ABSO-FRIGGIN-LUTELY!
Yes, you’re right. If a person lies about his military service, he probably lies about other matters as well.
If one were to hire a person who lied about his military service, for example, and if part of the hiring decision was based on the person’s military service, then you might end up hiring someone who likely will lie about other things, including: workplace thefts, treatment of co-workers, excuses for showing up to work late or missing work, about why a report or project is not being done on time, and so on, the list can go on.
The same is true elsewhere. A person (note, I do not say man) who lies about his military service to someone he marries may also lie about whether or not he cheats, has a mistress, is hiding money, is planning on using the relationship solely for financial gain, and again the list can go on.
This issue may not always seem like the most important one in the world, and probably isn’t to a lot of people sadly enough, but it is just one more example of how far our country has fallen morally and spiritually to the degree that people think that it is unimportant.
Not only should it be federal crime, but being found guilty should carry mandatory prison time for each award falsely claimed and the sentence for each award falsely claimed should run consecutively.
Falsely claiming military rank should add another separate stint in prison.
I’m afraid I disagree. I am a veteran who has been in combat. I think its reprehensible for someone to lie about being awarded medals, especially for profit. However, the public shame and ridicule they endure when they are outed and exposed is sufficient. There is no need to clog the already overburdened federal courts with cases involving fakers. Look at most of them: overweight buffoons who can barely fit into the uniforms they aren’t wearing correctly. They’re easy to spot. Their outlandish stories also make them easy to spot. These guys are sort of pathetic in their quest for attention, but shouldn’t be made criminals just because they tell tall tales.
If they defrauded people out of money, they can be prosecuted for fraud, theft, etc... It isn’t necessary to make the fakery a separate federal crime.