions from the Army (even if it’s not during wartime service) may wear their uniform while going from the place of discharge to their home of record, within three months after discharge.
Wear of the Army uniform at any other time, or for any other purpose than stated above, is prohibited.
_________________________
Note that the BDU/ACU is not authorized, only the SERVICE-aka Class A (formerly green, now Blue) and the dress uniforms, for veterans or retiree’s except if they are performing as ROTC instructors etc (again, per the previous paragraph of 670-1).
So, from the regs, the guy is wrong on a lot of counts, even if he is a bona fide veteran-
I wouldn’t even try to wear my old uniform. Reason being, I got several ribbons on the way out that I was too lazy to put on. At the time I knew where they went but I sure can’t remember now. I suppose I could do some research and figure it out but I just don’t care enough. They are gonna stay in the boxes they came in.
Ok something sounds fishy
.sound like his guy was trying to provoke something I’d really like to find out who went to the manager because I sincerely doubt it this white guy in a trump shirt... i have a feeling whoever went to the manager was a plant with this guy
Even though the guy a vet he wear things in a way that would technically what would cause a red flag with other vets
He goes around posting under a pseudonym “Ernest Blackman” and has a service dog named “Barack”
Help inform someone non-military (me), is it that common to carry your DD-214 form on you so long after your service is up?
Yep, too bad the manager took the bait. If the guy didn't get a rise on the veteran thing, he was probably prepared to gin up a controversy over the "Service dog" named Barack.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.