Is Impersonating a Military Member Illegal?
Impersonating a military member is a crime in many countries, both legally and morally. Lying about one’s occupation, rank, or identification with the military can compromise trust, put people at risk, and undermine public faith in the armed services.
What is considered Impersonating a Military Member?
Impersonating a military member does not necessarily mean wearing camouflage and pretending to be active duty. It can come in many forms, both offline and online. Here are a few examples:
Direct Impersonation
Lying about one’s affiliation with the military while trying to gain access or get special treatment.
Concealing True Situation: Hiding one’s current military status or trying to make it seem you’re still serving when leaving service.
Misused Identities: Using uniform items, rank insignias, or military-owed identities without authorization.
The punishments for impersonating military personnel vary by country:
Legal Background of Impersonating a Military Member
United States –
- Title 18, Section 706 of the United States Code: Prohibiting and punishing the wearing with an intent to deceive for medals, badges, bars, lapel buttons for national service, or badges made or procured pursuant to laws of the USA and the laws of several foreign governments.
- Mischief and fraud is typically considered a misdemeanor-level crime, punishable by an imposed fine or up to:
- 1 day or 1 year:
- In the instance when the individual is committing, or attempting to obtain unauthorized benefits or privileges at their expense.
– 1day: - Else
OR FINE OF $A DAY OR FINE LEVEL ($A TO $$$$ PER DAY) OR EITHER
- In the instance when the individual is committing, or attempting to obtain unauthorized benefits or privileges at their expense.
- 1 day or 1 year:
United States Legal Background (continued 16)
- Courts:
- 50 (US) 22 – Military Justice Statues: Military Commissions: Stat** 22 (1993)
- Art. 104 – Improper influence and impersonatng
- Any offense against the United of authority of the United; under this chapter
;, and
Examples in the News
– In 201, Air Force Staff Sergeant Anthony Jackson was charged with
with 2nd counts with the wearing of decorations the
; he took without permission
Military honors were awarded to relatives’ of his own.
– In 201A woman was charged with federal with wearing an Air Officer cadet uniform and insignias at a ceremony honor Air Force cadets: ‘she had no any knowledge of the Air Education military personnel and had seen.
Punitive actions
Military Uniform Code (**** )
Impersonation and wearing US and military uniform items outside appropriate military settings.
Penalized under Article for violating Uniform Code of justice Statute( )
1: Impersonatoed
Military Uniform code in violation
Stat
1–0: *1 to**
6/6
• For
100
Other Countries Background
*U
1.: Prohibiting and or penalties for the wearing. Or procuring medalsmade
Wearing or procprocured medals, pins made
Impersonating a law
Proces Impersonating**
- 1
– Uniforms, insignificance:- 500,
1
- 500,
A Table of Illegal Forms of Impersonation by Country
| Country | Legal Form of I. M. | Pnemonic Actions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Sates | I.A. Uniform Code* Art. 104 | In U.S. and I.A. Uniform Inappropriately | ||
| United State | I.A.R.c 18 I I. I. , 1A A | Fined/10/0 | ||
| European country | I.* M. | Unr. Code*.2 1 & R 1 | ( U.S. ( L ) | W,,,, P.S. |
| European co.. | I.* D.R. 27 S 1 18A 1 D., | Fined |
References:
- ‘ ‘ United. S U**. "L. F " http://www. //,,.,
As the above examples illustrated that impersonating a military member is unacceptable conduct, it is advisable to always verify service through official channels and documents as the primary source; instead of relying on fake representations.
