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Man arrested for posing as decorated marine

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As a former enlisted Marine I also take offense on how he made a mockery to the uniform and all those that have served. Just like some has mentioned it would be a good idea to throw his ass in boot camp and make all the DI's in charge of him know about it. That will teach him the real lesson he deserves.
 
Trurl said:
Sure, pick on the little guy while nobody gave a shit about Colonel Sanders. This is an outrage!
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Colonel Sanders was given the honorary title of "Kentucky Colonel" in 1935 by the Governor of Kentucky at the time, Ruby Laffoon.
 
XiaNaphryz said:
Burton was arrested with the help of Colleen Salonga, a former high school classmate who is an actual Navy commander, authorities said. Salonga saw Burton at their 20th high school reunion in October 2008 at the Concord Hilton. He wore the uniform of a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps, displaying the Navy Cross, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and other medals, federal prosecutors said. Suspicious, Salonga asked Burton to have his picture taken with her. She turned over the photo to the FBI, authorities said
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What a bitch.

Clearly this guy has serious issues with his self-esteem, and people like her are probably the cause.

The correct course of action would be pulling him aside, in private, calling him out on it, and telling him to stop. Not calling the fucking FBI.

Yes, hes being disrespectful...but hes not hurting anyone.
 
Drkirby said:
Colonel Sanders was given the honorary title of "Kentucky Colonel" in 1935 by the Governor of Kentucky at the time, Ruby Laffoon.
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Eh, it still seems ridiculous for the government to do anything in a case of nothing but harmless douchebaggery.
 
jamesinclair said:
The correct course of action would be pulling him aside, in private, calling him out on it, and telling him to stop. Not calling the fucking FBI.
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Yeah, how about no? Fuck that loser. If he was embarrassed about his life maybe he should have not gone to his class reunion instead of lying about what he's accomplished in life.
 
Baby Milo said:
hah that lady is a bitch
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Yeah, because some lady who lived their entire adult life in the military really shouldn't be offended when someone who has risked nothing for their country wears the uniform of those who sacrificed their freedom and lives to keep others safe, especially when it's more than likely he was using the uniform to play the hero card in order to score some tail.
 
jamesinclair said:
What a bitch.

Clearly this guy has serious issues with his self-esteem, and people like her are probably the cause.

The correct course of action would be pulling him aside, in private, calling him out on it, and telling him to stop. Not calling the fucking FBI.

Yes, hes being disrespectful...but hes not hurting anyone.
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She is an Navel Commander, she had to report this by federal you you do realize, it was beyond her station to simply pull him aside. If it was later reported that she did not turn him in, it could be her career in Jeopardy
 
Drkirby said:
So, can anyone identify some of the medal he is wearing and what he should of done to get them?
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The Navy Cross was probably what really did him in and caught the suspicion of the Navy Commander. That article mentions only 7,000 having been awarded. That # sounds high to me, but if true, I'd wager the vast majority were from WW1-2 and Korea/Vietnam. It's basically right below the medal of honor. I'd be shocked if there are more than 30-40 people in the entire active duty Navy/Marine Corps with a legit Navy Cross on their uniform.

It's rare enough and quite an honor to be decorated for heroism with the basic bronze star, they give a silver star if you did something really exceptionally heroic. Many of the silver stars I've read about for Iraq/Afghanistan service were awarded posthumously. This award is even higher than a silver star.

The Navy Cross may be awarded to any person who, while serving with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguishes himself in action by extraordinary heroism not justifying an award of the Medal of Honor.

The action must take place under one of three circumstances: while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

To earn a Navy Cross the act to be commended must be performed in the presence of great danger or at great personal risk and must be performed in such a manner as to render the individual highly conspicuous among others of equal grade, rate, experience, or position of responsibility. An accumulation of minor acts of heroism does not justify an award of the Navy Cross.
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This guy's uniform was so over the top, even a real Marine 0-5 would doubtfully have so many high level awards. Looks like he's got a legion of merit, navy marine corp medal, a couple bronze stars, purple heart, 4-5 commedations, and a half dozen NAMs to boot !

Well yeah it's super rare. I just looked it up and this website claims only 25 Navy Crosses have been awarded since around 1990. That's about one per year. http://www.homeofheroes.com/navycross/index.html
 
Death Dealer said:
The Navy Cross was probably what really did him in and caught the suspicion of the Navy Commander. That article mentions only 7,000 having been awarded. That # sounds high to me, but if true, I'd wager the vast majority were from WW1-2 and Korea/Vietnam. It's basically right below the medal of honor. I'd be shocked if there are more than 30-40 people in the entire active duty Navy/Marine Corps with a legit Navy Cross on their uniform.

It's rare enough and quite an honor to be decorated for heroism with the basic bronze star, they give a silver star if you did something really exceptionally heroic. Many of the silver stars I've read about for Iraq/Afghanistan service were awarded posthumously. This award is even higher than a silver star.
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Agreed, it's the highest medal the Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard can award, and most were awarded in the time frame you listed, a good chunk of them posthumously.
 
Well I combined my combat trousers back in the days with my regular clothes...

Almost got thrown in to the jail.
 
First thing I thought of when I saw the photo.

Beaker.jpg
 
Guy just wanted to seem like he'd become something to his former friends. It's sad, and no way was it malicious or meant to de-honor anyone.. ridiculous to make an arrest because of a poor guy trying to gloss over a life wasted.
 
Number 2 said:
As far as im concerned this is just as serious as impersonating a federal agent.
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More or less this. Maybe I'd be lenient with his sentencing since the impersonation was only for the sake of impressing people and not a more malicious motive, but people posing as any form of law enforcement officer or military personnel should definitely not be tolerated.
 
Really a small fine and forcing him to go to a course on what the Military does in conflict and the requirements of earning such prestigious and honorable medals should be enough. This way he learns to respect veterans and also learns not to parade himself in something people have risked their lives for.

But a years worth in jail time for this? I disagree, there was no harm intended - while some people got offended it isn't really irreversible and could easily be done with an apology.
 
Dan said:
More or less this. Maybe I'd be lenient with his sentencing since the impersonation was only for the sake of impressing people and not a more malicious motive, but people posing as any form of law enforcement officer or military personnel should definitely not be tolerated.
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i agree. If it were up to me i would go with the lighter sentencing as well.. the lowest (or no) amount of jailtime but the largest possible fine.

edit: imo jailtime for these kinds of crimes should be if the people involved used their stolen status to swindle or harass people. If this guy did this to get charity money or something then jailtime is in order. This guy is a chinless loser who did this to impress his old friends with tales of stolen heroics.
 
This is always a risky con. So many people are in the military.

He should have gone dressed as Jesus. The only way he would have been busted is if one of his classmates became a priest. Or is God.
 
Dan said:
More or less this. Maybe I'd be lenient with his sentencing since the impersonation was only for the sake of impressing people and not a more malicious motive, but people posing as any form of law enforcement officer or military personnel should definitely not be tolerated.
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I would disagree with punishing him for this reason, but your argument is one that I respect. A lot of people seem to want to punish him because he somehow insulted the honor of the military, which seems wrong to me in several ways:
1)Even though he offended some people, it wasn't his intention. Isn't imitation the sincerest form of flattery anyway?
2)If somebody actually wanted to insult the military by destroying mock versions of those military they should be allowed to do it.
3) There are other lines of work with just as much honor as the military. He wouldn't be in this trouble if he claimed to be a brain surgeon who works out of impoverished countries for little pay.
 
Way overblown IMO. Obviously this is just a sad sack of a man who wanted to have his day in the sun. If you ask me, the fact that he's sad enough to try and pull something this crazy off is arguably all the punishment one needs. Fine him, sure, have the judge rip him a new one in court, asolutely, but jail's a wee bit extreme.
 
How about a compromise - he serves a short sentence in a military prison, where it's surely not as crowded as the regular ones.
 
Trurl said:
I would disagree with punishing him for this reason, but your argument is one that I respect. A lot of people seem to want to punish him because he somehow insulted the honor of the military, which seems wrong to me in several ways:

3) There are other lines of work with just as much honor as the military. He wouldn't be in this trouble if he claimed to be a brain surgeon who works out of impoverished countries for little pay.
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..or a member of the Peace Corps, Americorps etc. I am obviously not discounting service as I think all Americans should spend part of their life doing some form of service. The perceived self importance of those who protect imperialistic pursuits of the rich is ridiculous. As jamesinclair stated, the guy has some serious esteem problems, which I am guessing others have as well (getting so worked up about a guy playing soldier).
 
ConfusingJazz said:
Dude has more the Commandant of the Marine Corp!

2qm2dzb.jpg
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In general you'd probably see more medals on an enlisted. Not saying an officer couldn't get alot of medals b/c one of the most decorated marines is an officer. This guys is a douche and its sad that someone would pose as a master gunnery sergeant... I mean if you talked to an ex-marine anywhere they'd probably ask that guy alot of questions.
 
I would've been fine with it if he just wanted to cover up the fact that he hasn't accomplished anything. Go and claim you're a doctor, or a teacher, or any other job in the private sector.

Claiming you put your life on the line for your country goes pretty far beyond that IMO. People that really do serve in the military, as well as their families who have to constantly worry about them, deserve more respect than to be treated as if the uniform is all that makes the soldier.
 
Pudding Tame said:
Yeah, because some lady who lived their entire adult life in the military really shouldn't be offended when someone who has risked nothing for their country wears the uniform of those who sacrificed their freedom and lives to keep others safe, especially when it's more than likely he was using the uniform to play the hero card in order to score some tail.
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..
 
XCell9200 said:
I would've been fine with it if he just wanted to cover up the fact that he hasn't accomplished anything. Go and claim you're a doctor, or a teacher, or any other job in the private sector.

Claiming you put your life on the line for your country goes pretty far beyond that IMO. People that really do serve in the military, as well as their families who have to constantly worry about them, deserve more respect than to be treated as if the uniform is all that makes the soldier.
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You have no problem if he impersonates other professions, though?
 
:lol @ the losers actually criticizing the woman officer for taking the effort to investigate this.

That's like criticizing an off-duty police officer for investigating or reporting a crime.
 
schick85 said:
What's wrong with working in a bank? It seems more manly than going around posing as a fake.
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Banks put us in the recession you inconsiderate person you. *scoff*[/superlogic!]

But seriously, wear a suit and say you do stocks. Read up on some past minor stock sales and claim credit. You're doing well, everybody elses raises a glass to you and you move on. Keep it simple.
 
I'm in the camp that wonders why it's a crime to pretend you're in the military, but not a crime to pretend you're a brain surgeon, or peace corps member, or what-have-you.

If the person is not actually trying to use the authority of the station and just trying to impress people, there's no harm. If you're actually in the military and outraged by this, why are you getting so worked up over a sad loser who has so low self-esteem as to try to pretend to be like you? He deserves more pity than anything.
 
elitehebrew said:
In general you'd probably see more medals on an enlisted. Not saying an officer couldn't get alot of medals b/c one of the most decorated marines is an officer. This guys is a douche and its sad that someone would pose as a master gunnery sergeant... I mean if you talked to an ex-marine anywhere they'd probably ask that guy alot of questions.
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They give ribbons and medals for everything now. Look at pictures of Generals and Admirals from the first half of last century and they have only a few.
 
DrForester said:
They give ribbons and medals for everything now. Look at pictures of Generals and Admirals from the first half of last century and they have only a few.
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Those guys were slackers. They had two world wars to earn medals.
 
throw him in basic, make him give an apology to the entire corp, and fine his ass. Thats some low shit for him to pull. Even his uniform looks bad in that pic.
 
DrForester said:
They give ribbons and medals for everything now. Look at pictures of Generals and Admirals from the first half of last century and they have only a few.
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You don't know that per say. B/c you technically only have to wear the top 3 medals/ribbons on uniform. And since those old times they have made tons of new ribbons. There wasn't and iraq or afghanistan service medals back then...or even sea service or over seas. There is alot of newer medals/awards.
 
DrForester said:
They give ribbons and medals for everything now. Look at pictures of Generals and Admirals from the first half of last century and they have only a few.
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They didn't know bout' grinding for perks back in the day
 
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