Posted on May 6, 2014
Should veteran status be reserved for those who have deployed?
208K
3.59K
969
337
336
1
This one has come up a lot in conversations with my peers and Soldiers: Should you be allowed to claim veterans status if you have never deployed?
Personally, I'm an ROTC graduate who chose to go straight into the ARNG in 2011, knowing full well that my chances to deploy would be next to none with the changing op tempo. Realistically, had I been actively searching out a deployment the whole time, I still may not have gotten one. I'm sure there are Soldiers out there who served honorably in a reserve component without deploying, despite their best efforts. So, for example, should a Soldier who completed basic training, had a clean service record, excelled in their peer group, but ultimately served 10 years as a reservist with no deployment and less than 180 days on non-ADT active service be prevented from calling themselves a veteran?
I have my own thoughts, but I'm more interesting in hearing your opinions. For clarification, I'm speaking more towards the legal definition of veterans status - even if the laws were changed here, there would still be an immense difference between a legal veteran and a legal veteran with several deployments, combat experience, decades on active duty, or a combination of all three.
Personally, I'm an ROTC graduate who chose to go straight into the ARNG in 2011, knowing full well that my chances to deploy would be next to none with the changing op tempo. Realistically, had I been actively searching out a deployment the whole time, I still may not have gotten one. I'm sure there are Soldiers out there who served honorably in a reserve component without deploying, despite their best efforts. So, for example, should a Soldier who completed basic training, had a clean service record, excelled in their peer group, but ultimately served 10 years as a reservist with no deployment and less than 180 days on non-ADT active service be prevented from calling themselves a veteran?
I have my own thoughts, but I'm more interesting in hearing your opinions. For clarification, I'm speaking more towards the legal definition of veterans status - even if the laws were changed here, there would still be an immense difference between a legal veteran and a legal veteran with several deployments, combat experience, decades on active duty, or a combination of all three.
Reserves
Army National Guard
Deployment
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 656
460
460
0
You signed the Dotted Line, You were eligible to go anywhere, anytime. You trained to serve your country in an emergency, You are a Veteran. Just because there was no call for you to deploy is not your fault. Now if you served during wartime you are eligible for the American Legion, If you deployed to Theater during wartime you can join the VFW. I belong to both.
(460)
(0)
(1)
(0)
SFC William Fowle
SPC Robert Tuller - there is also a tour of 30+ days to Korea. It is codified in the VFW Charter. We have a few VFW members in my Post that only went to Korea.
(1)
(0)
SPC Robert Tuller
SCPO Lloyd Sikes - You say that you didn't "Deploy!" You stated that you did a West Pac and 3 runs on SSBN's and you retired on an SSBN. I consider them deployments because you left your home base in a SSBN.
(0)
(0)
441
441
0
I spent 12 years serving my country, and now some one says that because I didn't deploy overseas to a "combat" zone that I am not a veteran. Just exactly where does this crap come from? I am proud of my service and despite what anyone says I am and will remain a veteran. Of all the things that can be taken from me, however, my veterans status isn't one of them.
(441)
(0)
A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
PFC Kathleen Woolrich -
This Is Another Situation Where
"THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH"
Is A HUGE Understatement.....
But At Present ~ I Cant Find The Better Words He Deserves.
This Is Another Situation Where
"THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH"
Is A HUGE Understatement.....
But At Present ~ I Cant Find The Better Words He Deserves.
(0)
(0)
CPT David Tanner
Thank you for your service. You always will have my respect and you are and will always be an Army Veteran.
(0)
(0)
SFC William Fowle
A Veteran is anyone that signed up and served, even if they served without the NDSM.
A Veteran eligible for the VFW is one who served in a recognized combat zone, such as Vietnam, Korea, The gulf wars, and a few other specific assignments.
A Veteran eligible for the VFW is one who served in a recognized combat zone, such as Vietnam, Korea, The gulf wars, and a few other specific assignments.
(0)
(0)
393
393
0
SFC William Fowle
I've had multiple surgical procedures at my VA Hospital, over the past 30+ years. Apparently, it depends on when and where you go to the VA for treatment. I have had excellent care from my various Drs at the White River Junction VT Hospital. Many of the Drs come from the Medical School at Dartmouth College.
(0)
(0)
A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
SFC William Fowle -
EXACTLY ~~ As In Any Group Of People Anywhere.
It All Depends Upon How They See Things, Are The Good At What They Do, And Enjoying Their Work, Or Just Showing Up For A Pay Check?
My Brother Mike, Now Deceased, Used The DAYTON, OHIO VA, And Would Brag To Me About How Great They Are, Sometime Just To Pizz Me Off, Because He Was Well Aware Of The One Out Here Which Damned Neatly Killed Me Due To Multiple Errors. LOL ~~ But I Fooled Those SOB's ~ I SURVIVED
EXACTLY ~~ As In Any Group Of People Anywhere.
It All Depends Upon How They See Things, Are The Good At What They Do, And Enjoying Their Work, Or Just Showing Up For A Pay Check?
My Brother Mike, Now Deceased, Used The DAYTON, OHIO VA, And Would Brag To Me About How Great They Are, Sometime Just To Pizz Me Off, Because He Was Well Aware Of The One Out Here Which Damned Neatly Killed Me Due To Multiple Errors. LOL ~~ But I Fooled Those SOB's ~ I SURVIVED
(0)
(0)
PO2 Stephen Cline
A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney - I hear where you are coming from. The VA is the pits. First time went to a VAMC was in 1978 for a service related injury. Spent all day there, finally saw a Doctor for all of 5 minutes. A week later I received a letter from them telling not to come back. I didn't until 2002 been fighting with them every since. They nearly killed me twice treating me for high blood pressure a condition I didn't have. They just assumed I had I high BP when I had the exact opposite Low BP. Then you have their ever changing policies and quacks for doctors.
(1)
(0)
A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
You Can't Believe This If You Want, And It Makes No Difference, But It IS True:
Different Times, Of Course, But I've Had 1 Of The Doctors At The VA Ask Me To Do Him A Favor... (paraphrased,But Accurate As All "L")~~ "SUE The VA" ! ~ But Here's His Explanation; " We Know We Have Serious Problems, But When We Doctors, Or Staff Members Tell The VA About It, We're Ignored: But If A Vet Speaks Out & Files A Complaint Or Sues Them ~ Only THEN Is Anything Done". ~~ Another, When I Asked "Why Is The Care Out Hers So Lacking"? This One Said "We Tend To Hire Anyone Whom Applies For Employment Because We're Understaffed,And We Need Someone To Fill A Position" ~~ A PA Stated "We Have About 4 MILLION People Living Here In Vegas, And Many Are Good Physicians, But They Don't WANT To Work Here Because Of Our Reputation, And They Don't Want To Be Known As A "VA Doctor".
I've Filed Several Times While Asking They Be Investigated, With Not As Much As 1 Reply
Different Times, Of Course, But I've Had 1 Of The Doctors At The VA Ask Me To Do Him A Favor... (paraphrased,But Accurate As All "L")~~ "SUE The VA" ! ~ But Here's His Explanation; " We Know We Have Serious Problems, But When We Doctors, Or Staff Members Tell The VA About It, We're Ignored: But If A Vet Speaks Out & Files A Complaint Or Sues Them ~ Only THEN Is Anything Done". ~~ Another, When I Asked "Why Is The Care Out Hers So Lacking"? This One Said "We Tend To Hire Anyone Whom Applies For Employment Because We're Understaffed,And We Need Someone To Fill A Position" ~~ A PA Stated "We Have About 4 MILLION People Living Here In Vegas, And Many Are Good Physicians, But They Don't WANT To Work Here Because Of Our Reputation, And They Don't Want To Be Known As A "VA Doctor".
I've Filed Several Times While Asking They Be Investigated, With Not As Much As 1 Reply
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google