In military theory, there is a ratio called ‘T-to-T’, or ‘Tooth to Tail’. It is the ratio of how many men are in combat compared to how many men are in supported roles.
Everyone is in uniform. Everyone is a veteran, but their stories/experience is vastly different.
After World War II, there was a standard question asked by fictional children in fictional families. ‘What did you do in the war, Daddy?’ Many refused to talk about it, for different reasons.
Of the 16 million men in uniform, only 4 million experienced some level of combat, and only about 1 million experienced regular combat. Everyone is a soldier, but with vastly different experiences. Most people ask about stories concerning combat.
So what do 15 million veterans say? Hopefully, they tell the truth of limited action, or no action at all. Silence can imply possible horrid action.
Today, ‘Stolen Valor’ is more often defined as individual who dresses in uniform, displaying rank and ribbons, in order to get free coffee at Starbucks. It is rampant on YouTube and TikTok.
Most of the WWII soldiers have died now, but that ratio may even be larger for the current military. The more industrial nations have higher military support needs. Some say that for every 1 soldier there are 5 or 6 soldiers in non-combat support.
When you see someone in uniform, for a nation at war, there is even a greater chance they have never heard a bullet coming in their direction. Still a soldier, still serving, and still a veteran. The cost may be different.
I’m a veteran. If I was on a jury panel with other veterans, and asked to answer ‘yes or no’ to the question of ‘Have you ever been in a firefight?’ My answer may be important to either side of the litigation. I would have said yes. Next to me, the veteran Marine in Iraq would have said yes, next to him the Navy ensign from Vietnam would have said yes. But the depth of our combat could have been vary different.
I was shaken out of bed to an alert, ‘Intruder is inside the wire’. I was in Korea. We armed up, I had a Browning .50 caliber. We went to the south chain link fence. Sharp gunfire from an AK-47 went slightly over our heads. We returned fire. The combination of M16s and several Brownings actually cut the chain link fence down. Severed most of the links. When we inspected the debris we found traces of blood, but no bodies. Most certainly they were Korean. Was it North Korean snipers, or South Korean thieves?
I am a veteran, I’ve been in a firefight, but my combat story I’d very different.
“Stolen valor is one instance of a broader pattern—where identity is constant, experience varies, and narrative pressure fills the gap.”
About johndiestler
Retired community college professor of graphic design, multimedia and photography, and chair of the fine arts and media department.
A Work Progressing 
Stolen Valor
In military theory, there is a ratio called ‘T-to-T’, or ‘Tooth to Tail’. It is the ratio of how many men are in combat compared to how many men are in supported roles.
Everyone is in uniform. Everyone is a veteran, but their stories/experience is vastly different.
After World War II, there was a standard question asked by fictional children in fictional families. ‘What did you do in the war, Daddy?’ Many refused to talk about it, for different reasons.
Of the 16 million men in uniform, only 4 million experienced some level of combat, and only about 1 million experienced regular combat. Everyone is a soldier, but with vastly different experiences. Most people ask about stories concerning combat.
So what do 15 million veterans say? Hopefully, they tell the truth of limited action, or no action at all. Silence can imply possible horrid action.
Today, ‘Stolen Valor’ is more often defined as individual who dresses in uniform, displaying rank and ribbons, in order to get free coffee at Starbucks. It is rampant on YouTube and TikTok.
Most of the WWII soldiers have died now, but that ratio may even be larger for the current military. The more industrial nations have higher military support needs. Some say that for every 1 soldier there are 5 or 6 soldiers in non-combat support.
When you see someone in uniform, for a nation at war, there is even a greater chance they have never heard a bullet coming in their direction. Still a soldier, still serving, and still a veteran. The cost may be different.
I’m a veteran. If I was on a jury panel with other veterans, and asked to answer ‘yes or no’ to the question of ‘Have you ever been in a firefight?’ My answer may be important to either side of the litigation. I would have said yes. Next to me, the veteran Marine in Iraq would have said yes, next to him the Navy ensign from Vietnam would have said yes. But the depth of our combat could have been vary different.
I was shaken out of bed to an alert, ‘Intruder is inside the wire’. I was in Korea. We armed up, I had a Browning .50 caliber. We went to the south chain link fence. Sharp gunfire from an AK-47 went slightly over our heads. We returned fire. The combination of M16s and several Brownings actually cut the chain link fence down. Severed most of the links. When we inspected the debris we found traces of blood, but no bodies. Most certainly they were Korean. Was it North Korean snipers, or South Korean thieves?
I am a veteran, I’ve been in a firefight, but my combat story I’d very different.
“Stolen valor is one instance of a broader pattern—where identity is constant, experience varies, and narrative pressure fills the gap.”
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About johndiestler
Retired community college professor of graphic design, multimedia and photography, and chair of the fine arts and media department.