@bluecoconuts - so does it make you angry when these guys pose? Does it just make you sad for them? No feeling at all? I wonder if it maybe makes many of us who never served more pissed than you guys who went through it all. My cousin keeps re-upping (term?). He doesn't really talk about his service over there much except that his unit (just a few guys - so don't know if that is actually considered a unit) I guess goes out and hunts out insurgents and IEDs and always has a local (interpreter) with him (can never show the local's face in pictures). It's been a year or so since I heard from him last so I don't know if he is still over there in some capacity.
But I remember him purposely going over and sitting next to a guy in uniform once when we went to lunch. He never said a word to the guy and I found it really odd that the guy didn't say a word to him either but looked real uncomfortable. Afterward, he told me he knew the guy was a phony and just wanted him to sweat a bit. He just said it with a smirk. Funny thing was that I was obviously more pissed than he was. Maybe he's just used to it or something.
Anyway, here's a shot of he and his guys taken back in '11 - he's front right. Thought you might get a kick out of it. Notice the black square in front of his interpreters face.
It depends on what they're doing. If its a guy with a really fucked up uniform I may say something, because it makes us all look like dog shit, other people who aren't in don't know, and just assume this POS is one of us. Sometimes I do something similar as your cousin, just make them sweat without making a scene.
However if they are trying to get stuff, money, etc then I'll call them out.
I've called two people out somewhat violently. One guy was a former solider, I'm not sure what he was, but I know he wasn't combat arms even though he claimed it. It was in a class and he would spend all day telling war stories that sounded like scenes from a movie. Finally he slipped with a technical error and I stood up, threw a hockey puck at him (don't ask why I had one) and went off. After class he apologized, and he never showed up again. That was just because after weeks of his bullshit at 7AM I was sick of it.
Other time was someone in mulicam uniform about 2 years back, had on my old unit patches so I took notice. However he was out at the store asking for money to head back home, said he was fresh from Afghanistan and was holding a PH, saying he was wounded in action, giving a big sob story. Now first the Army gets you home, so that was dumb, plus Rangers don't wear their combat uniform out and about, I've never seen it. I lingered for a while to confirm or deny, finally I was able to place him via a friend, said he went to high school with his younger brother, graduated about 3 months prior. So right as some old WWII vet was donating money I walked over took the money, handed it back to the old gentleman, and then hit the guy in the face. Ripped off the patches, and took the PH, and really laid into him. Damn near made the guy cry and stormed off.
Everyone was pretty shocked I guess, my friend informed them I served in the unit he was claiming to be in.
Honestly though, I don't like doing that, making a big scene and all. If someone is just being a tool, I may let him know, if he's trying to get stuff then I'll stop it.
In terms of my boss, I just feel bad. Otherwise I just kind of shake my head.
It used to really piss me off, but now its usually not even worth it.
If your cousin is an IED hunter (sapper maybe?) Then he's a damn brave man, those guys get blown up regularly by enemies you almost never see. Love me some clearance guys. Next time you talk to him, even though he probably never cleared any routes I went on, give him my thanks. Without IED hunters, it's damn hard to do anything. Those guys work a lot and don't get near the appreciation they deserve. I get what he means about not really talking much, other than basic stuff, I usually keep my stories to myself and a very select group of people. Its not something people need to know.
Wow.
Its just crazy. It never really occurred to me that this is something people do. I do believe that about 3 or 4 fakes for every real guy as it is such an exclusive group. My "wishing" to serve (in hindsight) has more to do with wishing I had the experience. I had NO illusions about being anything more than a run of the mill grunt or truck driver....I knew I did not have the fortitude to go for anything beyond that.
Alas, at 19, the opportunity to both run a business and tour around with a rock band won out. Those were good, albeit, very different experiences. Life choices.
I just cannot imagine someone faking this regardless of the reason. So bizarre to me.
Knowing vets in my family that have seen action and one ex co worker who was some sort of advance intel guy (sorry, don't know outfit) they were never about bragging or telling crazy stories. Party stories maybe. Around guys they served with it may have been different but they were never cocky or braggarts about it. When guys start going on about their great or heroic exploits it always raises a flag with me.
I never heard my grandfather talk about his war experience at all. One day when he was in his late 80s he went to a trunk in his bedroom closet and took out a few keepsakes from the European theatre. Told me a few stories....the stories themselves he sort of rushed through but mostly he talked about the guys he served with in France....mostly long passed away or guys he hadn't spoken to in decades. But, he spoke of those guys with such true affection and warmth. That sort of connection is what most guys that have not served perceive as something they are missing....but, there is a price to pay for it.
Anyway, sort of lost my train of thought....
I just wanted to have fun, be a grunt and enjoy it. I went Rangers because it sounded like fun (little did I know), and once you get there they send you to more schools. It was a blast though. Party or funny deployment stories are where it's at though, I love telling those. Or when a few guys and I went to Amsterdam for R&R.... That's what I mean, its about the memories you form with your brothers. What we do on the battlefield stays close to home, it annoys my girlfriend sometimes, but she understands.
