Can I still Join the Army with False Claims on the web?

[Beenaroundabit]

Originally Posted by anonymousforareason

The story was actually written by someone else but before it was published I read and approved of it...It was a combination of my real back ground and a fabrication of service and awards. It was intended to get our company an award and was supposed to be only distributed locally however it was 'erroneously' turned public when it was placed on the internet. I had an opportunity to say it was too much but let the opportunity go because I was insured it wouldn't be a big deal. Yes I know 29 is pushing the limit but I have wanted this for such a long and I have more drive now than ever. I want to make this right and I know it will be hard but I want to earn this. I am all in for a lifestyle... if I wanted a paycheck I would look for a job. Instead, I want this... I just want to make sure this isn't going to stop me from completing it.

What bothers me here is what I see as an unwillingness to take responsibility.

Someone else wrote a story about you and painted you as both 1) a veteran and 2) a veteran who is decorated. If you allowed it to be published with falsifications that were that glaring, you're just as culpable as the writer. I don't buy it as simply a case of you "going along" with someone else to make your office or company look good. Inventing a record of military service for someone is a bit more than a simple embellishment.

No, this may not affect enlistment eligibility, but it's troubling nonetheless. And it speaks to other issues which may not have fully manifested themselves.

I am familiar with someone else who's done this - made up a story about military service. That person has more emotional issues than any single group of people should have.

I think you should seriously consider talking about this with a medical professional - not on the internet, on a web forum, and most definitely NOT on the self-licking ice cream cone of personal validation that is Facebook.

[Terryj]

Although I don't agree with your publishing of a false military career and decorations there is nothing that you did that is against the law and therefore no crime was committed, so there should be no reason for the military to deny you enlistment. Your story is just that, a story, and it is protected under the 1st amendment as free speech.

[SluggoF16]

While the first Stolen Valor Act of 2005 was deemed unconstitutional by the SCOTUS, the follow on Act of 2013 makes it a crime for a person to fraudulently claim having received any of a series of particular military decorations with the intention of obtaining money, property, or other tangible benefit from convincing someone that he or she rightfully did receive that award; it says nothing about claiming to have been in the military and done things that were never done. As long as no profit followed, it's legal. Ethical? Not in my opinion. And as I mentioned in a previous post, may come back to bite the OP square in the hindquarters when it comes time to have a background investigation for a clearance, especially if his MOS or AFSC or rate includes a Top Secret or SCI clearance.

[Pyramidsurf]

I doubt it will matter. I'm not even sure how anyone would find out. Just don't mention it.

[Cali BassMan]

What's big news in your little town means nothing to the rest of the world...
Go enlist in another town. And tell them you want to go right away, don't tell anyone in your little town about it..... Just disappear