Posted on May 6, 2014
Should veteran status be reserved for those who have deployed?
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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: 653
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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CPT David Tanner
Thank you for your service. You always will have my respect and you are and will always be an Army Veteran.
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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.
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
Having Spent 1961 - 1965 Totally Unscathed...
The Entire 4 Years Of My Enlistment.
THEN I Made The Mistake Of Going To Our VA Medical Facilities..(Around 1997)
Due To MULTIPLE Errors...~ WRONG Diagnosis ~ WRONG Medications ~
MIS-Diagnoses ~ A Couple Days Short Of A MONTH In The Hospital After EMERGENCY SURGERY ....Damned Nearly DIED ~(Literally).....And With YEARS Being Disabled, DUE To THEIR Screw-Ups... GUESS WHAT?.....I've Been TRYING To File & Get A Disability For
WELL OVER 15 YEARS.... ZERO Assistance Form Our Local VA Staff..... Don't Bother Offering suggestions... I've Gone From The PRESIDENTS Office In Washington DC~
Down To Our Local "Veterans Assistant AT he VA Medical Facility"..... "Been THERE ~ Done THAT" .....A LOT Of Referrals ~ DONE?..Well, I "Ain't" Got No Check ~
And I'll Most Likely Be DEAD Before That Happens ~ Turning 80 On 06/29/2024...
The Entire 4 Years Of My Enlistment.
THEN I Made The Mistake Of Going To Our VA Medical Facilities..(Around 1997)
Due To MULTIPLE Errors...~ WRONG Diagnosis ~ WRONG Medications ~
MIS-Diagnoses ~ A Couple Days Short Of A MONTH In The Hospital After EMERGENCY SURGERY ....Damned Nearly DIED ~(Literally).....And With YEARS Being Disabled, DUE To THEIR Screw-Ups... GUESS WHAT?.....I've Been TRYING To File & Get A Disability For
WELL OVER 15 YEARS.... ZERO Assistance Form Our Local VA Staff..... Don't Bother Offering suggestions... I've Gone From The PRESIDENTS Office In Washington DC~
Down To Our Local "Veterans Assistant AT he VA Medical Facility"..... "Been THERE ~ Done THAT" .....A LOT Of Referrals ~ DONE?..Well, I "Ain't" Got No Check ~
And I'll Most Likely Be DEAD Before That Happens ~ Turning 80 On 06/29/2024...
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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.
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