NAVY SUBMARINERS

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Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Calvin on December 24, 2011 at 12:07pm

Great video, thanks for sharing it with us.

Hope each of you and your guys and gals have a Very Merry Christmas.

Comment by Kenorian on December 24, 2011 at 11:35am

If you haven't seen this, it's brilliant.  My son knows some of the guys, and a few shots were from his boat, SS773, the Cheyenne.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL6uhaP_KSA

Comment by ctyankee on December 19, 2011 at 3:27pm

The act of "wearing" the medal isn't something that I'd expect that *anyone* would be prosecuted for... except the MoH -- That's simply be disrespectful and ... (nuf' said)  However, the act of deceiving an observer into believing that you were awarded a citation, is another story.

As a submariners **MOM** I can say that you would have a difficult time convincing anyone or even tricking them into believing you earned them.  That might change when females start serving in the silent service.  But for the time being, and as long as you're not trying to impersonate a submariner, I'd say you're fine to wear your son's dolphins as a proud Navy mom. (I'm not a lawyer)

If I were you, I'd probably not wear the dolphins anywhere the sub base, or anywhere you're likely to encounter working submariners (specifically your son's chain of command) -- and if a former submariner happens to stop you and inquire, then you have a handy conversation starter! :^)

All in all I'm a very strong believer in the 1st Amendment, and as long as you're not using the medal to fraudulently obtain benefits or services, then it's your 1st Amendment right to wear them.  After all that's one of the freedoms that our government and military is dedicated to protecting!!!

---

I read the text of the SVA, and it required the counterfeiting, false representation or other overt acts.  If you always claim the dolphins to be your' son's then I don't see how you'd be able to violate an unconstitutional law.

HOOYA!

Comment by Pete Ziolkowski on December 19, 2011 at 2:17pm

This made me curious so I did a quick search.  The stolen valor act of 2006 did make it illegal to wear or claim medals worn by the military.  In looking at Wikipedia it appears that the constitutionality of the law has been challenged in a couple of states.  I would think though that possessing a medal if you don't claim to have earned it or aren't going to wear it has to be legal because people collect medals and medals earned by deceased members of the military are kept by their families. 

Comment by Leonard on December 19, 2011 at 7:30am

Cheri, I don't know about the "legality" of a civilian wearing the insignia.  I can say that my son gave me the dolphins he was pinned with after he bought another pin.  It was the highest honor he could have bestowed upon his father, and I wouldn't even THINK of wearing them.  It's not just a decoration, it is a symbol of achievement that is worn so that other's will immediately know what you have achieved.

I can understand that a mother would want others to know what her son has achieved.  I can also believe that some mothers might not think about whether or not it was inappropriate to wear the symbol of their son's achievement.  From my point of view, the "legality" is just what some lawyer said, and is not nearly as important as what my son or his shipmates would think.  I believe that tradition and honor should be respected and placed above your own gratification.

Comment by Thomas Mackie on December 17, 2011 at 8:12pm

I get my submariner home wednesday! Home for christmas!

Comment by Scott L. Waller on December 17, 2011 at 12:26pm

Thanks Randy. Enjoy both your sons being home during the Christmas holiday's. I hope that everone is able to have their sailors home for the holidays.

Comment by Randy Leeper on December 17, 2011 at 10:58am

Scott,

   Congrats to you son! What an accomplishment! My son the submariner came home yesterday and he was wearing his uniform and buy did those Dolphins look great. We get our other son home on Sunday. Planning a large family & friends turkey dinner. Can't wait! Hope you all have your sailors home for Christmas. Randy

Comment by Scott L. Waller on December 16, 2011 at 10:59pm

My son getting his Dolphins pinned on!

Comment by Scott L. Waller on December 15, 2011 at 11:09pm

Thanks Dan, my son was promoted last May to Petty Officer 3rd Class FT3  And congats to you and your son.

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