Topic: Things Get Heated When Two Vets Confront Man Wearing Military Clothing

[Pandora]

... the footage appears to capture Army Veteran Kristopher Vieira and an ex-Army Ranger confront an unidentified individual allegedly strutting Ranger, E.O.D. and 101st Airborne tabs — all while wearing an E-8 rank.

... someone asks for the veterans to leave the man in military clothing alone, asking why he is bothering them.  “Because I am a United States f***in’ Ranger and this guy is not,” the man wearing the dark shirt passionately answers. “I had four brothers who died with this goddamn tat on their arms. And he’s wearing it and he never earned that motherf***er. That’s why.”

[IronDioPriest]

I wonder what the guy's point was, in wearing attire that his rank and experience had not earned? It hardly seems like doing so on a college campus would be the place for him to expect veneration for military service.

[AlanS]

I wonder what the guy's point was, in wearing attire that his rank and experience had not earned? It hardly seems like doing so on a college campus would be the place for him to expect veneration for military service.

He wants to be something he's not. He wanted to get it (and the respect it commands) without earning it. Even if it was a college campus full of YUPPY larvae.

[Libertas]

I don't blame them one bit, and having a mix of stuff just made it flash in neon light "I am a fraud".  It would have been different had he maybe just wore a cap or cap & t-shirt that was pro-military in honor of a friend or relative, but no, he had to pretend to be many things he was not.  He's lucky he didn't get his ass kicked.  If he had a SEAL trident on and a SEAL saw that he'd be in the hospital.

[OldSailor]

I don't blame them one bit, and having a mix of stuff just made it flash in neon light "I am a fraud".  It would have been different had he maybe just wore a cap or cap & t-shirt that was pro-military in honor of a friend or relative, but no, he had to pretend to be many things he was not.  He's lucky he didn't get his ass kicked.  If he had a SEAL trident on and a SEAL saw that he'd be in the hospital.

Yup.  Norfolk and Virginia Beach are SEAL Central for the East Coast with at least 2 teams and DEVGRU (SEAL 6) operating out of Little Creek NAB and Dam Neck.  You don't see many phony SEALs around here, especially around reunion time.   

[IronDioPriest]

I read somewhere a day or two ago that the fella who was wearing the uniform is actually a bit mentally/physically challenged. Apparently his life's goal has been to be accepted into the Army, and he has failed several times. A local recruiter has befriended him, encouraging him, and told him where to buy the uniform as a way to lift his spirits after failing again.

The poor guy idolizes the military, and he thought he was paying respect. He's playing dress-up in a naive, childlike way, not knowing that it caused offense. Apparently he is distraught over having been confronted. He says that all he wants is to be a soldier, and that if he could pass the exams, he would pack up and leave for basic in a heartbeat.

I'm not sure where I read it. I'll try to dig it up. Sometimes perspective is all.

[Libertas]

If true, then somebody for God's sake should get him straightened out as to what is acceptable tribute attire so he can avoid future confrontations.  Will be interested to know if this is the true skinny or not.

[IronDioPriest]

Here ya go.

http://www.news10.net/story/news/local/community/2014/03/21/civilian-explains-why-he-donned-military-uniform/6683771/

[Libertas]

Thanks.  Now my ire is directed at this recruiter, what the heck did he tell this poor fella?  I would think with his issues and inability to get a GED or pass the ASVAB he knew this guy was never going to be accepted.  And where is this guys "military" family, did they approve his attire?  This recruiter and this guys family shuld have known better.

[IronDioPriest]

Thanks.  Now my ire is directed at this recruiter, what the heck did he tell this poor fella?  I would think with his issues and inability to get a GED or pass the ASVAB he knew this guy was never going to be accepted.  And where is this guys "military" family, did they approve his attire?  This recruiter and this guys family shuld have known better.

It seems that way. Honestly, until this thread, I was unfamiliar with the protocol. I wouldn't have known for sure if the guy was out of line, although my gut tells me that donning the uniform unearned would be a no-no. People in the loop should have known better.

I just hate to think that now the poor guy's aspirations and dreams have probably been crushed even further into the ground. Not only does he now know that he'll probably never serve, but he pissed off the very people he idolizes.

I'm a sap. I feel super bad for the guy.

[Libertas]

Thanks.  Now my ire is directed at this recruiter, what the heck did he tell this poor fella?  I would think with his issues and inability to get a GED or pass the ASVAB he knew this guy was never going to be accepted.  And where is this guys "military" family, did they approve his attire?  This recruiter and this guys family shuld have known better.

It seems that way. Honestly, until this thread, I was unfamiliar with the protocol. I wouldn't have known for sure if the guy was out of line, although my gut tells me that donning the uniform unearned would be a no-no. People in the loop should have known better.

I just hate to think that now the poor guy's aspirations and dreams have probably been crushed even further into the ground. Not only does he now know that he'll probably never serve, but he pissed off the very people he idolizes.

I'm a sap. I feel super bad for the guy.

Yeah, it is too bad, poor kid was not given good advice.  If he had donned commercial hunting cammo and then a non-standard pro-military ballcap (there are tons of those out there, as well as supportive patches, t-shirts, key fobs etc) all would have been well.