i have some questions for Vets and people who know about Stolen Valor

[Whiffen]

We can start this off by saying i miss you all at the 506th, But i have a serious topic to talk about, I have recently had an acquaintance tell me in (false) confidence that he receives some form of financial benefit claiming to be a veteran for his community college. While he was in basic training for the Navy, he never actually completed it, and received an ELS for failure to adapt. Is this legal to receive financial benefits or aid in any form with and ELS and claim veteran status?  If not how would I go about reporting him?

I just think it sucks to hear this guy talking about gaming a system for something he hasn't earned with a smile on his face, and I want to do something about it. I hope this guy is just a pathological liar and not actually committing fraud.

[R. Lee]

It is possible to be scamming the system.  If they didn't dig enough to know his true length of time in service. I might be wrong but I believe he had to serve at least 180 days of active duty.  You can ask him about boot camp and find out what the swimming test is.... dungarees over the head to fill with air for a flotation device.  Hope I helped some.

[SPC A. Hawkins]

Let me preface this by first saying that I am not a veteran.

"The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 was signed by President Barack Obama on June 3, 2013. The Act makes it a federal crime to fraudulently claim to be a recipient of certain military decorations or medals in order to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit." As long as the court system sees veteran status as a decoration, he would be in violation of this particular federal law. In addition to that, it's just straight up fraud. If I put down that I have 18 kids and I don't, that's illegal. He is subscribing to benefits that aren't his. Your acquaintance, to have received an ELS as opposed to a discharge, wasn't present in the military long enough to qualify for benefits. Reporting federal crimes is easiest going through the FBI's reporting system.

[K. Santos]

If you spend 90 days on active duty status you are considered a Veteran, not sure if nation wide or on a state by state basis. Which applies to state aid and other benefits. Now, when I was going to school full time on the post 9-11 GI Bill I was given a monthly stipend for housing while attending a brick and mortar school (as opposed to, like, University of Phoenix Online or something) of around $1,300 a month. Now I had to show my LES (pay stub) and DD-214 showing my years of service and all that stuff. But if he was given out process papers for failure to adapt and given a general discharge (which I believe turns into an honorable discharge after X number of months), he could, in theory, get veterans benefits...



To be eligible for veterans’ tuition benefits at any college or university, a veteran must:

Honorably discharged or released from under honorable conditions from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces. National Guard members, activated under Title 10 of the United States Code, are also included;

Have served at least 90 days or more cumulative days active duty in time of war (see Periods of Service) except if separated from service earlier because of a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs rated service-connected disability; or the war, campaign or operation lasted less than 90 days and service was for the duration;

[Whiffen]

I appreciate everyone's replies and comments, thank you so much, and i will be filing some reports regarding this situation, even if he turns out to be a liar i'd rather just make sure then not. but i really do appreciate this, thank you SPC R. Lee, PFC A. Hawkins, 1LT Santos.

Shoes Tight Aim High- Whiffen