What's Your Definition of A Military Veteran?

2015-12-13T19:34:45-05:00

I came across a great article on the definition of a Military Veteran, I agree with the article.
My personal view of a Veteran is Duty Honor Country, selfless service and serving honorably, faithfully to the Nation during and after service.

Over the years I’ve heard many ideas of what people think a veteran is and what they had to do to get this status. Some people with an honorable discharge do not think they are a veteran because they only served for two years, did not serve in combat or were not injured in the service. Women and people who served honorably in the National Guard and Reserves are often unsure of their status.
I must say the definition of exactly what it takes to be a veteran is not an easy question to answer. I will do my best to give you an idea of the definition of veteran from the perspective of the Department of Veterans Affairs. If you are in doubt and you have served in uniform, please call our office.
Under federal law, a veteran is any person who served honorably on active duty in the armed forces of the United States. Discharges marked “general and under honorable conditions” also qualify. Other qualifying events are any person who served in the active military, naval or air service of the United States and was discharged from the service due to a service-connected disability or filed a claim and was service-connected for a disability sustained while in the service.
For example, a person could go into the service and injure themselves while in basic training and receive a service-connected disability rating from the VA. They would be considered a veteran no matter how long they served.
Certain veterans of the Philippine Commonwealth Army identified as scouts who served between Dec. 7,1941, and Jan. 1, 1947, are considered veterans of the United States.
Members of the National Guard and Reserves may be considered veterans if they were deployed under Title 10 (Federal Orders) and complete that deployment and are issued a DD-214 (discharge) under honorable conditions. People who just serve in the National Guard and Reserve without a federal deployment are usually not eligible for veterans benefits, unless they were injured during their basic or advanced training or while on weekend drill or the two-week summer training. They must have reported the injury, filed a claim with the VA, and been rated as disabled for that injury.
Other types of people considered veteran are those who served as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, the Environmental Science Services Administration or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or its predecessor the Coast and Geodetic Survey. These individuals would have a document similar to a DD-214 as proof of this service.
Eligibility for veteran’s benefits also depends on the character of the discharge. There is honorable, general under honorable conditions, other than honorable, bad conduct and dishonorable. Normally only honorable and general under honorable conditions will qualify the veteran for benefits. An uncharacterized discharge may also qualify the veteran, but it is up to the VA and is handled on a case-by-case basis.
Officers cannot receive a dishonorable discharge. If they are demoted in rank at a court-martial, they are given an officer’s discharge that is equal to a dishonorable discharge. There is also an entry-level separation given usually within the first 180 days for medical or other reasons. Most times the person is not considered a veteran.

Veterans should never take it for granted that their discharge if not honorable would preclude them from benefits from the VA. The wise thing to do is to apply for them unless the character is bad conduct or dishonorable.
There is also a process to apply to have the discharge upgraded. This process should take place within three years of discharge, and the veteran should have a rationale for claiming that the discharge should have been honorable. The services have in the past rated people with personality disorders that were found later to be post-traumatic stress disorder. This usually occurred after the service member returned from a combat tour and had trouble dealing with the authority back in the home unit. Service members who have had this experience should contact our office and let us look into the matter.

http://www.dailyrepublic.com/opinion/localopinioncolumnists/who-qualifies-as-a-veteran-anyway/

Who qualifies as a veteran, anyway?

Over the years I’ve heard many ideas of what people think a veteran is and what they had to do to get this status. Some people with an honorable discharge do not think they are a veteran because th...

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 13 at 2015 7:37 PM

2015-12-13T19:37:09-05:00

Someone who has passed Basic and AIT.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 13 at 2015 7:39 PM

2015-12-13T19:39:48-05:00

38 USC 101 "The term “veteran” means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable."

There's no minimum time. At that point, what benefits apply are dependent on a lot of things. That said, I think there's a continuum of how a 32 year Veteran might view a 32 day Veteran. Results will vary.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 13 at 2015 8:07 PM

2015-12-13T20:07:09-05:00

Yeah, this opinion will likely be unpopular: I like the roman definition for this, veterans have seen combat, they have been 'blooded.' This term distinguishes them from 'green' troops, whether serving actively or having separated from the military. It was even then something of a spectrum, with some troops "more veteran" than others. And men discharged still veterans who could be re-formed into armies as needed (kind of the model our founders used for militia....kind of).

The term has become political rather than military, and sadly more related to benefits than experience.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Dec 13 at 2015 9:20 PM

2015-12-13T21:20:13-05:00

Good article, nothing to add.

Response by SGT Brian Nile made Dec 13 at 2015 10:12 PM

2015-12-13T22:12:03-05:00

Sarge the article is on point!

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Dec 13 at 2015 10:43 PM

2015-12-13T22:43:30-05:00

That's easy... Me!!! :)

Response by SGT Robert R. made Dec 14 at 2015 6:09 AM

2015-12-14T06:09:43-05:00

I don't understand why this is a debatable issue. If you want benefits from the VA, this article defines the term veteran. To those combat veterans who think they are the only veteran, I believe they are elitists who are not on touch with those who provide support to them so they could do their job.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Dec 14 at 2015 6:53 AM

2015-12-14T06:53:47-05:00

Those who choose to serve. Self-less service if you have deployed or not it doesn't matter. Being part of the team, raising your hand and accomplishing enlistment. 1.5% of society choose to serve. No matter how long I consider that fact.

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Dec 14 at 2015 7:52 AM

2015-12-14T07:52:40-05:00

That explains it all the way. You couldn't of said it any better. I respect all who serve and get out without getting a BC discharge. We serve for many different reasons ( I.E. Some do it because there whole family serves, some really love this country and will defend it to there last breath, some do it out of honor ). There are to many reason to mention but allot of people have served and deserve the right to be called a military veteran.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Dec 14 at 2015 10:52 AM

2015-12-14T10:52:16-05:00

You are a veteran if you can look at this pic from D-Day, and your own bones hurt thinking of the patrols you pulled in Iraq, Afghanistan, or a myriad of other places world wide where the US military has a presence. You are a veteran if you rodger'd up to the call, served your time, and got out honorably. I believe that to the T, but with today's zero defect military, does getting out with the honorable have the same feeling as someone who did the same with no issues in their careers? Some of the stuff I see on troops being pushed out, makes me question it now.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Dec 14 at 2015 11:16 AM

2015-12-14T11:16:09-05:00

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL Haven't we flogged this question on myriad threads already?

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jan 7 at 2016 8:00 AM

2016-01-07T08:00:03-05:00

Duty, honor, country.

Response by CMSgt David Allen made Feb 3 at 2018 5:55 PM

2018-02-03T17:55:12-05:00

In my opinion, a military veteran is a person who has a DD 214 indicating separation under honorable conditions. Regardless the length of service, volunteer or draftee.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2022 5:50 AM

2022-07-02T05:50:54-04:00

My 2 cents:
I'm sitting here, once more deeply moved by the story of PVT Desmond Doss, who's true story of valor in the pacific theater of WW2 was told in the movie Hacksaw Ridge, which I just finished watching for the 3rd time.

PVT Doss (Died in March 2006) is one of my personal idols- even though I didn't even know about his story before I saw the film the 1st time. Why? Because he symbolizes something I've talked about before here at RP.

I'm not trying to preach here, but once again, as a soldier who served the majority of my 20+ years in the Medical Corps (w/ limited exposure to MI, as well as other support functions), I sincerely wish to emphasize to all of you who say only a "combat veteran" is a "real veteran" that you're sadly mistaken. Before those of you who are quick to judge others dump on veterans w/ "non-combat" MOS's, I recommend that you see that movie, which is an accurate description of PVT Doss's heroism. If his story doesn't move you to rethink your judgement of support personnel, well, there must be something wrong with you.

I personally probably have a C-130-size chip on my shoulder about this, because 1) I personally almost got blown to pieces in my "support" function, and 2) I'm sick and tired of people saying support personnel don't deserve to be considered "real veterans". If the true story of PVT Desmond Doss doesn't change your views on this, nothing will in my opinion.

Just felt a need to get this off my chest.

Rest in Peace Brother Doss!

Warriors Forever!
-Ed Boles