I am just wondering about the laws of military impersonation, there is someone I think may have not been in the military, they tell everyone that they are but they have never claimed any benefits (monetary or otherwise besides telling people that they were) or claimed that they were in the military on any documentation at all (that I know of, can't prove it either way). Also they have never worn a uniform, all the laws I have found pertain to wearing medals & uniforms, the only thing they have done is tell everyone that they were. The only crime that may pertain to this is they may have told a police officer that they were, however at the time the officer was either off duty or they were not being questioned by the police in any official manner, I am just wondering if this person may or may not be breaking the law in South Carolina?

Hello csc:

Nope. There's no law against lying.

excon

Yes, there are laws about impersonating a military officer, but in this case, I don't think it applies. You say that the person does not wear a uniform. Next time this person starts up, why not counter him with a series of questions about his service. Dates, branch of service, area of operations, skills, etc.

I used to run into guys do did that - it was fairly common after the pull out of soldiers out of Vietnam. After doing the math and a few direct questions, they soon shut up about their alter ego life.

Unless there is an attempt to commit fraud, people can lie.

How could it be? It is only a tall tale if he wasn't in the military. It would be like me telling folks I use to fly the space shuttle, or dive for pearls off the coast of Africa. It would just be a lie, and no law is being broken, unless he tells it under oath in court. If he put on a uniform or had a fake military I.D. and tried to get access to military secrets it would be then, but just claiming to heve been in once upon a time is nothing. I also wonder what difference it makes, if he isn't hurting anyone by this lie?

I've just scanned through the responses, and they can't get in trouble for saying that they are in the military. This is roughly the same as lying to a woman to get her in bed. No law against immorality.

However, if this person shows up wearing a uniform with patches, name tags, etc. saying they are in the military, then this is punishable by federal law. It is impersonating a military military officer. They may even be able to be punished under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.