Ah, Black Friday: the unofficial holiday of bargain battles, long lines, and doorbuster chaos. But for the military community, this day has another distinction. It marks the 10-year anniversary of one of the most infamous—and hilarious—stolen valor incidents to ever hit the internet.
The setting? Oxford Valley Mall in Pennsylvania, on Black Friday 2014. Among the crowds of eager shoppers was a man wearing what he claimed was a U.S. Army dress uniform. But even a passing glance revealed a uniform so wrong it could’ve been a contestant on a “spot the error” game show. The highlight? An Army Ranger scroll patch on his arm, paired with unearned combat decorations and a general air of “this guy doesn’t belong here.”
Enter Staff Sergeant Ryan Berk, a real Army veteran who immediately knew something wasn’t right. Berk approached the man, camera in hand, and began asking questions that exposed the faker’s lack of military knowledge.
“What unit were you with?” Berk asked.
The impostor fumbled through his answer, naming a unit that didn’t match his uniform. Berk continued the grilling, pointing out the glaring inconsistencies. With every question, the man’s story unraveled further, until Berk delivered the now-famous verdict: “You’re full of sh*t.”
The confrontation, recorded and shared online, went viral almost immediately. For veterans and service members watching, it was equal parts frustrating and hilarious. The impostor’s attempts to pass as a soldier were laughable, but Berk’s cool, pointed takedown was a moment of vindication for everyone who takes pride in wearing the uniform correctly.
The impostor was later charged with impersonating a military officer, but for the military community, the real victory was the camaraderie and humor born from the incident.
Ten years later, the Oxford Valley Mall incident remains a hallmark of stolen valor lore. It’s a reminder that integrity matters—and that trying to fake military service is always a terrible idea.
So this Black Friday, as you navigate the chaos of packed stores and online deals, take a moment to laugh at this iconic moment.
Happy Black Friday, and here’s to a decade of laughing at one of the most absurd moments in stolen valor history!
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