In this screenshot from a satirical video, an AI-generated airman reacts to a bogus Defense Department memo banning uniforms on social media. (The Vanguard Wall Podcast)

The Defense Department has shot down a fake memo circulating online that purports to warn service members about “unauthorized use” of their uniforms on social media.

The undated memo, which claimed the approval of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, warns that “all service members are prohibited from posting content in uniform for personal branding, monetization, entertainment or social media growth without explicit written approval from their unit’s Public Affairs Office.”

The fake memo bears the DOD seal and purports to originate from the “Office of Military Standards and Ethics.”

However, no such office exists, according to widely disseminated emails that originated last week from Jade Fulce, a Pentagon spokeswoman for personnel and readiness.

Official guidance on social media simply states that whenever an individual is identified as a service member, directly or indirectly, that individual is considered a representative of the service and must act accordingly, said an email that was sent to some sailors on Friday.

The fake memo excoriated service members who treat their uniform as a “costume.”

“Using it to build a following, chase internet clout, or promote personal narratives is a direct insult to the profession of arms and the Americans who trust us to defend them,” the fictitious order reads.

The fake memo prompted military-focused satire websites, including The Vanguard Wall Podcast, to post a video created with artificial intelligence of fictional military influencers reacting to the news.

“How am I supposed to monetize myself now?” one of the AI-generated character laments. “I just bought an Audi — the uniform is the brand.”