"War" veteran or not?

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 04:54:10 -0400

I was in during Desert Storm and I have the national defense medal. My papers list me as a "Gulf War Veteran". I have never considered my self as a Gulf War Vet or refered to myself as such since I was never there. I don't think its right.

Do you think one who is in during a war, but not over there fighting it, is a "veteran" of that war or just a veteran?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 31 at 2014 6:32 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 06:32:51 -0400

I was in OBC during Desert Storm when I got mine - go figure. SFC Chris Smith and SFC Mark Merino make excellent points on the topic - you were ready to go if called and the VA recognizes you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2014 7:20 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 07:20:42 -0400

There are thousands like you that were graduating boot camp during the war, don't fret, you just meet the time requirements of being a serving soldier during a time of war. There are thousands of veterans that never got to Vietnam but they are still Vietnam vets on the books.

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Aug 31 at 2014 7:42 AM

PFC Zanie Young — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 07:42:08 -0400

I know the feeling. I am a veteran who was in during that war who did not fight. I was in Korea at the time. I still get confused when I am called a "war veteran", just because I, too, have a NDSM. The VA actually calls us "Gulf War Era" veterans and that is just as confusing. The reason I got that medal in the first place is because I was Regular Army serving overseas at the time of war. I don't even buy the hats or shirts with that on it.

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Aug 31 at 2014 12:05 PM

Cpl Dennis F. — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 12:05:47 -0400

Just a veteran. The Vietnam "era" vet thing kinda pisses me off. I have a couple era friends that have asked my advice on hats saying "Viet vet". They have complied with my wishes. If you can't scrape it off of your boots...you weren't!

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Aug 31 at 2014 12:12 PM

Cpl Dennis F. — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 12:12:31 -0400

National Defense medal? Are we talking the "fire watch" ribbon, that everyone got, who showed up for RVN?

Response by Cpl Michael Strickler made Aug 31 at 2014 12:18 PM

Cpl Michael Strickler — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 12:18:05 -0400

The way I look at it is like this now, and it applies to all branches:

You walked through the door and (edit: held not help) up your hand. You are a veteran of the American Armed Forces.

If you did so during war time (regardless of your occupation specialty) you are a war veteran. Though it may not be likely there was still a chance you would be grabbed from the supply closet under the pentagon and shipped to a war zone with a rifle in your hand, because face it, if they need bodies they are more likely to grab you than justin beiber...

The tricky one is combat veteran. Personally I feel that you only rate that when you have been 'shot at' in some form (ied, mortar, direct, captured, etc.) because that is an actual action.

Though I feel both the war status and combat status are equal; it could have happened to any of us, not just those that left the wire. We were all there. Had our 'enemy' been more organized, equipped, etc. they could have stormed the bases or other actions that got more of the war veterans involved more actively.

And I remember talking to one of my buddies who got a small scrape after an IED attack who felt he did not deserve the Purple Heart. I told him hey, first of all, you got hurt. No matter how slight, that is what it is for. And second, IMO more importantly, you not only wear that as the one who got hurt. You wear that as a service member that has put himself in harms way, taken that harm, and come out the other side. You are in a long line of those who not only stared fear in the eye like the rest of us, but you stared fear death in the eye and kept pumping. Despite the severity you represent the warrior spirit that has made this military the greatest in the world. Wear it to remind those around you that courage is not just running towards bullets, it is coming back for more.

...sorry that is a little long. kinda did a bit of a rant, but I hope that helps someone else understand that their sacrifice wasn't for nothing...

Response by LTC Paul Heinlein made Aug 31 at 2014 2:46 PM

LTC Paul Heinlein — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 14:46:20 -0400

I think you are a Veteran of that era, the fact that you did not get sent there should not diminish your service to our nation, its just the luck of the draw.

Response by Cpl Peter Martuneac made Aug 31 at 2014 3:47 PM

Cpl Peter Martuneac — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 15:47:22 -0400

Whatever makes you comfortable. If you want to call yourself that, then you should because on the official side, you do indeed rate that title. But if it would make you feel phony, then keep doin what you're doin. My personal opinion: if you didn't visit the region in question (Gulf War, Afghanistan, Vietnam, etc), it'd probably be best to just say "vet" without throwing the nation or region in front of it.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2014 7:46 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 19:46:13 -0400

Sgt Packy Flickinger I am in pretty much the same boat. Vietnam-Era but as I have stated here on more than occasion, it matters not unless you are claiming combat status. Myself, I was a Meteorologist in the Air Force and would never equate that combat but did work in the command post at Ramstein AB, Germany during the Cold War. I was in 74-85.

Again I do not take it personally and I don't worry about it.

Response by LCpl A. Chapman made Sep 1 at 2014 12:42 PM

LCpl A. Chapman — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 12:42:34 -0400

I agree with referring to oneself as just "vet" if someone does not actually go on a tour to a warzone.

Response by SGT Philip Zobel made Sep 1 at 2014 2:46 PM

SGT Philip Zobel — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 14:46:39 -0400

Good question. There is a fine line here. I believe that we are all veterans. We all stepped up to the plate when others didn't; but the proper veteran titles should be reserved for those who have been face to face with combat. We have all been impacted by war in some way. Whether it's family, a personal friend, or one of our brothers and sisters in arms.

Response by CW2 Jonathan Kantor made Sep 2 at 2014 4:46 AM

CW2 Jonathan Kantor — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 04:46:45 -0400

You are definitely a veteran, but not having served there, I wouldn't call you a 'Gulf War Vet'

I wouldn't consider the many Soldiers who are serving with me without deployment patches as being veterans of OIF or OEF. None of them would either.

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made Sep 2 at 2014 9:04 AM

SSG Mike Angelo — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 09:04:45 -0400

In the 1990s during our Somalia event, there were military assistance groups that went over, in theater for 6 month rotation and didn't get squat due to TDY papers. That's how the DoD gets over. Deployment, TDY, overseas tour...call it what ever...there is no equity. Personally, if you go over there, to Africa, Middle East, SW Asia, old Yugoslavia...you are there, you did your job and came home. Coming home is the prize. Now get a job, raise a family and stay busy.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Sep 2 at 2014 10:53 AM

Maj Chris Nelson — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 10:53:44 -0400

My personal thought is that you would be a Desert Storm ERA vet as you did not deploy to the region in conflict. Vietnam ERA vs. Vietnam Vet (went to Vietnam), OEF/OIF ERA vs. OEF/OIF Vet (went to respective theater). ERA sets a time stamp of service that is easily recognized. I have been deployed to all 3.... took incoming scuds in Deserts Storm (never saw direct fire action), Took incoming indirect fire in Iraq (again, never saw direct fire action), and took indirect fire in Afghanistan (again, never pulled trigger on my bang stick). I consider myself a combat vet of all 3 as I was in the theater of operations, HOWEVER, I also tell people that while I am a combat vet, I was never involved in direct combat.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Sep 2 at 2014 3:01 PM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 15:01:17 -0400

I would say just a Vet. Combat Veteran is a different class. If you go and serve in the theater then to me by definition that is what you would be. However I was classed the same but with one word difference even though I was there. Gulf War Era.

Response by SSG William Patton made Sep 2 at 2014 3:27 PM

SSG William Patton — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 15:27:39 -0400

Anyone in the military service during a time of conflict is a veteran of that war era and only the luck of the draw on orders determines who goes to a combat zone and who does not. Some volunteer and others have an MOS that makes it more likely they will have to go into combat, but regardless, even cooks, and administrative types died in Vietnam as a result of hostile action. If the war had continued at the pace it was when I entered country, many more than two million would have served and the Wall would have more names on it.

Response by PFC Erich Hesse made Sep 2 at 2014 7:13 PM

PFC Erich Hesse — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 19:13:27 -0400

My Father was a Marine in The Vietnam Era. Since he did not go to Vietnam (his brother was already over there), he rarely even considers himself a Veteran. On the other hand, I myself was in Kuwait during Enduring Freedom, guarding the Southern No-Fly Zone of Iraq, I never saw combat, but I am in the same boat, I am considered an OEF veteran.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Sep 2 at 2014 10:42 PM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 22:42:46 -0400

I thank you all for your responses.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2014 9:39 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 09:39:56 -0400

You are a Gulf War era veteran as you served during that era. Those who who deployed and participated in the Desert Storm campaign are Gulf War veterans.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2014 6:00 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 18:00:03 -0400

What the VA calls "Gulf War Era" veteran and being a Gulf War Veteran are distinguished by that Southwest Asia Campaign Medal.

It doesn't matter to me though, I respect any and all who stood up and served, peace time, war time, doesn't matter. People who served but didn't deploy should still be proud of their service for what it is. Thank you for yours, Marine.

Response by SPC Walter Baucom made Jan 19 at 2015 10:10 AM

SPC Walter Baucom — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 10:10:13 -0500

I was deployed over there for 14 months and ended up in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait. And I believe there is a difference between someone who went, and someone who remained in garrison.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 6:36 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 18:36:19 -0500

I served at Kadena AB, Okinawa in 64-65. Job was munitions Line Delivery. Received, assembled, stored and sometimes assisted in loading munitions on 18th TAC Ftr Wng F-105"s, which flew combat missions into Laos and Cambodia. Volunteered and was refused to go to VN. No boots on the ground, but neither did Navy guys on ships doing the same thing I did. So am I a VN vet or a VN era vet. I would trade all my ribbons and decoration to be eligible for the Vietnam Service Medal. The only things I have to show I served during the Vietnam war are the AF Outstanding unit ribbon (2), AF Longevity, National Service ribbon and expert shooters ribbon. The AF didn't even award me the Long Tour overseas ribbon (18months on the rock). Any help?